Fiat Bravo Review: 2007 Model | Bravo | Car Buyers Guide

2007 Fiat Bravo Review

As I write this I’m sitting in Roma airport and there’s a Europcar Fiat Bravo parked right in front of me. They’ve wheeled one into the terminal to lure recently deplaned tourists to the Europcar rental desk so they can get their hands on their own Bravo hatchback with which to explore the Italian countryside. It says a lot for the Bravo that it, rather than a new 3-Series or an Alfa Romeo Spider, is being used to catch people’s eye as they stagger off the plane. Despite its role as humble family transport, the Bravo manages to be handsome, seductive and curiously classy, the perfect vehicular ambassador.

Driving through Co. Meath, the Bravo looks just as good. Our test car is the same dark bronze colour as the car in the airport, which also seems to be the exact same hue as the impressive cleavage that’s constantly on display in Italy, so it’s understandable why everyone turns for a second look. Our car has Italian plates, is left-hand drive and is kitted out to a very high specification level, too, which makes it look just a little more exotic than perhaps it has a right to, but despite the jewellery it’s still quite a great looking car in its own right, especially compared to the likes of the drab Golf and snoozy Focus. If only the Bravo’s rear view matched the front end and profile for drama and aggression. It looks a little shapeless and unfinished, I feel.

Inside, it’s clear Fiat has also been working on the design and build quality to take both to a new standard for the Italian brand. Visually, it’s a lot more cohesive and upmarket than any previous Fiat model and it seems like it should be fairly straightforward to use, too, provided you avoid the fussy satellite navigation system. The driving position on our LHD car could be adjusted to cater to just about every shape and form imaginable, while the gear lever and pedals are also located exactly as you’d expect them. We’re going to assume RHD models will be no less accommodating. Having said that, though, the Bravo’s cabin is not the revolution I had hoped for in terms of interior execution. The plastics get progressively cheaper the lower you go in the dashboard and by the time you get to the door pockets and around the handbrake you’re back to the hard, shiny, scratchy stuff we had hoped to leave behind. Rear space isn’t as good as I’d expected either, with legroom and headroom at a premium for anyone over five-foot-eight. A Golf or Focus are much roomier in the back and have more airy cabins also. Fiat could do with lightening things up in there.

On the move, the Bravo is, again, a mixed bag. We like the welldamped ride, the hushed cruising and the exceptional stability even at speed. We like the responsive steering and the positive feel to the brakes, clutch and gear lever. We also very much enjoyed the 150hp and 305Nm its 1.9-litre MJET turbo-diesel churned out with ease, while sipping only 5.6 litres per 100km driven. But we didn’t care for the lack of steering feel or weight, nor did anyone in the car enjoy the excessive body-roll in corners, which makes it feel like it’s about to fly off the road even though it’s actually gripping quite strongly. These are small matters that should be ironed out once the car goes on sale in right-hand-drive (we hope) but they’re enough to make someone like me, who likes to drive, go running to the nearest Ford dealer for a Focus Zetec instead.

But then another pair of bronzed bombshells goes bouncing by and my eye is drawn once more to the handsome dark brown car in the corner. It’s fickle, I know, to choose a car purely on its looks but it’s just so much more interesting to behold than the opposition. Perhaps when I see a milky white one in boggo Irish spec I’ll feel differently. For now, though, seeing it all bronzed and Italian… Bravo indeed.

