Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet 16v Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Fiat Bravo 1.6 Multijet range
Prices: £16,350-£18,150 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 6-7
Emissions: 119-129g/km
Performance: [MultiJet 120] 0-60mph 10.2s / Max Speed 121mph
Fuel Consumption: [MultiJet 120] (urban) 44.8mpg /(extra urban) 68.8mpg / (combined) 57.6mpg
Safety: twin front/side/window airbags, driver’s knee airbag, ABS
Dimensions: length/width/height 4336/1792/1498mm

Green with Power

Our Rating: No Rating Available

Car buyers in the new millennium have become rather hard to surprise. Even entry level cars come with some gadgetry that one used to only expect in upper-level cars. Auto manufacturers have done their best to keep up with this type of expectation and many of them are going under the bonnet to offer something different than expected.

The latest Fiat Bravo is available with a 1.6 Multijet 16v that makes it one of the greenest cars its class. This engine alone will help Fiat beat many of most popular cars in the class. The 1.6 Multijet 16v allows the driver to feel good about their impact on the environment while getting good performance that doesn't cost too much.

Bravo offers the 1.6-litre diesel-powered Multijet in two power outputs of 105bhp or 120bhp. The main difference between the two engines is the way they are turbocharged. The lower of the two comes with a fixed vane charger and the 120bhp comes with a variable geometry blower. The difference is minute when it comes to performance. Off the line the smaller powered engine will get you from 0-60mph in 11 seconds while the larger gets there .8 seconds faster with top speeds of 116mph and 121mph respectively. Often the choice will be made simply by what the dealer has on the lot when you go for the purchase.

Both cars are equipped with six-speed manual gearboxes and come with Fiats Dualdrive electrical power assist steering. This allows the driver to change between two power steering settings depending on where they are driving.

Fuel economy is what sets this car apart from other cars with the same power. Both engines get a combined estimated mpg of 57.6 (44.8mpg urban/68.8 extra urban). There is an optional Eco pack offered that includes taller gears, better aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tires that brings the number for fuel consumption up to a staggering estimated 74.8mpg at extra urban speeds.

The Bravo has been armed with a bevy of safety features to keep everyone in the family safe. The Bravo has been given a five-start Euro NCAP crash test rating and comes standard with two front airbags, two front side airbags, two window airbags and a knee airbag for the driver. Under the hood the Bravo is fitted with anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and the latest version of the ESP stability control system. The ESP system has a function that includes an anti-slip regulator that will limit wheel spin in wet or icy conditions.

The interior has been designed with an easy to use control panel and brightly finished plastics. The interior has a luxurious quality to it that includes upgraded soft-touch plastics on the dashboard that many would not expect in a family-aimed car. If you were dropped inside you might think you were in a much more expensive car.

Styling on the exterior of the Fiat Bravo 1.4-litre T-Jet 150 has been upgraded from earlier models. Most people looking for a family hatch will be pleasantly surprised at the sporty vision that is the Fiat Bravo.

Fiat has certainly taken a few steps forward in rethinking the family hatchback. Most people expect to have to make sacrifices across the board when buying something to protect the family. The Bravo with the 1.6-litre Multijet 16v offers performance, style, economy and safety for less money than expected.