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Fiat Sedici 1.6 Dynamic

Test date 18 April 2006  Price as tested  £12,689

What's new?

A small SUV, like the Suzuki SX-4 - the pair are same underneath and both are built by Suzuki in Hungary. Suzuki’s alternative is 2wd or 4wd; Fiat is offering 4wd only. This is the first time we’ve driven the Sedici in the UK.

What's it like?

The 1.6-litre Sedici is a pretty decent thing: it rides reasonably, steers and handles tidily and the engine, though not a paragon of refinement, is respectably punchy. This is a guilt-free 4x4, too: at 39.8mpg on the combined cycle, the Sedici’s fuel consumption is at least as good as a regular small family hatch’s. It’s also pretty handy off-road: light and agile, finding traction where you wouldn’t expect it to.

There’s no low-ratio, though, and the anti-lock doesn’t work below 4mph, so slippery, lengthy descents are not the Sedici’s strength.

Should I buy one?

By all means. The Sedici is about the same size inside as a modern supermini, feels well assembled and is able dynamically. Certainly there is no notable reason to avoid it.

Matt Prior

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