Fiat Stilo Hatchback 2002 - 2007

The Stilo is Fiats swipe at the small family car market. This is an area brimming over with talent already and as such the Stilo has it's work cut out to make in impression. It looks good sat at the kerb and has some nice touches inside. Nicely equipped, it manages to remain keenly priced which should at least make it a contender.

The Stilo maintains the tradition of Italian flair that runs through the Fiat range. It looks lithe and sporty but manages to do so in a wholesome way, without any menace. Inside the finish is good with high quality materials used in many areas. The five door option is reasonably roomy and easy to live with. You'll struggle to get more than two adults in the back seat but they can travel in comfort. ty materials used in many areas. The five door option is reasonably roomy and easy to live with. The three door option is much less amenable and requires the flexibility of a gymnast, or a child, to get in the rear seats. The seats are supportive and comfortable front and back, although they can feel a little Spartan after a long journey. There a re nice picnic tables in the back of the front seats so that the kids in the back can doodle with ease or the adults can complete their sudoku puzzles. The boot space is good and the shape useful. There's room for luggage or shopping for all but the most extreme circumstances.

Driving the Stilo can is a case of pain or pleasure, and the two are not as close as the song would have you believe. The 1.9 JTD engine is a really rewarding motor. It offers decent levels of power from low down the rev range and keeps on pulling right through. The result is a car that is at home anywhere. It can be driven slowly or fast, as your needs, or desires, dictate. It does this while maintaining great levels of economy. The petrol options are much more of a mixed bag; starting with the 1.2L, which is designed especially for OAPs, or so it feels anyway. The 1.4 is better but still struggles if you take it out on the open road, and feels out of it's depth on the motorway. The 1.8 is quick and lively, but still needs to be worked too much to be really enjoyable, certainly over a long period of time. There is a five cylinder 2.4L option which is the fastest of the bunch with 0 - 60 in 8.2 seconds and top speed of 132 mph. This is offset by the running costs, which at 29 mpg is almost half that of the 53mpg 1.9 JTD.

The suspension is set up to deliver a good ride for the passengers and reasonable trip for the driver. The softly sprung suspension offers a pretty good ride but does suffer from the inevitable body roll that is customary with any car designed to soak up the bumps. There is a Schumacher set up option which is much more keenly set up for the road and handles much better than the standard models. It's the ride that sill prove to be the Fiat's weakest point when compared with it's peers as the superb Focus, Golf and Astra all offer a better driving experience.

The Stilo is a well put together car and will provide people who are less concerned with the whole driving experience, than getting somewhere else, an alternative to the establishment. They are keenly priced and the Schumacher option adds a nice touch of glamour to the list of options. Unlikely to have Ford getting too hot under the collar though.

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