Lancia Delta 1.9 MultiJet Twin Turbo 190 CV, test drive (Part III)

We now reach the third part of the test of the Lancia Delta, where we will go in depth into its standard and safety equipment, as well as its prices and our overall assessment of this stylish Italian.

In the first part we looked at how its 1.9 MultiJet Twin Turbo diesel engine producing 190 CV performs, a standout for its performance, and in the second part we delved into the design of both the exterior and interior of the Delta, undoubtedly one of the strong points of this Italian. Now it is time to look at the standard equipment of the Delta, since our test unit came very well equipped, featuring one of the most complete equipment levels: Executive.

The Lancia Delta 1.9 MultiJet Twin Turbo 190 CV with the Executive trim starts at 33,490 euros, and for that price we get a complete equipment list that does not forget leather seats or the navigation system.

Equipment

As always, we start with the safety equipment, where it does not disappoint, featuring six airbags, stability control, ABS and traction control, so this is a car with comprehensive safety equipment. As options we can also fit a knee airbag or a tyre pressure sensor.

In the tests carried out by Euro NCAP it obtained the well-known five stars for adult occupant protection with good results, reaching three stars for child occupant protection, so this is a safe car.

Continuing with the standard equipment, as I mentioned at the start of this third part of the test, with the Executive trim practically everything comes as standard. There are only a few gaps (such as the optional bi-xenon headlights), but otherwise this trim level includes items such as dual-zone climate control, navigation system, Blue&Me, sunroof, leather upholstery, light and rain sensors, electronic suspension that adapts depending on whether we drive in Sport or normal mode, tinted glass, two-tone exterior paint, among other features.

So, what is left as an option? Really very little. One of them is the adaptive bi-xenon headlights (803 €), which offer excellent lighting on all types of road. They are very recommendable, since whether we are driving on a motorway or a rural road without lighting, the headlights provide an excellent beam and good visibility.

There is also the BOSE sound system (508 €) as an option, an extra for the more discerning, but although it comes with a good audio setup, the standard speakers do not quite match the rest of the package. It is also curious that although leather seats are standard, if we want them heated or electric we will have to pay extra (two rather dispensable extras). Finally there is the Magic Parking, the parking assistant that costs 610 euros, but even so it is recommendable given the dimensions of the Delta.

Operating the equipment is fairly simple, except for the navigator. As soon as I got into the car and saw the buttons, one idea immediately crossed my mind (these buttons sound familiar…), and that was indeed the case: it is the same system (or a very similar one) fitted to the Peugeot 407 and 607. It is a good navigation system, but the use of a split screen and several buttons complicates its operation. At least they have solved one of the Peugeot’ problems, since if you want to see the on-board computer data you can view it on the instrument panel screen and it is not necessary to look at the navigator.

It is also worth mentioning that the Blue&Me system is poorly integrated with the navigation system. A clear example is that if I wanted to search for a specific folder on a CD-MP3 or a USB, I had to use the controls and move through the menus on the instrument panel screen rather than on the navigator. Otherwise it is a good system, and it is welcome that the Group Fiat is increasingly fitting Blue&Me as standard on more models, something that in my view is as basic today as an MP3 player.

Overall assessment

The Lancia Delta is a vehicle that is hard to pigeonhole into a specific segment, but what I am sure of after the test is that it is not an ordinary compact. Its dimensions, design and presence, as well as its equipment, make that clear. Its price is somewhat high, but we must also be aware that at this price we do not find premium models (with which it can compete head to head) with this equipment.

Comparing it with a BMW Series 1 seems short-sighted to me, given the rear seat space, as well as an Audi A3, although in terms of price and exterior size these could be two of its closest rivals. That said, with equal equipment both can come close to 40,000 euros. Moreover, the Delta, with its design, plays at standing out from the rest, it is a model rarely seen on the street, and if you are one of those people who do not like having a very repetitive car, the Delta is undoubtedly a good alternative.

Finally, we must talk about its engine, one of the best diesels around 200 CV that I have tested. The engine’s flexibility is outstanding, although it does not have all the sporty sensations we might look for in a 190 CV engine, but it will always be forceful, responding whenever we need it, and once you try this engine it really grows on you.

In short, it is a model that is little known to many, but it presents itself as a genuine alternative to premium models with a first-class engine and finishes to match, as well as its interior space, all for 33,490 euros and with complete equipment.

Prices

Our Lancia Delta 1.9 MultiJet Twin Turbo 190 CV with the Executive trim starts at 33,490 euros, and specifically our test unit with the optional equipment (bi-xenon headlights, floor mats and Magic Parking) reaches 35,193 euros (according to the brand’s online configurator).

But we can access a Lancia Delta diesel with the 1.6 MJ 120 CV engine for 23,590 euros with the base Argento trim, and we also have the 120 CV petrol engine for 20,320 euros. Even so, if you are interested in the Delta, it is advisable to visit an official dealership, because practically all versions come with attractive discounts that lower the final price.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira | Thanks to Borja for his collaboration on the test