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Honest John Reviews Fiat

Fiat Bravo (2007 – 2014) Review

Fiat Bravo (2007 – 2014) At A Glance

3/5

+Roomy cabin and big boot. Five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. Excellent 1.4 T-Jet petrol. Strong MultiJet diesels.

-Driving position could be better. Artificial steering feel.Essentially a rebodied Stilo.

Insurance Groups are between 11–25
On average it achieves 89% of the official MPG figure

The Fiat Bravo has the kind of stunning styling that Italians somehow seen to do almost effortlessly. In the right colour its probably the best looking mid-size hatchback you can buy.

Yet my first impressions of it werent too good. After a truly spectacular launch in Rome we got to drive a diesel on 18 wheels with 40 profile tyres to Ostia and back. A distance of about 30 miles.

All I learned from this was light, feel-free and unresponsive steering, whatever setting, and terrible ride quality. It wasnt until Fiat delivered a 1.4 T-Jet 150 to me that I got to drive it properly.

A year since the launch I still admire the styling. Like a bigger Grande Punto with an unmistakably Fiat look that doesnt come from its grille shape but from the heart of Italian design. 

Reviews for Fiat Bravo (2007 – 2014)'s top 3 rivals

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3/5
More likely to turn heads than a Vauxhall Astra. Eager petrol and diesel engines.
Renault Megane
3/5
Soft riding, yet fine handling hatchback with superb steering. Improved for 2012 with new 1.2 TCe 115...
Citroen C4
2/5
Most models are well equipped. Punchy diesel engines offer strong economy. Decent-sized boot.

Fiat Bravo (2007 – 2014) handling and engines

The Bravo is frankly disappointing.  We seem to have got a Sport 150 Multijet fitted with optional 18 alloy wheels and 225/40 tyres. Seat comfort and range of seat and steering wheel adjustment are fine. There was nothing wrong with the quality of plastics and interior upholstery, including the carbon look fascia band, though the leather covered parking brake lever was already rubbing its leather against the edge of its aperture. The fascia doesnt reflect in the steeply raked screen. But, like the Alfa Brera, the Sports instrument graphics on the speedo and rev counter make them difficult to read in strong daytime sunshine.

I'd never actually driven a Stilo, which contributed its underpinnings to the new car. But if thats what a Stilo was like I can fully understand its lack of success. The chassis has no brio at all. Steering is light, feel-free and unresponsive. The gearchange is slow and cumbersome. The 150PS diesel engine we drove felt like it had 120PS. The ride quality on 18 wheels with 40 section tyres was terrible. It may have been developed in record time by computer, but the reality is a beautiful body clothing a very ordinary car.

But on the strength of the one car we drove, either it needs more work or they need to ditch the 18 wheels option. Hopefully Fiat will be able to get this sorted by the time the Bravo reaches the UK. The 6-speed gearbox is precise, yet clunky, as if you can actually feel the cogs swapping, which you cant because its a cable system.

But the engine is a gem. Quite how they managed to squeeze 150HP out of a 1.4 is a source of amazement. The horses actually feel stronger and more eager than the 150 in the Peugeot 308 1.6 THP I drove a few weeks previously. Smooth too, even after a cold start. Its a really excellent engine.

On the move the car feels somehow disjointed, letting slip its humble Stilo origins as the engine overtakes its tyres. Its not bad. It goes round corners well enough. And the ride quality on 205/55 R16 tyres doesnt remind you to e-mail complaints to The Highways Agency. Its just not as supple as a Focus, or a 308, or an Auris, and not quite as good as a Kia Ceed or Hyundai i30.

Final drive is sensibly geared at about 25mph per 1,000rpm in top, the same as the SEAT Leon 20VT I ran five years ago. The radio is good. Controls like the hazard warning on switch and Traffic Announcements off switch all logical and easy to find in an emergency, even when not familiar with the car.

On an 160 mile round trip it simply got on with the job, putting a smile on my face with its eagerness whenever I had to overtake uphill. Still belt-cam, unfortunately, but probably the ultimate Fiat FIRE engine and promises to turn the Grande Punto and 500 Abarth into real little scorchers. Id like to sit it on a chassis dynamometer and see what it really puts out against a Peugeot THP 150.

