Fiat Idea (04-07) - Review

Review by Ben Wall on 30 November 2006

The name Idea actually stands for Intelligent Design, Emotion and Architecture. It's Fiat's answer to the Vauxhall Meriva and offers plenty of space in a relatively compact body shape. The rear seats offer a fair degree of flexibility and there are some thoughtful touches and a generous level of equipment for the money. That's the intelligence and design, but we can't see much in the way of emotion in the architecture. That doesn't stop it being a useful little family runabout however. A light facelift was administered in 2006.

3.5 out of 5

Other Fiat reviews

3.5 out of 5

Summary

New price range:

£10,348 - £13,948

Used price range:

£1,523 - £4,511

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Cheap to buy and spacious for its size.

Not a big seller, so finding one may be difficult.

Driving & Performance

Performance

3.5 out of 5
"The range was launched with just two engine options, a 1.4 petrol with 95bhp and a 1.3 Multijet..."
Handling

3.5 out of 5
"It's easy to drive and the ride is quite soft, which is good news for comfort levels. Combine this..."

Comfort

Comfort

4 out of 5
"Four adults are easily accommodated and all get plenty of headroom. The rear seats recline and slide..."
Practicality

4 out of 5
"Boot space is generous and its capacity can be increased further by sliding the rear seats forward..."
Equipment

4 out of 5
"The three trim levels are Active, Dynamic and Eleganza. The Active model has a trip computer,..."
Behind the wheel

3 out of 5
"The driver's seat is height adjustable and the steering wheel is height and reach adjustable too."

Costs

Running costs

4 out of 5
"This is affordable motoring. Prices undercut those of the Vauxhall Meriva while residuals values are..."
Green credentials

4.5 out of 5
"Idea is an environmentally friendly model. With an average of 145 g/km CO2 across the model line-up,..."

Safety & Reliability

Safety

4 out of 5
"Top spec models get side and window airbags in addition to the standard driver and passenger..."
Reliability

4 out of 5
"The Idea uses the same mechanicals as the Punto which has proven itself to be thoroughly reliable."

Buying & Selling

Buying new

4 out of 5
"The Vauxhall Meriva is the closest rival to the Idea. The Fiat has the edge in terms of price though..."
Buying used

1.5 out of 5
"There's no shortage of nearly new examples about and the savings on a six-month to a year-old car..."
Selling

4 out of 5
"Such a practical, affordable and easy to drive car shouldn't be difficult to sell, although it..."