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Expert Rating

Fiat Tipo

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Expert Rating

Fiat Tipo

(2016 - present)

    Summary


    The Fiat Tipo is a medium-sized five-door hatchback and estate family car. The current generation model arrived in the UK in the summer of 2016, and was most recently updated in Spring 2022. It is now at the end of its life and is no longer available to order, although new car stock is still available from Fiat dealers.

    An update to the range in 2021 introduced a new range-topping version – the Tipo Cross – which features SUV-style bumper cladding and bigger alloy wheels.

    The Tipo has received generally poor reviews from the UK motoring media, which has resulted in an overall Expert Rating of 42% as of September 2023 – which means that after the retirement of its quirky sibling the Fiat 500L, the Tipo is now rock bottom of the medium car class in our Expert Rating Index.

    Of particular note is a poor three-star safety rating from Euro NCAP (which has also now expired), when most of the class leaders have a five-star safety rating.

    The Fiat Tipo has been praised for its keen pricing, good equipment levels and spaciousness. However, it has been criticised for its uninspiring driving dynamics, poor interior quality and below-par safety equipment.

    The Tipo is available with a mild hybrid petrol engine, which improves fuel efficiency and (unlike most mild hybrid motors) is able to provide a very small amount of electric power to move the car under limited conditions. However, its electrical assistance is much less than that found on a regular hybrid car, which can travel some distance and at normal urban speeds on electrical power alone.

    Tipo highlights

    • Value-for-money option
    • Spacious interior
    • Simple to drive
    • Rather large boot

    Tipo lowlights

    • Dull driving experience
    • Cheap cabin materials
    • Poor resale values
    • Safety rating relatively poor

    Key specifications


    Body style: Five-door hatch and estate
    Engines: petrol (with or without mild hybrid assistance)
    Price: From £22,245 on-road

    Launched: Spring 2016
    Last updated: Spring 2022
    End of production: Autumn 2023


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    The Car Expert

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    Auto Express

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    Autocar

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    Car

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    Carbuyer

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    Carwow

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    Heycar

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    Honest John

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    Parkers

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    The Sunday Times

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    The Telegraph

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    Top Gear

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    What Car?

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    Which?

    +

    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 3 stars
    Date tested: October 2016
    Date expired: January 2023
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 82%
    Child protection: 60%
    Vulnerable road users: 62%
    Safety assist: 25%

    Notes on safety rating

    The Fiat Tipo was originally crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2016 and awarded a three-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2023 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

    However, if you are comparing a used Tipo to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    No eco rating

    As of September 2023, the Fiat Tipo has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    No reliability rating

    As of September 2023, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Fiat Tipo to generate a reliability rating.

    The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Tipo, we’ll publish the score here.

    Running cost rating

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

    Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

    Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models41 mpgD37 – 49 mpgC – D
    Diesel models57 mpgB57 – 57 mpgB – B
    Hybrid models53 mpgB53 – 53 mpgB – B
    CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models125 g/kmA119 – 167 g/kmA – C
    Diesel models133 g/kmA132 – 134 g/kmA – A
    Hybrid models119 g/kmA119 – 119 g/kmA – A
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models11A7 – 16A – A
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£131A
    Year 2£406A
    Year 3£655A
    Year 4£858A
    Year 5£1,180A
    Overall£3,230A

    The Fiat Tipo is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

    Fuel economy scores range from good to poor, depending on your choice of engine. However, it’s fair to say that there are plenty of more economical alternatives available to choose from.

    Other than that, everything else about owning and running a Fiat Tipo looks to be excellent – servicing and maintenance, insurance, and road tax (which is based on CO2 emissions) scores are all outstanding.

    Similar cars


    If you’re interested in the Fiat Tipo, you might also like to consider these alternatives

    Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Citroën C4 | Citroën C4 Cactus | Ford FocusHonda Civic | Hyundai i30 | Kia Ceed | Mazda 3 | Mini Countryman | Peugeot 308 | Renault MeganeSEAT Leon | Skoda Scala | Skoda Octavia | Suzuki SwaceToyota Corolla | Vauxhall Astra | Volkswagen Golf


    More news, reviews and information about the Fiat Tipo at The Car Expert

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    Fiat Tipo review

    Fiat Tipo review

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    Fiat brands move into personal contract hire market

    Thatcham slams Fiat Tipo Euro NCAP result

    Thatcham slams Fiat Tipo Euro NCAP result

    Fiat Tipo first drive

    Fiat Tipo first drive

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    Geneva show – two Fiat Tipos for UK

    Buy a Fiat Tipo


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    Lease a Fiat Tipo


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    Subscribe to a Fiat Tipo


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    The Fiat Tipo has received generally poor media reviews, which has resulted in an Expert Rating that is currently the lowest in its class.Fiat Tipo