Fiat Linea 1.3 Multijet 95 CV test drive (Equipment, price and verdict)

After the test of the Fiat Linea diesel that we published a few days ago, we still had three details of the car to cover. Specifically the equipment, which is simple since there is only one trim level, and the price. But in addition, as in all our tests, we put the final full stop with the verdict on the car.

To refresh the memory, in the first part we told you everything about the 95 CV diesel engine, a small but sufficient powertrain to move the Linea. Meanwhile, in the second part we discussed the exterior and interior design, as well as its boot, which reaches 500 litres and becomes its biggest asset.

Equipment

Within the standard equipment, we must start by reviewing the safety devices. In this section, front, side airbags and ABS come as standard, but electronic stability control is not present.

The Fiat Linea has not undergone Euro NCAP crash tests, but we can extrapolate the results of the Fiat Grande Punto, since essentially it is the same car with a third box. If we look for those results, we see that the Grande Punto already obtained five stars in 2005 when it was submitted to the tests.

Curiously, the Dacia Logan – a direct rival – underwent the tests in the same year, 2005, and only achieved three stars. The best score this year, 2013, went to the new-generation Dacia Sandero, which earned four stars. We would need the Euro NCAP results for this generation of the Fiat Linea to be completely objective in the comparison.

The good thing about the Fiat Linea is that there are hardly any options, almost everything comes as standard and, curiously, the only option available is to remove options and save 1,000 euros. Within the standard equipment we find: air conditioning, 16-inch alloy wheels, four electric windows, central armrest, Blue&Me and CD MP3 radio with USB and Bluetooth input, fog lights, among other items.

There are only two optional packs: the Confort Pack, which adds parking sensors, light and rain sensors, and then the Light Pack, which saves 1,000 euros, by doing without: rear electric windows, alloy wheels, fog lights, front armrest, Blue&Me, side airbags, and leather steering wheel and gear knob.

Personally I do not consider the Light Pack interesting, because the saving is small and the list of equipment you lose is quite long, but that is my opinion.

General Verdict

There is little more to say about the Fiat Linea we have tested over these days, I found the car very noble and humble, because in the end it surprises you with what it offers. That is, you expect a simple car of the typical Low-Cost kind and in the end you find a practical vehicle, with good equipment, a performing engine and restrained consumption (not the best in the segment, but low).

The aspect that generates the least feeling is, I am sure, the exterior design, which is a pity, because surely with a better-integrated third box the car would manage to appeal to a larger number of buyers. It is also a complete unknown; if it had the advertising campaigns of brands such as Dacia, it would certainly sell more.

Overall the Linea is a very rational car, for those people who just want a car that takes them from one place to another, without spending much, with a 500-litre boot at a very tight final price. Moreover, they will not have to give up a complete specification, such as two-zone climate control, the Blue&Me system with Bluetooth and USB, or the 16-inch alloy wheels.

Price

The starting price is 14,900 euros, but if we add the brand discounts, the Pive-2 and finance a minimum of (7,990 euros), the car drops to 11,900 euros, increasing the warranty up to 4 years – on finance.

If we also opt for the Light Pack, the final price drops to around 10,900 euros.

Photos | Test team: Rubén R., Sergio R., Diego G. Moreira