Like the 500X, the Fiat Tipo Cross is equipped with a new innovative micro-hybrid engine, even allowing you to drive briefly in all-electric mode. But does this justify the significant additional cost it claims?
Car tested: Fiat Tipo Cross 1.5 Turbo 130 hp Hybrid DCT7 RED
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From€29,290
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Arriving on the market in 2016 in the form of an almost “low cost” sedan, the Fiat Tipo quickly diversified its offer in order to best meet customer expectations. Compact 5-door and station wagon versions arrived after a few months of marketing, while last year the Italian set out to seduce SUV enthusiasts with a new Cross variant. The latter sports the full panoply of the apprentice adventurer, with its specific protections on the shields, the skirts and wheel arches, or even its roof bars, while its ground clearance is raised by 4 cm.
Today, this adventurer Tipo remains the only one available in the catalog on 5-door and station wagon bodies, while a 1.5 130 hp micro-hybrid engine is entering the range, alongside the 1.0 Firefly 100 hp and 130 hp 1.6 Multijet diesel. This new version stands out from other micro-hybrid systems by its ability to drive completely electric, but only at low speed and over very short distances. Note that it is necessarily associated with the DCT7 double clutch box.
Fiat Tipo Cross Hybrid Price
With an appeal price of €21,490 in the 100 hp 1.0 Firefly petrol version and Cross Pack finish, the Tipo Cross seems a far cry from the 2016 model, which could make Dacia customers hesitate (it then started at €12,490) . However, it is still one of the most affordable compacts on the market. At least in its gasoline variant, because the hybrid that interests us today claims a supplement of 5000 € and is displayed at a minimum of €26,490. It is true that the power difference is significant, while the automatic transmission is standard here. And thanks to its measured CO2 emissions, it is not penalized by the penalty.
The entry-level Cross Pack offers the union minimum and you will have to choose the Cross Plus level (+ €2,000), if you want to take advantage of the reversing camera, the adaptive regulator, the 10-inch central screen , automatic lights and wipers, and even 17-inch alloy wheels. Despite everything, this Tipo Cross Plus finally appears better equipped than the 500X RED tested very recently, while it is 1800 € less expensive with the same hybrid engine. Finally, the SW station wagon body needs to add an extra €1000, but it is not available with the first trim level.
Driving
The new engine offered by Fiat may well fall into the category of micro-hybrids, but it stands out for its ability to be able to operate in all-electric mode for short periods of time. This is possible thanks to the 20 hp electric motor, which is directly associated with the DCT7 dual-clutch gearbox. Fiat even announces that the thermal block would remain inactive for up to 47% of the time on the WLTP mixed cycle. Once behind the wheel, the reality appears different. And if this ability to ride in silence is true, it still requires keeping the foot very light and almost never lasts more than 100 meters. This Tipo Cross Hybrid will therefore be able to make the difference in zones 30 compared to other mild hybrids, but it is very far from offering the same driving experience as a full hybrid vehicle.
That the Tipo Hybrid calls for calm driving in urban areas to enjoy a minimum of the benefits of its electrification seems rather logical. Only, even once out of town, you shouldn’t hope too much to be able to push the pace. Blame it on the automatic gearbox, whose slowness and lack of responsiveness quickly calm the enthusiasm. Especially since the four-cylinder 1.5 Firefly Miller cycle is much more comfortable at low revs and is reluctant to climb the towers. Thus, this version may be the most efficient of the range on paper (0 to 100 km / h in 9.3 s), it is clearly not for its approval that we will choose it.
Fortunately, the Tipo retains certain qualities on the road, such as its suspension comfort which, although a little firm, is much better than that of the 500X, or even its healthy and balanced behavior. Without making sparks, the Tipo therefore remains overall a good companion to cut down the kilometers. But as much to be clear: the petrol and diesel versions appear to be much more recommendable choices than this hybrid, which will be reserved only for fans of the automatic transmission.
On board
Competition
Hard to find real rivals to this Fiat Tipo. If it is no longer really low cost by its prices, it stands out from other compacts by being only available in an adventurer version. A bit like the Citroën C4 which, among the “crossoverized” compacts, is the closest in terms of price, with a first price of €21,800. On the other hand, the latter does not have any hybridization.
The recently restyled Ford Focus still benefits from its Active finish and its 125 hp micro-hybrid engine, which can also run on E85. But the addition rises to €29,900, or even €31,900 if you choose the automatic transmission. Finally, for those who would like above all a compact hybrid and who benefit from a little financial margin, the best choice remains the Toyota Corolla (from 29,300 €). This has a full hybrid system that is much more convincing in use and will make it possible to make significant savings at the pump.