Engine MPG 0-62 CO2
1.4 42–45 mpg 12.5 s 146–158 g/km
1.4 MultiAir 140 50 mpg 8.5 s 132 g/km
1.4 MultiAir 140 (with start&stop) 50 mpg 8.5 s 132 g/km
1.4 T-Jet 120 42–45 mpg 9.6 s 146–156 g/km
1.4 T-Jet 150 40–40 mpg 8.5 s 165–167 g/km
1.6 MultiJet 105 58–66 mpg 11.3 s 113–129 g/km
1.6 MultiJet 120 61 mpg 10.5 s 120 g/km
1.9 MultiJet 120 53 mpg 10.5 s 139 g/km
1.9 MultiJet 150 50 mpg 9.0 s 149 g/km
2.0 MultiJet 165 53–55 mpg 8.2 s 135–139 g/km

Real MPG average for the Fiat Bravo (2007 – 2014)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

89%

Real MPG

30–68 mpg

MPGs submitted

225

Fiat Bravo (2007 – 2014) interior

Dimensions
Length 4336 mm
Width 1792 mm
Height 1498 mm
Wheelbase 2600 mm

Full specifications

It's roomy inside, with plenty of space for five, and a boot that can take 400 litres of luggage, which is more than any other car in its class. There is even room beneath the boot floor for a full-sized spare tyre, so we will have to hope that when the car arrives in the UK in July they will give us one. (The test car had polystyrene packing and an emergency Fix&Go puncture repair kit.)

Fiat has embraced some impressive new Microsoft technology called Blue&Me that mixes Bluetooth hands-free phone, entertainment, information, satellite navigation and telematics in a low priced package that outperforms and beats aftermarket kit, and is readily upgradeable with updated mapping. Theres even a USB port to facilitate this. Much hand-clapping ensued.

Inside, too, it looks good with a sort of carbon fibre stippled effect to the dashtop that doesnt reflect in the windscreen. But, after 750 miles in a Yaris I found it really difficult to get comfortable.

Seat and steering wheel seemed to me to be at the wrong angles and wrong relationship. With the seat low the squab falls away at the front and the steering wheel is too high, even at its lowest setting. Worse still in low winter sunlight, the speedo is all but invisible unless you have the cars lights one. Though maybe with forthcoming EU laws, thats intentional.

Fiat Bravo (2007 – 2014) models and specs

Dimensions
Length 4336 mm
Width 1792 mm
Height 1498 mm
Wheelbase 2600 mm
Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight 1205–1360 kg
Boot Space 365–1175 L
Warranty 3 years / 60000 miles
Servicing 18000–21000 miles
Spare Wheel
Standard Tyre-repair kit
Costs
List Price £11,050–£19,605
Insurance Groups 11–25
Road Tax Bands C–H
Official MPG 39.8–65.7 mpg
Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult 5
Child 2
Pedestrian 2
Overall -

On sale until September 2014

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Easy 1.6 MultiJet 105 5dr £17,995 65.7 mpg 11.3 s

On sale until May 2014

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
Easy 1.4 5dr £15,805 44.8 mpg 12.5 s
Easy 1.4 MultiAir 5dr £17,305 49.6 mpg 8.5 s

On sale until March 2013

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.4 Active 5dr £15,205 44.8 mpg 12.5 s
1.4 Dynamic 5dr £16,205 44.8 mpg 12.5 s
1.4 MultiAir 140 Sport (with Start&Stop) 5dr £17,905 49.6 mpg 8.5 s
1.6 MultiJet 105 Active Eco 5dr £17,200 64.2 mpg 11.3 s
1.6 MultiJet 105 Dynamic Eco 5dr £18,200 64.2 mpg 11.3 s
1.6 MultiJet 105 MyLife Eco 5dr £17,500 64.2 mpg 11.3 s
1.6 MultiJet 120 Dynamic Dualogic 5dr Auto £19,100 61.4 mpg 10.5 s
2.0 MultiJet 165 Sport 5dr £19,605 55.4 mpg 8.2 s

On sale until November 2012

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.4 MultiAir 140 Dynamic (with Start&Stop) 5dr £17,705 49.6 mpg 8.5 s

