Fiat Stilo

Fiat Stilo: which version to buy

If you are choosing a Fiat Stilo rather than reading a model overview, the short answer from the measured numbers is this: the 1 generation (2001–2007) Hatchback 3-door is the only generation, all 12 listed versions are FWD, and the useful split is Gasoline versus Diesel. For a cheap, light town car, the lighter 1.4 MT (95 hp) beats the 1.2 MT (80 hp) on the same 1090 kg kerb weight.

If you are choosing a Fiat Stilo rather than reading a model overview, the short answer from the measured numbers is this: the 1 generation (2001–2007) Hatchback 3-door is the only generation, all 12 listed versions are FWD, and the useful split is Gasoline versus Diesel. For a cheap, light town car, the lighter 1.4 MT (95 hp) beats the 1.2 MT (80 hp) on the same 1090 kg kerb weight. For daily economy, the 1.9 MT (115 hp) Diesel at 5.3 l/100 km mixed is the lowest mixed figure in the table. For the most power, the 2.5 AT (170 hp) Gasoline Automatic is the only automatic and the only 5-cylinder, at 8.5 s to 100 km/h and 215 km/h. For the most torque without that Automatic, the 1.9 MT (140 hp) Diesel (6 gears) has 305 Nm. There is no second generation to “wait for”: every comparison below is inside 1 generation.

Which generation to buy

There is one generation. Fiat Stilo 1 generation ran from 2001-01-01 to 2007-12-31 as a Hatchback 3-door. The catalogue lists 22 versions for that generation and shows 12 of them here; every shown version is dated 2001-11-01 to 2004-09-30. Ground clearance is 150 mm and the tank is 58 l on every version. Drive is FWD on every version. Wheel sizes are not measured. CO2 is not measured. Eco class is not measured.

That means you are not choosing a restyle year or a later platform. You are choosing engine, gearbox, and which of the two weight/performance rows share the same name.

Same names, two rows: do not mix them up

Four Gasoline names appear twice. They are not the same car on the scale.

1.2 MT (80 hp, 59 kW, 1242 cm³, Gasoline, Inline 4, boost No, Manual 5, FWD) exists as:

• 1090 kg kerb / 1600 kg gross: 13.4 s, 172 km/h, 7.9 / 5.3 / 6.4 l/100 km (city / highway / mixed)
• 1165 kg kerb / 1656 kg gross: 13.8 s, 170 km/h, 8.3 / 5.5 / 6.5 l/100 km

The heavier 1.2 MT (80 hp) is 75 kg heavier (+6.9%), 0.4 s slower to 100 km/h, 2 km/h slower at the top, and 0.1 l/100 km thirstier mixed. Compression, bore × stroke, and mixed-cycle CO2 on the heavier row: compression and bore × stroke are not measured on that row; CO2 is not measured on either.

1.4 MT (95 hp, 70 kW, 1368 cm³, Gasoline, Inline 4, boost No, Manual 5, FWD):

• 1090 kg / 1600 kg: 12.0 s, 180 km/h, 8.2 / 5.5 / 6.5 l/100 km
• 1145 kg / 1650 kg: 12.4 s, 178 km/h, 8.5 / 5.7 / 6.7 l/100 km

The heavier 1.4 MT (95 hp) is 55 kg heavier, 0.4 s slower, 2 km/h slower, +0.2 l/100 km mixed.

1.6 MT (103 hp, 76 kW, 1596 cm³, Gasoline, Inline 4, boost No, Manual 5, FWD):

• 1195 kg / 1705 kg: 10.5 s, 185 km/h, 10.1 / 5.7 / 7.3 l/100 km
• 1180 kg / 1715 kg: 10.9 s, 183 km/h, 10.3 / 5.8 / 7.4 l/100 km

Here the 1180 kg 1.6 MT (103 hp) is 15 kg lighter than the 1195 kg row, yet 0.4 s slower and 2 km/h slower, with +0.1 l/100 km mixed. Weight does not explain that gap; the acceleration and consumption figures still differ as listed.

