Fiat Croma Review (2005 to 2007)

Quick Summary

The Fiat Croma is one of the least obvious family car choices around and as such stimulates curiosity. With the steepest part of the depreciation curve now overcome, it makes an interesting used buy. Our tip would be to opt for the 16v diesel model in as generous a trim as possible.

Overall:

Models Covered: 5dr estate [1.8, 2.2 petrol / 1.9 8v 120bhp, 1.9 16v 150bhp diesel, 2.4 200bhp diesel (Dynamic, Eleganza, Prestigio)]

CROMA LONE

You're a family buyer. You want a large five-seater that represents great used car value for money. And you're considering a Fiat Croma. You're not? Well it's hardly surprising. After all, you probably don't even know what it is, in which case don't worry. You're not alone. Only a handful of these Italian models have been sold since the Croma's UK launch in Autumn 2005. But those that are on these shores represent a used car buyer's prime pick.
Used Fiat Croma for sale

History of the Croma

Those of you with longer memories may well remember the original Fiat Croma, the Type Four chassis that Fiat shared with Saab, Alfa Romeo and Lancia. Well, apart from also sharing its underpinnings (this time with the Vauxhall Signum), this one is nothing like the old car, so it's perhaps surprising that Fiat chose to retain a badge with little customer affection linked to it. Nevertheless, there it was, at the 2005 Geneva Show; an estate-ish sort of car with rather unusual dimensions that Fiat promised would break the mould.Moulds always were easier to break than sales records and the Croma, despite some positive reviews from the first journalists to get their hands on them, remained a problem child for Fiat dealers. Two diesel engines and two petrol units were offered from launch with three different trim levels, the top one of which, Prestigio, offers the sort of gear you'd expect in a car £10,000 pricier. Neither that nor a five-star EuroNCAP safety award convinced a sceptical public. The Croma was quietly dropped from the UK model range in 2007.
Used Fiat Croma for sale

Fiat Croma Road Test

Both 1.8-litre 140bhp and 2.2-litre 147bhp petrol units are strong buys but most new customers went for either the 120bhp or the 150bhp 1.9-litre turbodiesel powerplants. Rarer but desirable is the top of the range 2.4-litre diesel, which cranks out 200bhp and offers real world fuel savings along with hefty torque. The General Motors Epsilon platform actually proved quite a good foundation from which to sprout the Croma. Fundamentally wide, it allowed a number of features to be built into the chunky centre console which subsequently meant that the buttons didn't need to be the size of pinheads, something you'll appreciate when trying to adjust the controls. Fiat have helped by mounting a number of controls on the steering wheel, itself infinitely adjustable. Although some of the plastics may disappoint those who expect a genuine premium car, it's nevertheless on a par with cars like the Volvo S80 and – whisper it – some Mercs of this era.
Used Fiat Croma for sale

Buying a Fiat Croma

Put aside any preconceptions you might have: the Croma is well screwed together and initial reports from owners seem encouraging. There are certainly no complaints about any of the engines, although manual gearboxes should be checked for trouble engaging reverse.
Used Fiat Croma for sale

Fiat Croma Typical Pricing

Croma prices fluctuate quite severely, due in no small part to the car being limited in supply and therefore not listed in many trade price guides. Shopping around will net you some big savings. We looked at a 55-plate 1.9 8v diesel in Dynamic trim that was retailing at £8,295, but the cheapest 2.2-litre petrol model we could turn up was another £1,700 dearer, albeit on an 56 plate. Such is the paucity of supply that you may well have to compromise on an ideal specification and engine/colour choice. Insurance ranges from a reasonable Group 10 to a hardly plutocratic Group 14.
Used Fiat Croma for sale

Fiat Croma Parts

(Based on a 2005 Croma 2.2 16v ex.VAT) A full exhaust will be around £395 while a clutch assembly will be in the region of £165, while front brake pad sets will be just under £50. A replacement alternator should be about £90 and a starter motor will cost about £115.
Used Fiat Croma for sale