Fiat Stilo Review (2001 to date)

Quick Summary

Although the Stilo won't be an object of intense desire for too many motorists looking for a family hatch or compact estate, it's well worth a wild card slot on your shortlist of possible candidates. It feels well built, has thus far proven reliable and is fun to drive. Add to that the fact that it's usually a good deal better equipped than most of its comparatively priced rivals and you have a car that makes a great deal of sense second time round. A used Stilo may raise a few eyebrows but it's a car for the informed used buyer.

Overall:

Models Covered: 3 and 5dr hatch, 5dr MultiWagon estate [1.2, 1.6, 1.8, 2.4 petrol, 1.9 diesel (Active, Active Sport, Dynamic, GT, Abarth)]

A STILO OF SUBSTANCE

If we mention how Fiat have massively changed over the years from producing buzzy little contraptions to a company turning out some genuinely well built vehicles, it tends to invoke exasperated calls from the press office. So we won't. Let's just concentrate instead on the very agreeably screwed together Stilo, a car that Fiat can be rightly proud of. Now arriving on the used market in meaningful numbers, this is a vehicle that may not have caught the imagination of the British public but could nevertheless make a very convincing used buy.
Used Fiat Stilo for sale

History of the Stilo

The Stilo replaced two model lines when it was introduced in 2001. Despite walking off with the European Car Of The Year award in 1996, the Bravo (and its Brava five-door sibling) never really made the grade in a market that was soon to be blitzed by the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Astra. The Stilo was a car that took Fiat out of an era of so-so build quality and into a new market where it could compete head to head with premium brands like Volkswagen and Toyota. That was the script anyway.Unfortunately for Fiat, there was a significant lag between the product coming up to snuff and the public's realisation. This means that while the rest of the British car buying public struggle to come to terms with the fact that the Stilo is a class act, you can snap them up on the used market for considerably less than they should – on merit – sell for. In early 2004, the trim levels were realigned and the 5-door model received some small revisions to its rear end.
Used Fiat Stilo for sale

Fiat Stilo Road Test

The first thing that strikes you about the Fiat Stilo is its size. The Stilo looks half a class bigger than Honda Civics and Ford Focus models of similar age. The impression is entirely subjective, possibly created by the car's boldly angular planes, but it just seems seriously substantial. All of which would suggest that putting a 1.2-litre engine under the bonnet would result in a seriously underpowered creation. Fortunately it doesn't play out like that.True, the 80hp power output isn't going to cause your trousers to spontaneously combust, but it's worth putting it into context. a Ford Focus 1.4 develops 74bhp, a VW Golf 1.4 75bhp, as does a Peugeot 307 1.4. The fact that this smaller engine produces more power has to be good news in terms of power to weight ratio. The realisation that this 1.2-litre 16-valve engine is pure joy in a Fiat Punto also sparks some enthusiasm. The Stilo's performance figures bear out this promise. It can reach 60mph in 13.4 seconds, quicker than all those 1.4-litre cars and its top speed of at least 106mph means that it's not going to be found wanting at normal motorway speeds. With 170bhp under the hood you get something pretty potent. The diesels are well worth looking for given the 80bhp car's 53mpg thirst. A 58-litre fuel tank gives a theoretical range of nearly 700 miles between top ups. Able to run to 60mph in a mere 10.3 seconds, the Stilo JTD80 isn't all midrange either, the turbocharger spooling up quickly to bring the Fiat off the line without that bog, pause, wheelspin cycle of many less competent diesel installations.
Used Fiat Stilo for sale

Buying a Fiat Stilo

Although Fiat dealers have a less than stellar reputation in the industry, the Stilo has notched up some favourable customer satisfaction scores. The interior is well built, the engines are very good and there have been no recurring faults reported as yet.
Used Fiat Stilo for sale

Fiat Stilo Typical Pricing

Prices for the 1.2-litre Stilo Active three-door open at £3,500 for a car on a 2001 51 plate with about 30,000 miles showing on the clock. Five-door models are usually fractionally cheaper than the 3-doors on the used market. The 1.6-litre models are only marginally more expensive and one insurance group higher so it's worth keeping an eye open for one of these. Those looking for a sporty option should consider the 1.8 Dynamic from £3,800 or the charismatic 2.4-litre Abarth from £4,800. Diesels open at £3,900 for the 80bhp Active on a 51 plate although the 115bhp car looks a better buy at just £100 extra. Multi wagon estates are also available.
Used Fiat Stilo for sale

Fiat Stilo Parts

(approx based on a 2002 1.6 Active) A clutch assembly will be around £145 and an alternator should be close to £95 with a starter motor costing around £130. Front brake pads are £40, rear brake pads will be £55 and a replacement headlamp close to £175.
Used Fiat Stilo for sale