1.8 MT (133 hp, 98 kW, 1747 cm³, Gasoline, Inline 4, boost No, Manual 5, FWD):

• 1240 kg / 1750 kg: 9.9 s, 202 km/h, 11.3 / 6.1 / 8.0 l/100 km
• 1295 kg / 1800 kg: 10.3 s, 200 km/h, 11.5 / 6.2 / 8.1 l/100 km

The heavier 1.8 MT (133 hp) is 55 kg heavier, 0.4 s slower, 2 km/h slower, +0.1 l/100 km mixed. Engine position on the 1295 kg 1.8 MT (133 hp) is not measured; on the 1240 kg row it is Front, transverse.

Rule of thumb from these four pairs: if two rows share a name, pick the faster 0–100 figure unless you have a reason not to. The 0–100 gap is 0.4 s on every Gasoline pair.

The three Diesel rows all share the name 1.9 MT and must be split by power: 80 hp, 115 hp, and 140 hp. They are not duplicates of each other.

Specs table (engines)

Feed on Gasoline rows is Distributed injection (multi-point) except where noted; on all three 1.9 MT Diesels the feed system is not measured. Engine position on 2.5 AT (170 hp) is not measured. Suspension is Independent, spring front and rear on every version. Brakes: Ventilated disc front, Disc rear on every version.

What the extra displacement buys (Gasoline ladder)

Use the lighter/faster Gasoline row of each name so the step is engine, not the 0.4 s twin-row offset.

1.2 MT (80 hp, 1090 kg) → 1.4 MT (95 hp, 1090 kg): same 1090 kg. +15 hp (+18.8%) from +126 cm³. 0–100 drops 1.4 s (13.4 → 12.0). Top speed +8 km/h (172 → 180). Mixed consumption +0.1 l/100 km (6.4 → 6.5). Specific output 64.4 hp/l → 69.4 hp/l. Weight per hp 13.63 kg/hp → 11.47 kg/hp. Compression 10.6 → 11.2. Bore × stroke 70.8 × 78.86 → 72 × 84. This is the cheapest power you can buy in the table: no extra kerb weight, almost no extra mixed fuel.

1.4 MT (95 hp, 1090 kg) → 1.6 MT (103 hp, 1195 kg): +8 hp (+8.4%) for +105 kg (+9.6%). 0–100 12.0 → 10.5 s (−1.5 s). Top speed 180 → 185 km/h. Mixed 6.5 → 7.3 l/100 km (+0.8). City jumps 8.2 → 10.1 l/100 km. Specific output falls 69.4 → 64.5 hp/l. Weight per hp 11.47 → 11.60 kg/hp — almost unchanged. You pay mass and city fuel for 1.5 s.

1.6 MT (103 hp, 1195 kg) → 1.8 MT (133 hp, 1240 kg): +30 hp (+29.1%) for +45 kg. 0–100 10.5 → 9.9 s (−0.6 s). Top speed 185 → 202 km/h (+17). Mixed 7.3 → 8.0 l/100 km. Specific output 64.5 → 76.1 hp/l (best Gasoline four-cylinder in the table). Weight per hp 11.60 → 9.32 kg/hp. Peak power rpm 5750 → 6400. This step buys top speed more than it buys 0–100.

1.8 MT (133 hp, 1240 kg) → 2.5 AT (170 hp, 1265 kg): +37 hp (+27.8%) for +25 kg, and you leave Manual 5 for Automatic 5. Cylinders 4 → 5. 0–100 9.9 → 8.5 s (−1.4 s). Top speed 202 → 215 km/h. Mixed 8.0 → 9.7 l/100 km (+1.7). City 11.3 → 13.5 l/100 km. Torque 162 → 221 Nm. Weight per hp 9.32 → 7.44 kg/hp (lightest per hp in the whole table). Specific output 76.1 → 69.5 hp/l. The Automatic is the only non-Manual Fiat Stilo in these data; if you need Automatic, this is the only version, not a trim option on a smaller engine.

