Fiat Croma

Fiat Croma: which version to buy and why

The Fiat Croma that matches a given job is not one car. The catalogue records 3 generations, 1985-01-01 to 2010-12-31, and 33 named versions across two body types: Liftback on 1 generation and Estate 5-door on 2 generation and 2 generation, restyling. Every version is FWD. If you want the lightest, fastest petrol car in the file, that is a 1 generation 2.0 MT turbo, not a later estate.

The Fiat Croma that matches a given job is not one car. The catalogue records 3 generations, 1985-01-01 to 2010-12-31, and 33 named versions across two body types: Liftback on 1 generation and Estate 5-door on 2 generation and 2 generation, restyling. Every version is FWD. If you want the lightest, fastest petrol car in the file, that is a 1 generation 2.0 MT turbo, not a later estate. If you want measured mixed consumption on a later diesel automatic, that is the restyled 1.9 AT. Prices are not measured.

Generations: what actually changed between the three catalogue blocks

1 generation ran 1985-01-01–1996-12-31 as a Liftback. The file lists 19 versions and shows 12. Kerb weights that are measured sit between 1095 kg (1.6 MT, 83 hp) and 1253 kg (2.0 MT, 137 hp). Ground clearance is 140 mm on every shown version. The tank is 65 l. That is 3 l more than the later estates. This is the only generation with Carburetor, with Turbo on petrol 2.0 MT, and with a 4-speed Automatic.

2 generation ran 2005-03-01–2007-12-31 as an Estate 5-door with 7 versions. The tank is 62 l. Kerb weight, where measured, runs from 1430 kg (1.8 MT) to 1650 kg (2.4 AT): +335 kg versus the lightest first-generation car. The restyling is not a third generation: 2 generation, restyling is 2008-01-01–2010-12-31, same Estate 5-door, same 7 version names.

What the restyle changed on the numbers: 1.8 MT kerb 1430 kg → 1435 kg (+5 kg); clearance 140 mm → 150 mm. Rear suspension on several diesels and the 1.8 MT moves from Independent, leaf spring to Independent, spring. Front brakes on the restyle are Ventilated disc instead of Disc. 1.9 AT kerb drops 1615 kg → 1515 kg (−100 kg). 2.4 AT kerb rises 1650 kg → 1655 kg. Euro 4 is measured on 2 generation 2.2 MT, 1.9 AT, and 2.2 AT, and is not measured on the restyle counterparts.

Engines and specs

Use the names exactly as in the database. Two 1.9 MT diesels exist in both later generations; two 2.0 MT turbos exist in 1 generation. Separate them by horsepower.

2 generation, restyling (2008–2010), Estate 5-door, FWD

The 150 hp 1.9 MT has 4 valves per cylinder; the 120 hp 1.9 MT has 2. Power per litre (hp ÷ litres): 2.4 AT 83.8 hp/l; 150 hp 1.9 MT / 1.9 AT 78.5 hp/l; 1.8 MT 77.9 hp/l; 2.2 MT / 2.2 AT 68.2 hp/l; 120 hp 1.9 MT 62.8 hp/l. The smaller petrol 1.8 MT is denser than the 2.2 petrols.

2 generation (2005–2007) uses the same seven names and the same headline outputs, with these measured differences: 2.2 MT is 150 hp / 110 kW (restyle 108 kW); 2.2 AT is 150 hp / 110 kW and 203 Nm (restyle 108 kW, 204 Nm). 1.8 MT injection is Central injection (single-point or single- point); restyle 1.8 MT is Distributed injection (multi-point). Engine position is not measured on 2 generation 2.2 MT, 1.9 AT, and 2.2 AT.

1 generation (1985–1996), Liftback, FWD — shown versions:

The two 150 hp turbos share output; they differ by kerb (1186 kg vs 1236 kg, +50 kg) and 0–100 (7.9 s vs 8.2 s). Fuel 92 is measured on the three turbos; 95 on the 100 hp carburettor pair and the 116 / 137 hp injection cars. Engine oil, wheel specs, and a 2.5 TD are not measured.