Compare specs to an alternative car!
€ 20,695 when New

Key Facts

New Price
€ 20,695
Make

Fiat

Model
Bravo
Variant
1.9 M-Jet D Active
First Launched
2007
Transmission
Manual
Engine & Transmission
5 speed manual
Fuel type
Diesel
Body Type
Hatchback

Running Costs

Tax
637
Tax Band
B2
Average L/100km
4.42
CO2 emmissions (g/km)
139

Performance

Driven Wheels
Front
Engine (L)
1910
Break Horsepower
120
Top Speed
194
Acceleration (0-100 km/h)
10.5
Cylinders
4
Torque
255

Space & Practicality

Doors
5
Seats
5
Kerb weight
1320
Tyre Size Front
1320

Safety

Fiat Bravo ( 2007)

69/100
our score
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Pros
  • Styling & Design

    Handsome shape

  • Engine Specifications

    Great engine

  • Performance

    Slow 1.4

  • Ride & Handling

    Quick steering

  • Interior & Ergonomics

    Simple to use

  • Space & Practicality

    Roomy up front

  • Safety

    Decent spec

  • Value & Running Costs

    Decent value

  • Quality & Refinement

    Quiet

  • Equipment

    Decent kit

  • Summary

    Good looking, great engines

Cons
  • Styling & Design

    Boring rear

  • Engine Specifications

    1.4, no small diesel

  • Performance

    Turbo torque

  • Ride & Handling

    Short of feel, ride

  • Interior & Ergonomics

    Unadventurous

  • Space & Practicality

    Rear, dash storage

  • Safety

    ESP only on Sport

  • Value & Running Costs

    Not cheap, resale?

  • Quality & Refinement

    Plastics, ride

  • Equipment

    Basic 'Active'

  • Summary

    Rear Space, ride, quality

Style & Design
8/10

This is the most mature and upmarket Fiat in recent memory, with gorgeous detailing, a muscular stance and a purposeful profile. The rear view is its weakest angle but even then, in the right colour and on the right wheels, it looks great.

Performance
9/10

Apart from the sluggish non-turbo 1.4, all Bravos perform exceptionally well. Forget the 0-100km/h times, these engines are all about big lumps of mid-range torque which helps them feel responsive and lively on the move. 150hp 1.4 T-Jet is our favourite.

Ride & Handling
6/10

The Bravo is Stilo based and while it's much better to drive than the old car it's still no Ford Focus. The ride is choppy and the steering, while quick, lacks real feel although there is some weight there now. A notchy gearbox doesn't help matters.

Interior & Ergonomics
7/10

The overall cabin layout is decent and it's pretty simple to use (don't get the bewildering Sat Nav, though) but it's rather boring inside and still has that tinny Fiat feel to it. Visibility is only fair (thick pillars front and rear) but the driving position can be adjusted to suit all tastes.

Quality & Refinement
6/10

Though Fiat has talked up the Bravo's quality it's not on a par with rivals and not even a match for the company's own 500. Mechanically it should be tough but the trim won't hold up. The smooth engines help refinement and it's a quite cruiser too but the ride could be better.

Safety
7/10

All Bravos have four airbags, passenger airbag switch and ISOFIX front and rear. All but base 'Active' model have curtain 'bags and foglights with cornering illumination while Sport versions have ESP as standard.

Space & Practicality
6/10

Front occupants are well catered to in the Bravo but rear space is only average for the class - rear legroom is tight although headroom is acceptable. The boot's a decent size but in-cabin storage is only so-so and Fiat still doesn't seem to grasp what the purpose of a cup-holder is.

Value & Running Costs
5/10

With the Bravo Fiat is attempting to move the brand upmarket so the family car Fiat no longer the bargain it once was. You do get a decent car for your money but it lack the sophistication (engines aside) and quality of many rivals. Running costs should be class average but resale is a worry.

Equipment
7/10

'Active' gets electric f/windows & mirrors, remote locks & trip computer. 'Dynamic' adds 16" alloys, leather steering wheel + audio controls, curtain airbags, rear air vents & climate control. 'Emotion' adds 17" alloys, 2-zone climate & bluetooth. Sport adds ESP, bodykit & sporty interior.

Engine Specifications
8/10

Three engines power the new Bravo in Ireland, a strained 95hp 1.4-litre, a gutsy and sweet-sounding 1.4-litre Turbo (available with 120 & 150hp) and an equally impressive 1.9 M-Jet diesel (also available with 120 & 150hp). All but the base engine are really rather excellent. No small diesel though.


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