Diesel 1.9 MT: three powers, one displacement

All three Diesels are 1910 cm³, Inline 4, 2 valves per cylinder, Turbo, Diesel fuel, Front, transverse, compression 18.5, bore × stroke 82 × 90.4.

1.9 MT (80 hp) vs 1.9 MT (115 hp): same 5-speed Manual. +35 hp, +59 Nm (196 → 255), torque peak 1500 → 2000 rpm. Kerb 1250 → 1265 kg (+15 kg). 0–100 12.9 → 10.3 s (−2.6 s). Top speed 172 → 192 km/h. Mixed 5.4 → 5.3 l/100 km (the 115 hp car uses less mixed fuel). Highway 4.5 → 4.2 l/100 km. City 7.0 → 7.2. Weight per hp 15.63 → 11.00 kg/hp. The 80 hp Diesel matches the 80 hp 1.2 MT Gasoline on power and on 172 km/h (lighter Gasoline row) but carries 160 kg more (1250 vs 1090) and is 0.5 s quicker than that Gasoline (12.9 vs 13.4) because 196 Nm vs 114 Nm. Mixed fuel 5.4 vs 6.4 l/100 km.

1.9 MT (115 hp) vs 1.9 MT (140 hp): +25 hp, +50 Nm (255 → 305), gears 5 → 6. Kerb 1265 → 1285 kg (+20 kg). 0–100 10.3 → 9.7 s (−0.6 s). Top speed 192 → 203 km/h. Mixed 5.3 → 5.4 l/100 km. City 7.2 → 7.6. Highway both 4.2 l/100 km. Weight per hp 11.00 → 9.18 kg/hp. Specific output 60.2 → 73.3 hp/l. The sixth gear does not show up as a highway-consumption win in these figures (4.2 vs 4.2); it shows up as 203 km/h vs 192 km/h and 9.7 s vs 10.3 s.

Performance and mpg: Gasoline vs Diesel at similar pace

Cross-fuel picks, using the faster Gasoline row of each name:

• 1.4 MT (95 hp, 1090 kg, 12.0 s, 6.5 mixed) vs 1.9 MT (80 hp, 12.9 s, 5.4 mixed): Gasoline is 0.9 s quicker; Diesel uses 1.1 l/100 km less mixed and 82 Nm more torque (196 vs 128).
• 1.6 MT (103 hp, 1195 kg, 10.5 s, 7.3 mixed, 145 Nm) vs 1.9 MT (115 hp, 10.3 s, 5.3 mixed, 255 Nm): Diesel is 0.2 s quicker, 2.0 l/100 km less mixed, 110 Nm more, 70 kg heavier (1265 vs 1195). This is the closest “same job” pair in the catalogue.
• 1.8 MT (133 hp, 1240 kg, 9.9 s, 8.0 mixed, 162 Nm, 202 km/h) vs 1.9 MT (140 hp, 9.7 s, 5.4 mixed, 305 Nm, 203 km/h): Diesel is 0.2 s quicker, 0.1 km/h is not the story — top speeds are 202 vs 203 — and 2.6 l/100 km less mixed, with 143 Nm more torque, at +45 kg (1285 vs 1240).
• 2.5 AT (170 hp, 8.5 s, 9.7 mixed, 221 Nm, 215 km/h) vs 1.9 MT (140 hp, 9.7 s, 5.4 mixed, 305 Nm, 203 km/h): Automatic Gasoline is 1.2 s quicker and 12 km/h faster; Diesel uses 4.3 l/100 km less mixed and 84 Nm more torque. City 13.5 vs 7.6 l/100 km.