Performance and economy

Fastest 0–100 in the whole file: 1 generation 2.0 MT 155 hp at 7.8 s, then the lighter 150 hp turbo at 7.9 s, then the heavier 150 hp turbo at 8.2 s. Among estates, 2.4 AT is 8.5 s in both later generations — 0.7 s slower than the 155 hp liftback, on +513 kg of kerb versus that 1142 kg car.

On 2 generation, restyling: 150 hp 1.9 MT 9.6 s / 210 km/h; 1.9 AT 9.9 s / 205 km/h (the automatic costs 0.3 s and 5 km/h); 2.2 MT 10.1 s / 210 km/h; 1.8 MT 10.2 s / 206 km/h; 2.2 AT 10.7 s / 205 km/h; 120 hp 1.9 MT 11.3 s / 195 km/h. The 150 hp diesel manual is 1.7 s and 15 km/h ahead of the 120 hp 1.9 MT for +30 hp and +40 Nm. 2.4 AT is 216 km/h, the estate top speed.

Mixed consumption measured on the restyle: 1.9 AT 6.9 l/100 km (city 9.1, highway 5.6), CO2 181; 1.8 MT 7.5 (city 9.9, highway 6.1); 2.2 AT 9.7 (city 13, highway 7.8). 2.2 MT, both 1.9 MT, and 2.4 AT consumption on the restyle is not measured. Eco class on the restyle is not measured.

On 2 generation, mixed figures exist for more cars: both 1.9 MT 6.1; 1.8 MT 7.5; 1.9 AT 7.1; 2.4 AT 8.0; 2.2 MT 8.6; 2.2 AT 9.7. City/highway on 1.8 MT is recorded as 6.1 / 9.9 here and 9.9 / 6.1 after restyle — the mixed figure is the same 7.5. 1.9 AT mixed improves 7.1 → 6.9 after restyle. 2.2 AT mixed is unchanged at 9.7.

1 generation 0–100 not measured on 1.6 MT, 2.0 MT 90 hp, 2.0 AT 100 hp, 2.0 MT 113 hp. Measured: 2.0 MT 100 hp 11.7 s / 183 km/h; 2.0 AT 116 hp 12.6 s / 186 km/h; 2.0 MT 116 hp 10.5 s / 190 km/h; 2.0 MT 120 hp 9.9 s / 192 km/h; 2.0 MT 137 hp 10.1 s / 200 km/h. The 116 hp automatic is 2.1 s slower than the matching 2.0 MT. Mixed: 1.6 MT 8.4; 2.0 AT 100 hp 8.2; 2.0 MT 100 hp 7.2. Turbo consumption is not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Wheel sizes are not measured on any version. Tank: 65 l (1 generation), 62 l (both later generations).

Kerb / kg per hp (restyle, where kerb is measured): 2.4 AT 1655 kg / 8.28 kg/hp; 2.2 MT 1515 / 10.10; 1.9 AT 1515 / 10.10; 1.8 MT 1435 / 10.25; 1.9 MT 150 hp 1535 / 10.23; 2.2 AT 1535 / 10.23; 1.9 MT 120 hp 1525 / 12.71. The 120 hp diesel is the heaviest per horsepower on the restyle. Gross: 1.8 MT 1950 kg (payload 515 kg); 2.4 AT 2170 kg (payload 515 kg); 1.9 AT 2060 kg (payload 545 kg).

Clearance on the restyle is 150 mm on 1.8 MT and 2.2 AT, not measured on the other five. On 2 generation, 140 mm on 1.8 MT, both 1.9 MT, and 2.4 AT; 150 mm on 2.2 MT, 1.9 AT, 2.2 AT. 2 generation 2.2 AT kerb and gross are not measured. 2.2 MT and 1.9 AT gross on 2 generation are not measured.

