NOBODY, not even its most ardent admirer, could ever say the Fiat Multipla is pretty.
With its bottle-nose dolphin-like front and its slabby tail, it's never going to win the automotive equivalent of Miss World. Even Fiat make no bones about it with a sign on the back window that reads 'Wait until you see the front'.
Its quirkiness, however, hasn't stopped it becoming one of the most fashionable cars to be seen in.
It's great to drive and the interior is amazingly practical. No other car I know of its size can seat six people in total comfort with room for their luggage or their large dog behind them.
The Italian mini-MPV has received accolades from all quarters since its introduction in the UK in 2000. And now it's been facelifted with new features, better equipment levels, more options and summer price promotions.
Ride comfort has been improved and the driver's door window now has a one-touch close function.
The test car was an ELX version which has now got lumbar adjustment on the driver's seat, electronic tailgate release, tinted glass, side airbags and alloy wheels.
Power came from a 1.9-litre common rail turbodiesel engine which develops 115bhp and is capable of a top speed of 109mph. Yet combined fuel economy is excellent - 44.1mpg.
The cab is 'walk-through' (or shuffle across) with no centre console, gear lever or handbrake in the way to impede progress from side to side.
The front seats can't be removed, although the centre one can be replaced by a factory fitted 18-litre refrigerator. All the rear seats can come out, just like those in a Renault Espace, and put further forward if wanted to give more luggage capacity at the expense of legroom.
The dashboard is almost a set out of Star Wars but it all works very well, including the stubby, dashboard-mounted gearlever. You sit quite high so you get a commanding view of the road ahead and, as the double lens door mirrors give an excellent view of the kerb, reversing is a simple operation. Optional rear parking sensors are available but probably aren't necessary.
Out on the road, it's amazing how much fun you can have. The steering is well weighted and accurate, and the wide-track chassis gives copious levels of grip.
The diesel engine doesn't have all the poise of the petrol version but you get a longer legged, more relaxed cruise and far better fuel economy.
The new Multipla is also safer. Anti-lock brakes have always been standard but they are now augmented by rear disc brakes on all versions. Smart front airbags are standard and incorporate the latest generation sensors that control airbag intervention acccording to passenger weight and size, while optional roof airbags drop down over the windows in side impacts.
Is it for you? There are lots of rivals including the Vauxhall Zafira, Mercedes A-Class and Renault Scenic, and it has to be said that interior quality is still not as good as some of its competitors.
But that ignores the fun factor and sheer brio of the Multipla. The serious minded amongst us will probably choose a rival marque, but the young at heart will, I think, cheerfully take a gamble on the Fiat. They won't be disappointed.
- Alistair Coull
INNOVATIVE it may be, but you either love or hate this odd ball. There's no grey area with this totally unorthodox compact MPV. Fortunately, the Multipla appealed at first sight.
Fiat's version of the now ubiquitous people carrier remains completely in a design class of its own, and for that reason alone it scores top marks in my book. There are those who might think it looks as though it's met with an accident, but for me it has personality stamped all over it.
It certainly earns a high credit rating on individuality. You couldn't get much further removed from your bog-standard family runabout.
Inside and out, the Multipla is totally weird - but wonderful, and it is its uniqueness and practical nature, as well as its curiosity value, which has earned it so much kudos.
The Multipla proved an amiable MPV, ambling along the highways and byways - though I confess I wasn't as impressed as some journalists. The turbodiesel test car left me a little nonplussed around town. Somehow, I expected more spirit from the 1.9JTD unit. You needed to work the fascia-mounted gears hard in traffic to get a decent response.
Surprisingly, the wide body wasn't a problem, with excellent all-round vision and super-light power steering, though it could prove challenging on narrow, twisty streets - and you need a little more elbow room to park.
I had been inspired by the 1.6 petrol version I tested some time ago - it displayed a good deal of energy for the bulky body it had to lug around, and, though the diesel model was OK on open roads, it seemed lethargic in the urban jungle. Nevertheless, its diesel engine meant impressive fuel returns - even with a full load on board. Its official combined figure is 44mpg and on test it easily achieved this.
Targeted at the family/work/leisure/people carrier market, fuel economy is obviously an important factor.
The Multipla's tall silhouette means you are less likely to fracture your skull entering and exiting - a constant menace in lots of vehicles. This, and the extra generous-sized door apertures, combine to make these manoeuvres much less hazardous and more civilised. So often you are forced to adopt a semi-limbo pose before launching yourself into the seat to avoid butting the car. Getting out can be just as perilous.
So much headroom also significantly increases the feeling of space and therefore makes the Multipla environmentally-friendly. The open aspect is helped by lashings of glass, the deep-sided windows and panoramic windscreen and double sunroof.
The Multipla proved a very stable MPV which handled reasonably well and the anti-lock brakes were progressive and reassuring.
Inside, the Fiat offers you all sorts of seating options. I liked the three abreast configuration of front and second row, and the latter remove individually.
The Multipla is fun, funky and functional - and at £16,214 it is a worthy model.
- Val Jessop
FAST FACTS
Fiat Multipla 1.9 JTD ELX
Price: £16,214
Mechanical: 115bhp, 1,910cc 4-cyl turbo diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 109mph
0-62mph: 12.2secs
Combined mpg: 44.1
Insurance group: 10
CO2 emissions: 170 g/km
BiK rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 8yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint