Fiat Ulysse Review (2003 to 2006)

Quick Summary

The Ulysse makes a very sweet deal if you're good at managing compromise. There are bigger MPVs and there are people carriers that are better to drive, but few make carrying as much capacity seem as effortless as the big Fiat. Likewise, it offers a very good value alternative to the more frequently found Citroen C8 and Peugeot 807 models. In short, the Ulysse makes a better used buy than many would give it credit for. The 2.2-litre turbodiesel is the pick of the bunch but it's hard to finger a genuinely weak link. It's one of those cars that comes into its own as a used buy and if you can track down a well looked-after example, you should wind up with an MPV that's still broadly conversant with the current state of the art with a huge chunk of its new price lopped off. That has to be good news in anyone's language.

Overall:

Models Covered: (2.0 petrol 2.0, 2.2 turbodiesel [Dynamic, Eleganza, Prestigio])

U AND NON-U

2003 marked a watershed in the history of the MPV people carrier. Until that date, the market had been carved up first by the Renault Espace and, when the Espace had become a rather boutique product, the combined might of the Ford Galaxy, the Volkswagen Sharan and the SEAT Alhambra. This trio of cars (often dubbed the Sharalaxy or the Galshambra) dominated the sales charts until another trio of MPVs built around a common platform showed the way forward. Fiat's Ulysse was one constituent of this triple-pronged assault, the others being the Citroen C8 and the Peugeot 807. Of the three cars, the Ulysse probably got the smallest share of the action but it just might be the smartest of the lot when it comes to used buys.
Used Fiat Ulysse for sale

History of the Ulysse

Whilst the old Ulysse was an honest but unspectacular vehicle largely committed to dull utility, the second generation Ulysse offered all of the essentials and a big dose of style thrown in as well. Design flair was something we hadn't always been accustomed to when it came to people carriers and if the public were a little suspicious to begin with, sales soon picked up with a healthy order book reported by the tail end of 2003.Where the Ulysse suffered in the partnership was being the overlooked middle child. Citroen dealers managed to undercut the Fiat with aggressive promotion and insurance deals whereas the Peugeot was clearly positioned as the aspirational choice. The Fiat was 'The Other One' and suffered by comparison. Commissioned to graft a little of Fiat's corporate flavour onto the car, the designers didn't do a bad job and the Ulysse has a little more character than either of its stablemates. The award of a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and Fleet World's Best MPV award followed soon after its February 2003 launch. The Ulysse quietly slipped from the range in early 2006.
Used Fiat Ulysse for sale

Fiat Ulysse Road Test

Three engines are available; one petrol unit and a pair of diesels. The petrol engine is familiar to many Fiat-watchers, being the familiar 2.0-litre 16v unit seen in the previous model, and it's a pretty good powerplant. The 2.0-litre JTD diesel will probably prove more popular with UK buyers and for those who really want to go to town, there's a range-topping 2.2-litre JTD diesel. All three of the engines have something to be said for them. The gearchange isn't the last word in sweet shifting slickness, but an automatic is available with the 2.0-litre petrol versions.Bear in mind that the high centre of gravity means you can't throw the thing around too much; if you want to do that in an MPV, buy a Ford Galaxy/VW Sharan/SEAT Alhambra. Nevertheless, despite the slab sides, handling is agreeably mannered. The JTD diesel engines are among the best in class in terms of refinement and torque.
Used Fiat Ulysse for sale

Buying a Fiat Ulysse

Not much goes wrong. As with all MPVs, you'll need to watch for damage to the interior trim - scratches, cracks and so on. Many Ulysses will have had hard use. Watch out too for parking bumps and scrapes from drivers unused to the car's size. Check for uneven front tyre wear. Look for worn or sticking runners on the sliding doors.
Used Fiat Ulysse for sale

Fiat Ulysse Typical Pricing

If the Fiat's relatively weak public perception has been bad news for the Italian company, it represents great news for the used car buyer. A 2.0-litre petrol Dynamic model which retailed for £17,155 in 2003 can now be had for just under £9,000, with Eleganza automatics commanding around £9,600. The 2.0-litre JTD diesel is a more satisfying powerplant and these open at £10,100 for a Dynamic on a 2003 52 plate with a range-topping Prestigio starting at £11,400. The 2.2-litre JTD Prestigio starts at £11,700 and rises to around £13,600 for a 2004 04 plated example. Insurance is rated at between Group 10 and Group 12.
Used Fiat Ulysse for sale

Fiat Ulysse Parts

(based on a 2004 Ulysse 2.0 ex Vat) Prices are slightly more expensive for presumably identical parts on a Ulysse than on its Peugeot 807 and Citroen C8 counterparts. A clutch assembly is around £215, front brake pads £55, rear pads £50, a starter motor £250 and an alternator around £285.
Used Fiat Ulysse for sale