Ah, the Fiat Tipo. An underdog in the automotive world, yet one with quite a history. The redesigned Tipo, especially in its latest 2020 facelift, promises to be more versatile and practical than ever before. This car isn’t for the rave crowd or the Instagram flash mob; it’s for those who need a no-nonsense, sensible ride. And let's face it, one of the principal aspects people are interested in is the boot space. Whether you're hauling the weekly groceries or loading up for a family holiday, the boot space can make or break your experience. So, how does the Fiat Tipo stack up, and how has it evolved over the years?
The Fiat Tipo has seen significant changes in boot space over the generations. The first generation (1988-1995) offered a modest 350 litres, which was pretty standard for its time. You'd think Fiat would rest on its laurels, but oh no. They went full throttle with the 2016 model, boasting an impressive 520 litres. However, with the latest facelift in 2020, Fiat made some compromises, cutting down the boot space to 440 litres. While this is still sizeable, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher why they went smaller. Did they really have to sacrifice boot space over a sleeker design or perhaps to stuff in more tech inside? Quite possibly.
Compared to other Fiat models, the Tipo stands tall – well, in boot space terms at least. Take the Fiat 500e for instance. With its charming retro looks, it still can't hold a candle to the Tipo with a boot space of just 185 litres. Even the Fiat Panda, the cute little rascal, only offers 225 litres. The Qubo does a bit better with 330 litres but still falls short of the Tipo. For those who need enormous cargo space and are loyal to Fiat, the Fiat E-Doblò steals the show with a ludicrous 775 litres, but let's be honest, it’s not exactly winning any beauty contests. The closest competitor in Fiat’s own lineup would be the Tipo Kombi, which offers a whopping 550 litres – big enough to fit your entire extended family’s luggage.
Now, let's pit the Tipo against some of its mainstream rivals. Toyota Corolla? Nope, still lagging behind with 372 litres of boot space. How about the Suzuki SX4? Close, but no cigar at 270 litres. The Peugeot 1007, with its quirky sliding doors, offers 364 litres, which still falls behind. The Hyundai i20 makes a better attempt with 295 litres, but it won't be dethroning the Tipo anytime soon. Even the much-adored MINI MINI, iconic as ever with its compact charm, doesn’t stack up with a puny 150 litres of boot space. One car that gets surprisingly close is the Citroen DS 3, featuring 285 litres. However, if you seek something more traditional and practical, the Tipo has the clear upper hand.