2001 Fiat Stilo 5 Doors 1.6L 5MT FWD (103 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Fiat replaced its aging Bravo/Brava compact-sized hatchback with the Stilo, a vehicle that it revealed at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show.

The compact segment was among the most grueling in the European market. All the leading mass-market automakers had one vehicle that could fit there, from Audi with the A3 to Volkswagen with its notorious Golf. Moreover, even premium automakers, such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, had something to offer with their 3 Series Compact and the C-Class Sportcoupe, respectively. But then, the Italians had other customers in mind: those willing to spend their hard-earned money on a brand-new car big enough to accommodate a family of four and move them around in the fuel-efficient Stilo. Their idea wasn’t bad at all, especially since the five-door Italian hatchback provided more than anyone else on the market. In addition, those willing to spend more could get the vehicle fitted with punchier engines, but without breaking the bank.

With the new-edge design almost over, the Italians imagined a vehicle with a front fascia dominated by angles and straight lines. The headlights, for instance, were rectangular with corner-mounted turn signals. In the middle, the grille sported three horizontal slats, and the carmaker’s badge took center stage. On the lower part of the bumper, the automaker placed a second air intake.

From its profile, the five-door Stilo impressed customers with its large glass areas for the tall greenhouse. Furthermore, Fiat also added a third row of windows behind the rear doors. The automaker didn’t want its car to look too cheap, so it installed body-colored door mirrors and handles. Depending on the trim and options, the 2001 Fiat Stilo five-door could be ordered with either steel or light alloy wheels. At the back, the tailgate was just slightly tilted forward and was flanked by angular-shaped corner-mounted taillights.

Inside, the Stilo was roomy enough for five adults, albeit the bench seat in the back was mostly useful for two persons. Fiat didn’t want to provide its newest creation with just a ventilation system. As a result, it provided the Stilo with air-conditioning. In addition, the car also came fitted with a decent enough sound system. The instrument cluster fronted the driver and was filled with large dials for the tachometer and speedometer, while on the lower side was an LCD that showed the odometer and other data from the car’s onboard computer. In addition, on the upper side, Fiat installed small gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature.

Under the hood, Fiat installed a choice of gasoline and diesel engines ranging between 80 PS (79 hp) and 170 PS (168 hp) paired with either a five- or a six-speed manual. As an option, customers could get the five-speed Selespeed automated transmission (single-clutch).