On sale until April 2012

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.4 T-Jet 120 Dynamic 5dr £16,800 44.8 mpg 9.6 s

On sale until September 2010

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.4 T-Jet 120 Dynamic 5dr £15,950 44.8 mpg 9.6 s

On sale until March 2010

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.4 Active Sport 5dr £15,105 42.2 mpg 12.5 s
1.4 T-Jet 120 Active 5dr £14,555 42.2 mpg 9.6 s
1.4 T-Jet 120 Active Sport 5dr £15,555 42.2 mpg 9.6 s
1.4 T-Jet 150 Dynamic 5dr £16,105 40.4 mpg 8.5 s
1.4 T-Jet 150 Sport 5dr £16,405 40.4 mpg 8.5 s
2.0 MultiJet 165 Dynamic 5dr £18,190 53.3 mpg 8.2 s

On sale until May 2009

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.6 16v MultiJet 105 Active 5dr £14,450 57.6 mpg 11.3 s
1.6 16v MultiJet 105 Active Sport 5dr £15,250 57.6 mpg 11.3 s
1.6 16v MultiJet 120 Active Dualogic 5dr Auto £16,150 - -
1.9 MultiJet 150 Dynamic 5dr £16,605 50.4 mpg 9.0 s

On sale until April 2009

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.4 5dr £11,050 42.2 mpg 12.5 s
1.4 T-Jet 150 Active 5dr £14,000 40.4 mpg 8.5 s
1.4 T-Jet 150 Active 5dr Auto £14,000 - -
1.4 T-Jet 150 Sport 5dr £15,550 40.4 mpg 8.5 s
1.9 MultiJet 120 Active 5dr £14,250 53.3 mpg 10.5 s
1.9 MultiJet 120 Dynamic 5dr £15,250 53.3 mpg 10.5 s
1.9 MultiJet 150 Sport 5dr £16,900 50.4 mpg 9.0 s

On sale until July 2008

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.4 T-Jet 150 Active 5dr £13,405 - -

On sale until May 2008

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.4 Dynamic 5dr £13,605 42.2 mpg 12.5 s

On sale until April 2008

Hatchback
Version List Price MPG 0-62
1.4 T-Jet 150 Active 5dr £13,405 39.8 mpg 8.5 s
1.9 MultiJet 120 Active 5dr £13,805 53.3 mpg 10.5 s
1.9 MultiJet 120 Active Sport 5dr £14,505 53.3 mpg 10.5 s
1.9 MultiJet 120 Dynamic 5dr £14,905 53.3 mpg 10.5 s

Model History

January 2007

Fiat Bravo launched

In UK from summer 2007.Compact five-door body with a remarkable amount of interior space: 4,340mm x 1,790mm x 1,490mm high, with wheelbase of 2600mm and a loading capacity of 400 litres that tops its class.

Choice of engines, which include the popular turbodiesel 1.9 MultiJets (120 and 150 bhp), the 90 bhp 1.4, and a new family of turbocharged T-JET petrol engines (120 and 150 bhp 1.4 Turbo) that will be making their debut, combining low fuel consumption with outstanding performance. Similar long wheelsbase design to Toyota Auris.

120bhp version of the 1.4 T-Jet went on sale in UK late September 2007 from £12,895 for the Bravo 1.4 T-Jet 120 Active.

New 1.6 MultiJet belt cam (not chain) 16v engine, announced February 2008, promises sparkling performance, outstanding torque, increased noise suppression and lower running costs for the Bravo range. The addition also makes Bravo the first car in its category to be fitted with a Euro 5-compliant engine, well ahead of the 2009 deadline.

The new Bravo 1.6 MultiJet is also available with a special eco-package in 105 bhp form. In addition to revised engine ECU settings, this ‘Eco’ pack employs special measures to optimise aerodynamics, and incorporates low rolling resistance tyres and ‘taller’ gear ratios to return some outstanding fuel consumption and CO2 figures: 62.7 mpg in the combined cycle (an increase of some 5 mpg on the standard 105 bhp 1.6 MultiJet) and CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km.

