Fiat Bravo 2.0 M-Jet 165 CV Super Sport, road test (part III)

Having seen that the engine performs extraordinarily well and that the interior and exterior design meets expectations, we now move on to the equipment and its value for money.

As we have already mentioned, we tested the most powerful engine, the 2.0 M-Jet 165 CV with Super Sport trim, which is the only one available. The base price stands at 21,510 euros, although it is always advisable to add a few extras to improve on-road comfort or to have more safety aids. At the end of the article we will discuss the equipment of the unit we tested.

Equipment

We can speak of a fairly high level of standard safety equipment, although there are optional extras that are worth considering carefully given their function in the event of an accident and their price.

It comes with 6 airbags as standard (driver and front passenger, front and rear head airbags and front side airbags), and the driver’s knee airbag is optional at 130 euros. It also comes as standard with anti-lock braking (ABS), electronic stability control (ESP) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD), with fog lights with cornering function and hill start assist (Hill Holder). All standard.

What is not included in the pack are the front anti-whiplash headrests (100 euros) and the third rear headrest (75 euros), which is open to criticism given that it is sold as a five-seater. Xenon headlights are recommended at 650 euros extra. The rear seats have 3-point Isofix anchorages.

In the EuroNCAP tests carried out in 2007 (performed on the 1.9 Multijet Dynamic), it obtained a five-star rating for adults, four for children and two for pedestrians, and its predecessor had already achieved four stars for adults. Nowadays all manufacturers focus their efforts on offering the maximum safety in their cars, and a model that does not achieve this will very likely have many points against it when being evaluated as a possible purchase.

Straight from the factory and without any additional extras it comes quite well equipped. Our unit had as extras metallic paint (410 euros), the third rear headrest (75 euros), rear electric windows (195 euros), DPF particulate filter (845 euros) and rear parking sensors (295 euros). As I mentioned earlier, I do not understand that in a vehicle sold as seating five adults, the rear headrest is an optional extra, and even more so at 75 euros, a figure more symbolic than real.

The new Blue&Me system of the Fiat group is very convenient. As well as including Bluetooth connectivity as standard for connecting mobile devices, it allows you to plug in a USB stick with music on the USB reader and play songs, without having to sacrifice a CD each time you want to update the music (I know there are rewritable discs, but they never end up being used). One thing I did not like is that when playing music from the USB stick, it is not possible to change folder and/or song from the radio itself and only from the steering wheel, increasing the possible distractions for the driver.

It was also equipped with the new EcoDrive application, which saves data to a USB stick via the USB slot, and it is possible to view fuel consumption data, mileage and score that the car gives according to the driving performed. The scoring system is quite interesting from an informational standpoint and reliable, although the average consumption data are not. For 1,500 kilometres it indicated an average of 12.3 l/100 km and nearly 300 euros of fuel expense, when in reality the average consumption never rose above 9 l/100 km and I spent roughly half that on fuel.

Overall assessment

I do not think we are looking at the perfect car, but I have noticed considerable progress in engines, reliability and finishes compared with the previous model. However, some details that were considered in the Stilo have also been neglected. The price is somewhat higher than the previous one, but it also comes better equipped as standard and looks like a much more elegant car to compete with the Seat León, Renault Mégane or even the VW Golf. The total price of the unit tested is 23,330 euros. Looking at the engine, it has very direct rivals: the Seat León FR TDI of 170 CV for 25,350 euros, the Renault Mégane 2.0 dCi 160 for 25,300 and the VW Golf TDI GTD of 170 CV for 28,190 euros.

The progressive engine that the Fiat group has opted for from the start is very comfortable for everyday driving, since it is possible to call for a response at any moment without having to keep it revving high. It is just a matter of getting used to it. It has a more stately and less youthful look than earlier models (even the Bravo I), mainly due to its finishes, suspension and number of doors. The cheapest versions start at just over 12,000 euros (1.4 16v Active 90 CV), and around 18,000 for a version with a mid-range engine and trim (1.9 Emotion 120 CV Multijet). This model has a lot to choose from.

Just as if someone asked me for advice on a Stilo, I would say it has more drawbacks than advantages in the long run, but with the Bravo it is not the same and I recommend it without hesitation. Nowadays it is hard to find a car with this quality of finish, engine and performance for less than 24,000 euros, and barely exceeding 21,000 is already a sign that Fiat is doing things right and makes competitive cars at a very good price.

Photos | Javi Vicente