Fiat Multipla

Fiat Multipla: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Fiat Multipla catalogue data covers one generation in two forms: the original Compact Van from 1998–2003, with four versions, and its 2004–2010 restyling, with five. Every listed Multipla uses FWD and a 5-speed Manual gearbox.

The Fiat Multipla catalogue data covers one generation in two forms: the original Compact Van from 1998–2003, with four versions, and its 2004–2010 restyling, with five. Every listed Multipla uses FWD and a 5-speed Manual gearbox. The main buying decision is therefore between the Gasoline 1.6 MT and the turbo Diesel 1.9 MT—and then between the specifications recorded before and after the restyling. For lower measured fuel consumption, the 1.9 MT diesels are the clear choices; for Gasoline, the 103 hp 1.6 MT offers better measured performance than the 95 hp version.

Fiat Multipla generations: what changed?

The original 1 generation ran from 1998 to 2003 as a Compact Van and contains four catalogue versions. Its Gasoline choices are the 95 hp and 103 hp 1.6 MT, while its Diesel choices are the 105 hp and 110 hp 1.9 MT. All four have FWD, a 5-speed Manual gearbox, independent spring suspension at both ends, front Disc brakes, and rear Drum brakes.

The 1 generation, restyling ran from 2004 to 2010, remained a Compact Van, and expanded the catalogue to five versions. It retained 95 hp and 103 hp 1.6 MT Gasoline specifications and added 115 hp and 120 hp 1.9 MT Diesel specifications. A further 103 hp 1.6 MT entry differs in kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, and combined consumption. Because several entries share the same exact version name, power—and occasionally weight or ground clearance—must be checked before choosing.

Fiat Multipla engine specs and version comparison

The 95 hp 1.6 MT produces about 60.1 hp per litre, while each 103 hp 1.6 MT produces about 64.5 hp per litre. Among the diesels, the 105 hp 1.9 MT delivers about 55.0 hp per litre, the 110 hp version about 57.6, the 115 hp version about 60.2, and the 120 hp version about 62.8 hp per litre.

Torque separates the engine families more clearly. The 103 hp 1.6 MT adds 8 hp and 15 Nm over the 95 hp 1.6 MT. The 110 hp 1.9 MT provides 55 Nm more than the 103 hp Gasoline version, while the restyled 120 hp 1.9 MT raises the advantage to 61 Nm. The 120 hp Diesel reaches its 206 Nm at 1450 rpm; the 103 hp Gasoline engine reaches 145 Nm at 4000 rpm.

Fiat Multipla performance, mpg and fuel economy

The restyled 103 hp 1.6 MT reaches 100 km/h 0.9 seconds sooner than the original 103 hp 1.6 MT and has a top speed 2 km/h higher. Its recorded city consumption falls by 0.4 l/100 km and highway consumption by 0.3 l/100 km. Depending on which restyled 103 hp entry is considered, combined consumption is either 8.6 or 9 l/100 km, so buyers should match the specification to the correct weight and clearance.

For measured economy, every listed 1.9 MT Diesel returns 6.4 l/100 km combined. Against the original 103 hp 1.6 MT at 9.1 l/100 km, that is a difference of 2.7 l/100 km. Against the restyled 103 hp Gasoline entries, the difference is 2.2 or 2.6 l/100 km.

The restyled 120 hp 1.9 MT is the quickest measured version at 12.1 seconds to 100 km/h and has the highest recorded top speed at 178 km/h. It is 0.3 seconds quicker and 8 km/h faster than the 115 hp 1.9 MT, although both record the same 6.4 l/100 km combined consumption. The 115 hp version has slightly lower city and highway figures: 8 and 5.5 l/100 km, compared with 8.2 and 5.6 l/100 km for the 120 hp version.

Fiat Multipla dimensions, weight and tank capacity

Overall exterior dimensions and interior dimensions are not measured in the supplied specifications. Wheel sizes are also not measured for every version. The fuel tank is consistently 63 l, while recorded ground clearance is either 120 or 130 mm.

Kerb weight changes the power-to-weight comparison. The 1305 kg restyled 103 hp 1.6 MT carries about 12.7 kg per horsepower, compared with about 13.3 kg per horsepower for the 1375 kg 103 hp entry. The original 110 hp 1.9 MT is about 12.5 kg per horsepower, while the restyled 120 hp 1.9 MT improves that to about 11.5 kg per horsepower. The 95 hp 1.6 MT has the least favourable recorded ratio at about 16.5 kg per horsepower.

Which Fiat Multipla version should you buy?

Choose the original 1.9 MT (110 hp) if measured fuel economy and a relatively strong weight-to-power ratio matter most in the 1998–2003 generation. It combines 200 Nm, 6.4 l/100 km combined consumption, a 12.2-second 0–100 km/h time, 173 km/h top speed, 1370 kg kerb weight, and 130 mm ground clearance. The 105 hp 1.9 MT matches its measured consumption and torque, but acceleration, top speed, and weight are not measured.

Choose the restyled 1.9 MT (120 hp) for the strongest all-round figures in the complete catalogue. It has the highest power at 120 hp, the highest torque at 206 Nm, the quickest measured acceleration at 12.1 seconds, the highest top speed at 178 km/h, and the best calculated weight-to-power result among entries with measured kerb weight. Its combined consumption remains 6.4 l/100 km, equal to the other measured diesels.

Choose the restyled 1.9 MT (115 hp) when the city and highway consumption figures take priority over the last increment in performance. It records 8 l/100 km in the city and 5.5 l/100 km on the highway, versus 8.2 and 5.6 l/100 km for the 120 hp version. However, its 1445 kg kerb weight produces about 12.6 kg per horsepower, and its 120 mm clearance is 10 mm lower.

Among Gasoline versions, the restyled 1.6 MT (103 hp) is preferable to the 95 hp 1.6 MT on recorded performance. It is 2.9 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 10 km/h faster at the top end, with 15 Nm more torque. Between the two restyled 103 hp entries, the 1305 kg version offers the better calculated weight-to-power ratio and 10 mm more clearance, while the 1375 kg version has the lower stated combined consumption at 8.6 rather than 9 l/100 km.

The catalogue contains no price or sale data, so it cannot establish which Fiat Multipla offers the best monetary value or what any performance increment costs. Based strictly on the supplied specifications, the restyled 1.9 MT (120 hp) is the performance choice, the 1.9 MT diesels are the measured-economy choices, and the restyled 1.6 MT (103 hp) is the strongest Gasoline alternative.