Skip advert
Advertisement

Fiat Sedici 1.6

Stop to take pictures of a car in the UK and there's every chance you'll get beaten with a stick until you leave. Thanks to militant environmentalists and the 'not in my back yard' brigade, being associated with motors these days can mark you out as public enemy number one.

In isolation, the Sedici is a decent, honest car with fine dynamics and good off-road skills. But for all its qualities, its identity is in doubt. There's a blandness to the package that goes against current Fiat thinking. Tape over the badges and you could be in any small 4x4. In a brand we look to for flair regardless of price, that's hard to forgive.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Stop to take pictures of a car in the UK and there's every chance you'll get beaten with a stick until you leave. Thanks to militant environmentalists and the 'not in my back yard' brigade, being associated with motors these days can mark you out as public enemy number one.

Thankfully, this isn't the case in Italy, where pitching up in a new car - espec-ially one wearing a Fiat badge - guarantees you the kind of reception usually reserved for the return of long lost sons.

Today, though, things are different. Fiat's latest model - a joint venture with Suzuki - is causing a fuss among the Milanese bystanders. A supermini-cum-4x4, the Sedici is doing a most un-Italian thing: it's dividing opinion. And it's easy to see why. The firm may have had its fair share of joint ventures - the Ulysse and Croma, to name two recent projects - but when it comes to small cars, Italians like to think Fiat knows best.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Mokka Electric

2022 Vauxhall

Mokka Electric

20,107 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £12,300
View Mokka Electric
A-Class

2021 Mercedes

A-Class

35,660 milesManualPetrol1.3L

Cash £15,700
View A-Class
Crossland

2021 Vauxhall

Crossland

23,410 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £11,300
View Crossland
Polo

2020 Volkswagen

Polo

48,992 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £10,600
View Polo

The Sedici (it means 16 in Italian - ie 4x4) is due here in March, and sees Fiat enter yet another niche market. With the profile and interior space of a standard C-segment car (think Ford Focus) and the off-road ability of a junior 4x4 (Toyota RAV4), the newcomer is what's known in the industry as a 'crossover'.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In terms of exterior design, however, the Sedici is 100 per cent Italian. Both the Fiat and Suzuki versions of the car were penned by Giugiaro, and there's little to dislike about the smooth lines, neat proportions and tidy details. A bit more in the way of Fiat quirkiness would be welcome, but the looks are unlikely to scare any potential buyers off. Given Suzuki's reputation in the field of four-wheel-drive technology, the sturdiness of the Sedici's running gear should also be attractive. The system was designed and engineered by the Japanese firm, and offers a switchable function allowing you to select two-wheel drive, auto or diff-lock for serious mud-plugging.

As a result, the Sedici's four-wheel-drive badge is more than just a showroom gimmick. Unlike many sub-£20k off-roaders, the car has the hardware to back up the rough and ready looks. Indeed, over Fiat's off-road test route, the Sedici barely broke into a sweat.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Two engines will be offered from launch: a 107bhp 1.6-litre petrol unit and a 120bhp 1.9-litre Multijet turbodiesel. The former is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, while the latter gets a six-ratio manual transmission as standard. While only the petrol car was available for us to drive, the oil-burner will be the pick of the range. The petrol is free-revving and a smooth performer, but the superior torque and economy make the Multijet the better buy.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There's more good news inside. The fit and finish are first class, and although some of the plastics used - particularly those on the door trims - feel rather cheap, the switchgear has a slick operation and the panel gaps throughout are wafer thin. There's a distinctly Japanese flavour to the centre console and dashboard, but you can tell that it has all been built to last.

However, those buyers looking for any clever thinking inside will be disappointed. The seating system is as conventional as they come, and little effort has gone into differentiating the newcomer's cabin from the rest of the B and C-segment offerings.

Conventional also sums up the way the Sedici behaves on the open road. With struts up front and a torsion beam at the back, the car corners tidily and without drama. Body control in bends is particularly impressive considering the higher-than-average centre of gravity. Sharp, precise steering and powerful brakes complete the dynamic package.

Fiat is remaining tight-lipped about pricing and spec, and this will be key to the Sedici's success in the UK's already overcrowded market. If the car arrives at around the £11,000-£12,000 mark, it will represent excellent value. Should that figure creep up to £14,000, it will face a much harder challenge.

PAGE 28: Panda Cross driven

Skip advert
Advertisement

More reviews

In-depth reviews

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £15,800
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,499 off RRP*Used from £10,695
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,364 off RRP*Used from £8,595
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,919 off RRP*Used from £14,800
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025