Range on the 58 l tank at mixed figure (arithmetic only): 1.9 MT (115 hp) 58 / 5.3 ≈ 10.9 units of 100 km; 2.5 AT (170 hp) 58 / 9.7 ≈ 6.0 of the same units. That is the economy spread of the model.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance 150 mm and tank 58 l do not change with version. Wheel sizes are not measured on any version.

Kerb weight span: 1090 kg (1.2 MT 80 hp lighter row and 1.4 MT 95 hp lighter row) to 1295 kg (1.8 MT 133 hp heavier row) — 205 kg, 18.8% of the lightest. Gross: 1600 kg to 1800 kg.

Weight per hp extremes: 15.63 kg/hp on 1.9 MT (80 hp); 7.44 kg/hp on 2.5 AT (170 hp). Among Manual cars, 1.9 MT (140 hp) at 9.18 kg/hp and 1.8 MT (133 hp, 1240 kg) at 9.32 kg/hp are the two densest.

Which version to choose

Buy the lighter 1.4 MT (95 hp, 1090 kg) if you want Gasoline, Manual, and the least wasted mass. Versus the lighter 1.2 MT (80 hp) you gain 15 hp and 1.4 s for 0.1 l/100 km mixed on the same 1090 kg. Versus the heavier 1.4 MT (95 hp, 1145 kg) you gain 0.4 s and 0.2 l/100 km mixed with no power change.

Skip the 1.2 MT (80 hp) unless you specifically want the smallest 1242 cm³ Gasoline. It is the slowest Gasoline (13.4 s / 13.8 s) and ties the 1.9 MT (80 hp) Diesel for lowest power. The Diesel 80 hp already undercuts it on mixed fuel (5.4 vs 6.4 / 6.5).

Buy 1.6 MT (103 hp) only if you want a Gasoline that breaks 11 s. The 1195 kg row (10.5 s, 185 km/h, 7.3 mixed) is the one to take; the 1180 kg row is slower (10.9 s) despite lower kerb weight. Compared with 1.4 MT (95 hp, 1090 kg) you spend 105 kg and 0.8 l/100 km mixed for 1.5 s. Compared with 1.9 MT (115 hp) you lose on 0–100, torque, and mixed fuel at once.

Buy the 1240 kg 1.8 MT (133 hp) if you want Gasoline Manual and more than 200 km/h (202 km/h) without the Automatic. It is 0.6 s quicker than 1.6 MT (103 hp, 1195 kg) and 17 km/h faster, at +0.7 l/100 km mixed. It is 0.2 s slower than 1.9 MT (140 hp) and uses 2.6 l/100 km more mixed.

Buy 2.5 AT (170 hp) if and only if you need Automatic or the highest power and top speed (170 hp, 8.5 s, 215 km/h). It is the only Automatic, the only 5 Inline, the heaviest mixed Gasoline at 9.7 l/100 km, and the only version with engine position not measured. There is no Automatic Diesel in these data.

Buy 1.9 MT (115 hp) as the default Diesel. It is the lowest mixed consumption in the table (5.3 l/100 km), 10.3 s, 192 km/h, 255 Nm. Versus 1.9 MT (80 hp) it is 2.6 s quicker and 0.1 l/100 km leaner mixed — there is no economy case for the 80 hp Diesel once 115 hp exists.

Buy 1.9 MT (140 hp) if you want the most Diesel torque (305 Nm), the only 6-speed, 9.7 s, and 203 km/h. Versus 1.9 MT (115 hp) you pay +0.1 l/100 km mixed and +20 kg for 0.6 s and 11 km/h. Versus 2.5 AT (170 hp) you give up 1.2 s and Automatic, and keep 4.3 l/100 km mixed.

Reliability / problems: this dataset does not measure reliability, failure rates, or common faults. What it does measure is that every version shares Independent, spring suspension, Ventilated disc / Disc brakes, 150 mm clearance, 58 l tank, and FWD. Differences you can actually count are power, mass, gears, and fuel.

Prices are not in the data, so “extra money” here means extra litres, extra kilograms, and extra seconds — not list price.