Fiat Fiorino Review

Fiat Fiorino van comes in Cargo vs Combi versions, shared with the Citroen Nemo technology and Peugeot Bipper

Fiat Fiorino Cargo and Combi is a compact urban vehicle box provides a surprising amount of weight. Built Citroen Nemo and Bipper together with Peugeot, all three now use the 1.3-liter diesel MultiJet engine Fiat, although Fiat holds the most powerful 94bhp version for only its own van. Fiat Doblo sit under large van line-up, urban Fiorino van is an economy that offers fast performance and the ability to work through city traffic with ease. There is a type of passenger car MPV version too, called Fiat QUBO

The Fiorino is also available in Adventure form, with Fiat’s Traction+ electronic differential locking system, increased ground clearance and larger wheels for occasional off-road use – although there’s no Fiorino 4×4.

The Fiorino Combi offers a second row of seats that can be folded forwards to provide additional load space. The passenger seat in the regular Fiorino Cargo can also be folded flat, with a hinged-mesh bulkhead wrapping around the driver’s seat, to extend the load space for longer loads.

Standard spec models are pretty basic, but you do get steering height, lumbar support and seat height adjustment, radio/cd player, a nearside sliding side door, and electronic stability control with ABS and EBD, plus a speed limiter. The SX model adds central locking and deadlocks, electric windows and mirrors.

If you want ‘infotainment’, you need to spec up to the Tecnico, which comes with a TomTom touchscreen sat-nav.

MPG and Running Costs

Fiat offers a 1.4-litre petrol engine in the Fiorino, with 73bhp and combined fuel economy of 44.1mpg. However, the majority of buyers will opt for the 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engine, available in 74bhp and 94bhp versions.

The 74bhp engine can be ordered with stop-start, while the 94bhp engine has the technology fitted as standard, leading to a combined fuel figure of 65.7mpg for both versions with CO2 emissions of 113g/km. Without the stop-start option, the 74bhp diesel returns 62.8mpg.

The Fiorino drives through a standard five-speed manual gearbox to the front wheels, though an automated Comfort-Matic version is also available as an option with the 74bhp diesel engine. This provides automatic gear changes without the losses associated with a full automatic transmission.

While similar in footprint to car-derived light vans such as the Fiesta, the Fiorino delivers a much more competitive payload of up to 660kg, compared to just 500kg in the Ford. That’s similar to lighter versions of vans in the next class up, such as the Renault Kangoo and the Citroen Berlingo, making the Fiorino an ideal urban delivery van.

The Fiorino Combi provides the additional versatility of a second row of seats behind the driver. Available in two versions, the Combi offers M1 (car specification) seating for up to five people and a 175kg load capacity, or N1 (LCV) seating for four and up to 293kg of payload.

The rear seat can be folded or removed completely, to provide the full 2.5-cubic-metre load area of the Cargo version, if required. A ladder bulkhead is standard on Cargo models and the Fiorino can be supplied with a full-panel bulkhead or a bulkhead with a window. Roof bars are standard on the Adventure models, and optional on other vans. The Fiorino has a towing capacity of 1,300kg.

Reliability and Safety

The Fiorino comes with a driver’s airbag, ABS brakes with EBD electronic brakeforce distribution, and the ESP electronic stability programme is now standard-fit too. If you pick the Adventure package, you can also add the optional Traction+ system for awkward terrain.

Passenger and side airbags are available on the options list, while rear parking sensors can also be added, though they are standard on the Tecnico specification.
Fiat’s Fiorino, along with the Peugeot Bipper and Citroen Nemo, have been winning compact urban van awards since the trio were launched in 2008. There have been no major reliability issues, other than general wear and tear, and oil-change intervals are set at 21,000 miles. Fiat provides the van with a three-year/120,000-mile warranty.

Security

Aside from an ignition key and manual door locks, basic models in the Fiorino range come with little more than a locking petrol cap in the way of security. Deadlocks are standard from SX models up though, as is remote controlled central locking. An alarm system is optional across the range too.

Driving and Performance

The Fiorino is not intended as a long-distance motorway cruiser, though the van copes well with higher-speed inter-urban travel. Where it excels, however, is in town and on local country roads, where the compact dimensions, lively engine performance and quick steering make the Fiat an enjoyable van to drive.

The short wheelbase and load-carrying suspension can make the ride a bit choppy when unladen, but the Fiorino holds the road well. The five-speed manual gearbox is light and easy to use, while the Comfort-Matic automated gearbox makes reasonably smooth progress.
Though riding slightly higher, the Adventure model handles equally well and its Traction+ system provides extra grip if you need to tackle muddy lanes or construction site roads. It would also prove reassuring if you regularly drive in poor winter conditions.

Cab and Interior

Despite its compact dimensions, the Fiorino provides plenty of room for taller drivers. The standard van has a fairly minimalist interior, with hard and, in places, flimsy-looking plastics. The driver’s seat is supportive and comfortable for longer journeys, however, the optional fold-flat passenger seat is thin and can prove uncomfortable.

The basic Fiorino comes with a height-adjustable steering wheel, driver’s seat armrest and lumbar adjustment, a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a radio/CD player. The SX trim adds remote central locking, electric windows and mirrors, and a rear compartment lock in the cab. Opt for the Adventure model, and you get Traction+ with ESC electronic stability control, roof bars and larger wheels

There’s also a Tecnico version of the Fiorino, available only with the 75bhp diesel engine. This adds fog lights, reverse parking sensors, stop-start, air-conditioning, Blue&Me audio controls on the steering wheel, the folding passenger seat, Fiat’s Blue&Me infotainment system with ECO:Drive Professional, and a TomTom sat-nav with a powered mounting point in the top of the dash. The Sportivo model is similar to the Tecnico, but only comes with the bigger diesel option, and has standard alloy wheels so you have to pay extra for the sat-nav.

Source: motocar-news.com