Fiat Tipo

Which Fiat Tipo Version Should You Buy?

The Fiat Tipo version to choose depends on whether you value low fuel consumption, stronger acceleration, an automatic gearbox or the lighter construction of the original generation. The first-generation Mini 5-doors, produced from 1987 to 1996, offers 38 versions in the catalogue data.

The Fiat Tipo version to choose depends on whether you value low fuel consumption, stronger acceleration, an automatic gearbox or the lighter construction of the original generation. The first-generation Mini 5-doors, produced from 1987 to 1996, offers 38 versions in the catalogue data. The second-generation Sedan ran from 2015 to 2020 with 20 versions, followed by a restyling from 2020 onward in SUV 5-doors form with 11 versions. Across these three catalogue entries, every Tipo is FWD, but engines range from 999 to 1756 cc, outputs from 56 to 130 hp, and transmissions from 4-speed Automatic to 7-speed Automatic. No price data is supplied, so a value comparison can explain what each specification adds, but not whether it justifies a particular purchase price.

Fiat Tipo generations: what changed?

The first-generation Fiat Tipo, listed as Mini 5-doors, covers 1987–1996 and 38 versions. Its displayed choices use Gasoline engines from 1108 to 1756 cc, with 56–110 hp. The available transmissions are mainly 5-speed Manual, plus a 4-speed Automatic for the 1.8 AT. Kerb weight, where measured, ranges from 905 to 1134 kg. Every displayed version has independent spring suspension at both ends and 150 mm of ground clearance.

The second-generation Fiat Tipo Sedan covers 2015–2020 and 20 versions. Its displayed range expands beyond Gasoline to Diesel and LPG, while power rises to 95–120 hp. Buyers can choose 5-speed or 6-speed Manual, 6-speed Automatic, or 6-speed Robotic transmission. Compared with the first generation, measured kerb weights increase to 1150–1350 kg, but the most economical listed combined-consumption result falls to 3.4 l/100 km. Ground clearance remains 150 mm.

The restyled second generation begins in 2020 and is listed as SUV 5-doors with 11 versions. Its engine choices are the 1.0 i MT, 1.3 TD MT, 1.6 TD MT and 1.5 T4 GSE. All are Turbo, use direct injection and produce 95–130 hp. The 1.5 T4 GSE adds a 7-speed Automatic, while the other displayed choices use 5-speed or 6-speed Manual gearboxes. Independent spring suspension and disc brakes are specified at both ends.

Fiat Tipo engine specs and version comparison

Repeated version names below are separated by power and, where necessary, by their differing recorded specifications.

Power density clarifies what the newer engines provide. The restyled 999 cc 1.0 i MT develops about 100.1 hp per litre, the highest ratio among the displayed choices. The 1469 cc 1.5 T4 GSE produces about 88.5 hp per litre, while the 1598 cc 1.6 TD MT makes about 81.4 hp per litre. The first-generation 110 hp 1.8 MT produces about 62.6 hp per litre. These figures describe engine output relative to displacement; they do not independently establish reliability or durability.

Fiat Tipo performance and fuel economy

For the first generation, the quickest measured acceleration belongs to the 1.8 MT (110 hp), reaching 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds. Its maximum speed is 187 km/h. The 1.8 AT has both acceleration and maximum speed recorded as not measured. Among versions with complete consumption figures, the 1.1 MT records 6.7 l/100 km combined, compared with 8.5 l/100 km for the 1.8 MT (107 hp). Several other first-generation consumption figures are not measured.

In the second-generation Sedan range, the turbocharged Gasoline 1.4 MT (120 hp) reaches 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds and 200 km/h. The 120 hp Diesel 1.6 MT is marginally quicker in one entry at 9.7 seconds, with a 199 km/h maximum, while two other entries record 10.1 seconds and 200 km/h. The most economical recorded choice is the 1.6 MT with 3.4 l/100 km combined; its city and extra-urban figures are 4.0 and 3.0 l/100 km. The 1.6 DSG has acceleration of 10.4 seconds and a 200 km/h maximum, but city, extra-urban and combined consumption are all not measured.

The restyled range’s quickest listed version is the 1.5 T4 GSE that accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds and reaches 207 km/h. The fastest maximum speed belongs to the 1340 kg 1.6 TD MT at 208 km/h; it reaches 100 km/h in 9.8 seconds. All displayed restyled versions have city and extra-urban consumption recorded as not measured. Combined figures range from 4.5 l/100 km for the 1.3 TD MT to 5.8 l/100 km for one 1.0 i MT entry.

