Fiat's pretty little 600 family hatch is at its most affordable in petrol turbo 100HP form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.
Ten Second Review
This basic unelectrified Turbo 100 version of Fiat's 600 supermini might just be all the small car you really need, if style is as important to you as sensibility.
Background
The Fiat 600 is a car that ought to sell better here than it does. And maybe it still might. In this more affordable unelectrified base petrol form.
This is the 600 variant to have if you like the look of this supermini but don't want to pay the price for the Hybrid or EV versions of it that Fiat offers. Might it be all you actually need if a stylish Italian little hatch takes your fancy?
Engines and Tech Spec
The 100hp three-cylinder unit on offer here comes paired with something increasingly rare to find these days - a manual gearbox, this one with six speeds. There's no auto option. And not a great deal of pulling power, though the 205Nm generated will probably be sufficient for the suburban life most petrol 600 models are likely to lead. It's the same engine used in base versions of the Jeep Avenger and uses a freshly-developed variable-geometry turbocharger, has a relatively high compression ratio, an efficient Miller cycle operation, a high pressure direct injection set-up and offers a robust so-called 'silent' timing chain system. 0-62mph takes 10.5s en route to 114mph.
As with other 600 models, if you come to this car expecting it to feel like some kind of Fiat 500 or - which is less likely - like the agile, direct small Uno and Punto superminis that Turin was making at the turn of the century, you'll be somewhat disappointed. Sadly, the Italian brand has long stopped making five-door models like that - and this one has moved so far towards the softly-sprung comfort-orientated end of the spectrum that it reminded us more of a small Citroen than the unlamented third generation Punto model it's theoretically supposed to have replaced. We don't necessarily have a problem with that; in fact, the supple ride is well suited to our nation's often terrible tarmac and copes well with the speed humps and pot holes of urban travel.
But whereas in this segment, say, a Volkswagen Polo manages to deliver much of that kind of supple demeanour without undue roll and pitch at speed through the bends, this Fiat achieves a rather less successful balance when things speed up and the road gets twisty. It doesn't wallow about - or roll quite like, say, a Citroen C3 might - but there's no incentive to push along and even enjoy yourself at the wheel of a 600, not helped by the rather lifeless steering feedback.
But there are compensations. Refinement may not be class-leading but of course it's in another world from Fiat superminis past, which makes this a car better suited for longer journeys.
Design and Build
Is this the most eye-catching mainstream brand family hatch money can buy? Very possibly. As with other 600 models, you'll immediately notice the 'eye-lid'-style LED headlights. And possibly the fact that the usual central brand badge has been dropped in favour of the model number. In size and profile, the 600 is similar to the brand's 500X small SUV, the crossover theme here indicated by 17 or 18-inch wheels, along with matt black skirts and wheel arches. There's 4.17-metres of body length, about 8cm more than this Fiat's Jeep Avenger close cousin.
Inside, it's actually very similar to that Jeep, though Fiat has tried to disguise the fact by carrying forward the thin-rimmed two-spoke wheel and the climate controls from the smaller 500 model. The 10.25-inch centre touchscreen is shared with the Avenger; and there's a 7-inch digital instrument display. Various handy cabin storage compartments collectively offer 15-litres of stowage space.
Fiat engineers focused quite a lot on rear seat occupants. Getting inside has been made easier by making the door ring 37 millimetres wider. Legroom and roominess in the back was maximised by moving the design's fundamental 'H' points, which allowed for a gain of an extra 30mm of legroom. The result is a rear cabin that obviously is vastly more roomy than in a 500. But three adults in the back would be quite a squash. Boot space is average at 360-litres. But if you fold the rear seat flat, up to 1,231-litres of luggage room can be freed up.
Market and Model
Prices for this petrol turbo 100hp 600 model start from around £24,000 and there's a choice of 'POP', 'Icon', 'Sport' and 'La Prima' trim levels. You'll need a £25,000 budget for the 'Icon' and around £27,000 for the top two trim levels.
Standard features on the base model include 17-inch Diamond-Cut alloy wheels, Black & Ivory bi-colour fabric upholstery and heated front seats. Other standard features include a 7-inch TFT digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch Uconnect central infotainment touchscreen. You also get rear parking sensors, LED headlights, cruise control, an auto dimming frameless rear view mirror and keyless go locking. You can add red paint at no extra cost.
Premium features on the plusher 'La Prima' version run to larger 18-inch Diamond-Cut alloy wheels, more luxurious 'Eco-Leather' seats, driver seat massage, wireless 'phone charging and Level 2 autonomous driving tech. At this level in the range, you can add Fiat's special 'Sun of Italy' paint finish. Various other optional paint upgrades are also available.
Safety features fitted across the 600 range include autonomous emergency braking and vulnerable road user projection. Plus there's lane keeping assist and an intelligent speed assistant. Along with traffic sign information and drowsy driver detection.
Cost of Ownership
Given the lack of electrification here, the efficiency figures could be a little better than you might expect, rated at up to 50.4mpg on the combined cycle and up to 127g/km of CO2. To give you some perspective, a 600 Hybrid manages up to 57.6mpg on the combined cycle, and up to 109g/km of CO2.
All 600 models are covered by the brand's usual unremarkable three-year, unlimited mileage warranty and there's 36 months of breakdown cover included as well. Should you have a problem on a journey, you can use the 'Uconnect' infotainment system to contact roadside assistance. What else might you need to know? Well, servicing intervals are every year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Owners can keep up to date with their car's maintenance schedule via the 'My Car' section of the Fiat app, which briefs you on the time of your next service and various maintenance issues.
Summary
Electrification in modern cars - particularly in small affordable modern cars - often promises a lot more than it actually delivers. If you're tired of paying for that kind of unfulfilled promise, then this base model 600 might well be your kind of compact supermini.
There's everything you need here and nothing you don't. In a rather stylish Italianate package. Yes, you could drive a car of this size with more frugality. But the upsides in price and style here might just persuade you Fiat's way.
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