Fiat Linea 1.3 Multijet 95 CV test drive (Engine, performance, handling and fuel consumption)

The Highmotor team brings you a new test. This time we leave premium brands behind, we leave expensive cars behind and we focus on a vehicle of the so-called “Low-Cost“. As soon as you read this, you will surely think of brands such as Dacia.

But the Fiat Linea diesel we are testing today stands apart from the Dacia in many respects, for example, the bumpers are body-colored across the whole range, the alloy wheels come as standard, the 95 CV diesel engine is the only one available, and the standard equipment includes features such as dual-zone climate control or Bluetooth. The price? €11,900 (including the Plan Pive 2 scrappage scheme and the discount for financing the car).

The Fiat Linea is not a model that falls in love with you, nor does its exterior design impress, but what I can assure you is that it is a 100% rational purchase. It is a car with a 500-litre boot, equipped with the essentials and more, with a 95 CV diesel engine that stands out for its low consumption, and its final price is in line with a Low-Cost.

Engine and performance

Until the Linea’s renewal, it was available with two more engines, a diesel and a petrol. But with the new generation, the range has been reduced to this 1.3 Multijet 95 CV powertrain. This engine is widely used in the Fiat range and in those of other manufacturers (Opel and Chevrolet), and it is the most powerful variant of this 1.25 cc unit.

But unlike the old 75 CV or the new 85 CV Multijet II, both of which have a fixed turbo, making it a more modest engine that runs out of steam at 3,500 rpm. But the Fiat Linea fits the 95 CV variant with a variable-geometry turbo, which translates into a push from 1,500 rpm up to 3,500 rpm, where the engine picks up again and holds on almost up to 4,500 rpm.

It is a small engine but with good response, and it makes exceptional use of each of those 95 CV with a modest torque figure of 200 Nm, but enough for everyday driving or even for country roads or motorways without problems.

Finally, we must mention the five-speed manual gearbox, while other models come with a six-speed gearbox, but in the case of the Linea they have opted for a five-speed with long ratios. At 120 km/h the engine turns at around 2,800 rpm. The precision and feel of the gearbox remind us that we are dealing with a Low-Cost, since it was not known for precision, especially when engaging reverse.

Handling

The most notable thing is the firmness offered by the Fiat Linea, unlike the typical city car with comfortable, soft suspension, the Linea has a firmer suspension setup which gives it greater stability and composure on the road, always within the limits of a vehicle like this.

As for road stability, there are city MPVs from mainstream brands with softer suspension and worse dynamic behaviour than this Fiat Linea. Soundproofing of the vehicle could be improved, both for the engine and the wind noise when driving on the motorway.

Finally, the steering feel struck us as artificial, but then again, this is not a sports car and it is consistent with the segment the car is aimed at. The brakes, with discs at the front and drums at the rear, are an area for improvement, but they stop correctly in any situation.

In short, we liked the stability it shows, ahead of some city cars, and at the same time it is a comfortable car for travelling -it even has an armrest- and maintains a reasonable level of interior comfort (apart from the soundproofing, which could be better).

Fuel consumption

Consumption is in line with the car’s performance and power, because on the road the Fiat Linea makes do with just 4.7 litres per 100 km, and can even reach 5.5 litres per 100 km if we drive inefficiently. These are genuinely good figures, and the road is precisely the ideal habitat for this car.

In the city consumption rises to 7 litres per 100 km, because our test unit did not have Start&Stop, even though this system came as standard on the Spanish range. Closing the consumption section are the motorway figures, where it rises slightly to 6 litres per 100 km, partly due to the absence of a sixth gear that would have lowered consumption.

In the second part of the test we will review the exterior design, not very emotional but correct, and we will talk about the interior. In this section we will not forget to review the quality of the finishes and the space it offers its occupants.

Photos | Test team, Diego G. Moreira