1 generation is the light catalogue: 1.6 MT 1095 kg (13.2 kg/hp); 2.0 MT 120 hp 1098 kg (9.15 kg/hp); 2.0 MT 155 hp 1142 kg (7.37 kg/hp); 2.0 MT 137 hp 1253 kg (9.15 kg/hp). Gross not measured on 1.6 MT, 2.0 MT 90 hp, 2.0 MT 113 hp.

Which version to choose

Daily later estate, diesel, automatic. 1.9 AT after restyle: 150 hp, 320 Nm at 2000 rpm, 9.9 s, mixed 6.9, CO2 181, kerb 1515 kg. Versus 2 generation 1.9 AT you keep the same 0–100 and 205 km/h, lose 100 kg, and mixed falls 0.2. Versus restyle 2.2 AT you have the same 150 hp but +116 Nm, −0.8 s, mixed 6.9 vs 9.7 (−2.8), and −20 kg. The extra displacement of the petrol automatic does not buy speed here.

Daily later estate, diesel, manual. 150 hp 1.9 MT in either later generation: 9.6 s, 210 km/h, 320 Nm. It is 0.3 s and 5 km/h quicker than 1.9 AT. Restyle consumption for this manual is not measured; 2 generation mixed is 6.1, 0.8 below restyle 1.9 AT and 1.0 below pre-restyle 1.9 AT. Do not buy the 120 hp 1.9 MT for performance: −30 hp, −40 Nm, +1.7 s, −15 km/h, and 12.71 kg/hp versus 10.23. On 2 generation both 1.9 MT share mixed 6.1, so the 120 hp car is not the economy win in that block.

Maximum estate performance. 2.4 AT, 5 Inline, 200 hp, 400 Nm, 8.5 s, 216 km/h. Versus restyle 1.9 AT: +50 hp, +80 Nm, −1.4 s, +11 km/h, +140 kg. Mixed on the restyle 2.4 AT is not measured; on 2 generation it is 8.0 versus 7.1 for 1.9 AT. You pay mass and, where measured, fuel for the only 200 hp Croma.

Petrol estate. 1.8 MT is the lightest later car (1435 kg restyle / 1430 kg before), 140 hp from 1796 cc (77.9 hp/l), 10.2 s, mixed 7.5. 2.2 MT adds 10 hp, 28 Nm, 0.1 s, 4 km/h, and 80 kg (restyle). Restyle 2.2 MT consumption is not measured; 2 generation mixed 8.6 is +1.1 versus 1.8 MT. 2.2 AT is the slowest later petrol (10.7 s) and the thirstiest measured later car (9.7 mixed). Choose 1.8 MT unless you need Automatic.

Fiat Croma 2008 / 2009 / 2010. That calendar is 2 generation, restyling. Same seven names as 2005–2007. Buy restyle if you want Ventilated disc fronts, Independent, spring rear on the 1.8 MT and the leaf-spring diesels, +10 mm clearance on 1.8 MT, and the −100 kg 1.9 AT. Buy 2 generation if you need the measured Euro 4 tags on 2.2 MT, 1.9 AT, or 2.2 AT, or the fuller consumption set (including 2.4 AT mixed 8.0 and both 1.9 MT at 6.1).

Fiat Croma 1990 / turbo / 2.0 engine. That is 1 generation. For a driver’s liftback, 2.0 MT 155 hp: 7.8 s, 210 km/h, 1142 kg, 7.37 kg/hp — 0.7 s quicker and 513 kg lighter than later 2.4 AT, with −45 hp. The lighter 150 hp 2.0 MT turbo (1186 kg, 7.9 s) is the next pick; the heavier 150 hp turbo (1236 kg, 8.2 s) is the same peak output with +50 kg. For a naturally aspirated 2.0 MT, 120 hp at 1098 kg and 9.9 s beats 137 hp at 1253 kg and 10.1 s on both time and mass. 1.6 MT is the lightest Croma (1095 kg) and the slowest shown top speed (170 km/h); 0–100 not measured. 2.0 AT 116 hp is the slowest measured sprint (12.6 s). Problems, reliability, service reset, and original dampers are not measured.