The new 1.6 MultiJet has four cylinders in line, 16 valves, and a displacement of 1,598 cc. Two different engines are being produced: one developing 105 bhp at 4000 rpm and torque of 290 Nm (214 lb ft) at 1500 rpm; the other developing 120 bhp at 4000 rpm and torque of 300 Nm (221 lb ft) at 1500 rpm. Both engines come with a manual six-speed gearbox.

These engines are boosted by either electronically-controlled fixed-geometry (105 bhp version) or variable-geometry (120 bhp version) turbochargers, to enhance power output while providing very high torque even at low revs. Compared with the current Fiat 1.9 MultiJet 120 bhp unit, the 1.6 MultiJet series represents an important step forward – with the same power, torque is improved by almost 25 per cent at 1500 rpm, and consumption is reduced by eight per cent.

  • 1.6 MultiJet 16v 105 bhp: 116mph, 0-60 11.0 secs, 57.6mpg combined, 129g/km CO2.
  • 1.6 MultiJet 16v 105 bhp (with specific pack): 116mph, 0-60 11.0 secs, 62.7mpg combined. 119g/km CO2.
  • 1.6 MultiJet 16v 120 bhp: 121mph, 0-60 10.2 secs, 57.6mpg combined, 129g/km C02.

Starting price of £13,595 OTR for Active 1.6 16v MultiJet 105, with fuel economy of up to 62.7mpg on the combined cycle, and low CO2 emissions, starting at a tax beating 119g/km. Makes it ideal for company drivers seeking to minimise BIK tax.

December 2008

New 2.0 MultiJet. 165 bhp 2.0 MultiJet unit features a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and is type-approved to Euro 5 standards, ahead of the 2009 deadline. Main benefits are greater performance (torque increased to 360 Nm, and power up to 165 bhp), reduced emissions (down to just 139 g/km) and lower fuel consumption (53 mpg over the combined cycle). Top speed is 134 mph and acceleration from 0-60 mph takes just 7.9 seconds.

The new Bravo 2.0 MultiJet starts at £16,855 OTR for the Dynamic, rising to £17,155 OTR for the Sport. Actually on sale from 6-2-2009.

June 2009

New special edition Fiat Bravo coincides with an International charity driving tour which will take the cars from capital cities across Europe to Turin, Italy. The Fiat Bravo MSN Special Series is the result of a collaboration between Fiat and internet giant MSN and includes advanced radio navigation and infomatic systems such as Instant Nav and Blue&Me.

Based on a Bravo 1.4 16V it is also fitted with some of the latest Sony Ericsson mobile phone technology, custom-made for this car, which will allow direct access to the MSN portal. The Bravo MSN Special Series costs £13,255 OTR – the equivalent of a standard 1.4 16V Active, but offers customers £2,700 in free extra equipment. As well as the navigation and comms kit, the specially-badged car also gets distinctive Tempesta Grey pearlescent paint, 17-inch alloy wheels and a leather steering wheel.

August 2011

An impressive list of standard equipment is one of the highlights of the new Fiat Bravo MyLife, the latest car to be included in Fiat’s feature model collection of well-equipped, high value versions.

Based on the range’s Active trim, the new Bravo MyLife is powered by Fiat’s widely acclaimed MultiJet 105bhp diesel engine. But it’s the additional equipment that makes the car stand out, especially as much of it gives the Bravo MyLife a distinctive, sporty look.

The long list of equipment includes 16-inch alloy wheels, Blue&Me entertainment and communication system, leather steering wheel with audio controls, ESP stability control, air conditioning, electric front windows and driver, passenger and side airbags. The Fiat Bravo 1.6 16v MultiJet 105 MyLife costs £17,500 OTR.

Meanwhile, the already successful Bravo Active version has been given a more stylish look with the help of a special gloss-black finish B pillar, new piano black upper and lower front grille, chrome upper front grille frame and chrome door handles. Fiat Bravo Active pricing starts at £15,200 OTR for the 1.4 Active 90hp, rising to £17,200 OTR for the 1.6 16v MultiJet 105 Active Eco.

What to watch out for

01-01-0001:

'Sport' versions built before September 2007 come with tyrefit puncture repair kit. Post September 2007 they get a space saver and jack