Fiat Tipo dimensions, weight and practical limits

Dimensions such as exterior length, width and height are not measured in the supplied data. Every displayed Tipo has 150 mm of ground clearance, so the change from Mini 5-doors to Sedan and then SUV 5-doors does not produce a recorded clearance increase.

The lightest measured first-generation car is the 905 kg 1.1 MT. Its gross weight is not measured, it has a 40-litre tank, and wheel size is not measured. The heaviest measured first-generation entry is the 1134 kg 1.4 MT (71 hp), with a 1650 kg gross weight. Subtracting the two supplied values gives a 516 kg difference between gross and kerb weight.

Second-generation kerb weights run from 1150 kg for the 1.4 16 V to 1350 kg for the 1.6 DSG. Gross weight runs from 1650 to 1850 kg, and each displayed Sedan has a 500 kg difference between its recorded gross and kerb weights. Tank capacity is either 45 or 50 litres. Recorded wheels are 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16 and 225/45 R17; wheel sizes for the remaining versions are not measured.

In the restyled range, measured kerb weight spans 1240–1415 kg and measured gross weight spans 1740–1945 kg. The 1.5 T4 GSE has both kerb and gross weight recorded as not measured. Every restyled version has a 50-litre tank, while wheel sizes are not measured.

Weight per horsepower distinguishes cars with identical or similar outputs. The 905 kg, 56 hp first-generation 1.1 MT carries about 16.2 kg per hp. The 1150 kg, 95 hp second-generation 1.4 16 V improves that to about 12.1 kg per hp. The 1240 kg, 100 hp restyled 1.0 i MT records 12.4 kg per hp, while the 1340 kg, 130 hp 1.6 TD MT records about 10.3 kg per hp. The latter therefore carries about 1.8 kg less per horsepower than the second-generation 1.4 16 V.

Which Fiat Tipo version should you choose?

Choose the second-generation 1.6 MT with 120 hp and 3.4 l/100 km combined if recorded fuel economy is the priority. It combines 320 Nm, a 6-speed Manual gearbox, 200 km/h maximum speed and 10.1-second acceleration. Its 89 g/km CO₂ figure is also the lowest measured value in the supplied data.

Choose the restyled 1.5 T4 GSE with 9.0-second acceleration if you want the quickest measured Tipo here and an Automatic. It supplies 130 hp and 240 Nm through a 7-speed Automatic, reaches 207 km/h and records 5.0 l/100 km combined. Compared with the restyled 100 hp 1.0 i MT at 5.4 l/100 km, it adds 30 hp and 50 Nm while its recorded combined consumption is 0.4 l/100 km lower.

Choose the 1340 kg restyled 1.6 TD MT if maximum speed and stronger low-speed torque matter more than an Automatic. It produces the same 130 hp as the 1.5 T4 GSE but has 320 Nm, which is 80 Nm more, and reaches 208 km/h. Its 4.7 l/100 km combined result is 0.3 l/100 km lower than the 5.0 l/100 km 1.5 T4 GSE, although it uses a 6-speed Manual rather than a 7-speed Automatic.

Choose a restyled 1.3 TD MT when low measured combined consumption matters more than acceleration. Both entries deliver 95 hp and 200 Nm and consume 4.5 l/100 km combined. The 1295 kg version reaches 100 km/h in 13.3 seconds and 181 km/h; the 1310 kg version needs 13.5 seconds and reaches 180 km/h.

For a second-generation Gasoline Sedan, the turbo 1.4 MT (120 hp) is the stronger performance choice over the naturally aspirated 1.4 MT (95 hp). It adds 25 hp and 88 Nm, reduces acceleration from 12.3 to 9.8 seconds, and raises maximum speed from 185 to 200 km/h. The trade-off in the recorded figures is combined consumption of 6.0 rather than 5.7 l/100 km.

Finally, choose the first generation mainly if its lighter build, Mini 5-doors body or older powertrain specification is the deciding factor. Within that generation, the 1.8 MT (110 hp) offers the best measured acceleration and maximum speed. The 1.1 MT is 195 kg lighter than the measured 1100 kg 1.8 alternatives and consumes 1.8 l/100 km less than the 107 hp 1.8 MT, but it gives up 54 hp and requires 6.3 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h. Reliability, engine problems, engine-oil capacity, prices and maintenance costs are not measured, so none should be inferred from these specifications.