Lancia Thema 3.0 V6 CRD 240 CV, road test (Equipment, price, assessment)

After several days analysing the Lancia Thema, today we put the finishing touches to the road test. We have tested the Thema with the 239 CV V6 diesel engine, that is, the most powerful version. Everything about the engine, handling or consumption has been covered in the first part of the test.

Meanwhile, in the second part, we analysed the eye-catching exterior design, as well as the carefully crafted interior, where there is no shortage of space or premium materials such as leather or wood. To conclude the test, we now review the equipment, both standard and optional, and we also reveal the prices and our overall assessment of the car.

>First part, Lancia Thema road test (Engine, performance, handling and consumption)
>Second part, Lancia Thema road test (Exterior design, interior, practicality and finish)

Equipment

We always begin the review of the equipment section with the safety features, that is, those elements the Thema comes with as standard. The provision is complete, and it includes systems and new technologies that are not usually found as standard on a model like this.

In terms of safety it features: seven airbags (including a knee airbag), active head restraints, stability control, and a collision warning system that alerts the driver to a possible impact.

In the EuroNCAP safety tests it achieved five stars in tests carried out in 2011. It seems they also took note, since they subsequently added the knee airbag, improving on the results obtained with a unit lacking this airbag.

The Thema range is structured into three trim levels: Gold, Platinum and Executive. As standard, it has an automatic gearbox, two-zone air conditioning, leather steering wheel, leather seats, a touchscreen navigation system with an 8-inch display, Bluetooth, USB, alloy wheels, xenon headlights, among other features.

The Executive trim adds a series of equipment that puts it on a level befitting the premium label. The dashboard is fully trimmed in leather, there is an Alpine sound system, two-tone leather seats (heated and ventilated), rear-view camera, blind-spot warning, 20-inch alloy wheels, among other features.

Within the equipment, the comprehensive safety provision stands out, both standard and optional, with systems such as blind-spot warning, collision warning and adaptive cruise control. The seats, with electric adjustment, are ventilated and heated, and it also featured cup holders with hot and cold function – a nice touch.

The 8-inch touchscreen, which comes as standard, is a real success for us, and from it we can easily control all the vehicle’s functions, such as the navigation, the air conditioning or the electric rear blind.

And we cannot forget the Alpine sound system, standard on the Executive trim, with 9 speakers and a subwoofer with a power of 506 W, and a sound that is truly good in both power and quality.

Prices of the Lancia Thema (Include brand promotion)

• Lancia Thema 3.0 V6 CRD 190 CV GOLD €38,250
• Lancia Thema 3.0 V6 CRD 190 CV Platinum €40,451
• Lancia Thema 3.0 V6 CRD 239 CV Platinum €44,454
• Lancia Thema 3.0 V6 CRD 239 CV Executive €47,323

Overall Assessment

After several days behind the wheel of the Lancia Thema, the first question that comes to mind is why doesn’t it sell more? It is a question and, at the same time, the confirmation of a fact: in Spain we remain very “brand-loyal“. Above certain price points, we only consider buying a car from the three premium brands; everything else seems not to be an option worth considering.

More than once we have seen cars with very good value for money go unsold for the simple reason that they lack four rings or a star on the front. This is what happens to the Lancia Thema, a car comparable to a Mercedes E-Class, a BMW 5 Series or an Audi A6, all of them far more expensive for the same equipment, engine and power.

The Thema makes sense in its cheapest version, since for €38,250 we can barely aspire to the most stripped-down versions of the premium brands, and the Italian offers us more equipment and a 190 CV V6 engine. And then it is once again an interesting option in its Executive version, because for less than €50,000 it offers everything: a luxurious interior finish, equipment where no detail is overlooked, safety elements typical of a premium brand, and a 240 CV V6 engine.

There are points to improve, as with everything: the finish of the base version, and the fact that we are behind the wheel of a heavy car with considerable dimensions, so agility is not one of its strongest characteristics. But its interior comfort is, especially if we use the car for long road trips, where it brings out the best of itself.

In short, if you are looking for a premium saloon with space and you want something different, rarely seen and with very complete equipment, the Lancia Thema is a truly interesting option.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira