FIAT SEDICI 2.0 16V MultiJet Eleganza 5dr (2009)

Fiat Sedici - Top notch, so far

We wanted a decent sized family car with the ability to manage some slightly challenging surfaces, but really didn't want to be paying through the nose for fuel. Well you pay through the nose for fuel whatever car you're driving these days, but the less our noses were paying through the better.

I'm not sure the Fiat Sedici is quite living up to the quoted MPG, which I recall was about mid 50s, but it's still very good, high 40s at least. That goes down of course if you want to give it some oomph or flip on the 4x4, but it does both of those things very well and very quickly and smoothly, so you're not paying for nothing.

Personally I have trouble with the clutch, I often stall it. The Fiat Sedici seems to have quite an odd clutch to my mind, can't remember one like it. That might just be my lack of control, but just test it carefully if you're thinking about buying one.

It's a pretty tall car inside, even if it looks quite sleek outside. That means lots of nice head room for everyone, and plenty of vertical storage space. The boot is taller than it is long, I think, which is ok for me as I tend to stack my luggage, but it wouldn't be much good for dogs I reckon, or for people who like to have their luggage laid out so they can reach each back individually. The back seats flip frontward towards the front seats for increased bootage, but that's kind of annoying because it makes it harder to reach back there from the front seat, cos obviously you've got a big folded up seat in the way.

I'm pleased to say it hasn't given me too much bother in terms of repairs. The first service sorted out a little bit of rattley sort of noise that was coming from somewhere.

One other little problem on the Fiat Sedici: the visibility could be better, just on account of the quite large pillars round the back, makes for less than simple parking.