We are with the Fiat Egea Hatchback (Tipo).
As you know, a short time ago a model called the Egea has joined the Fiat family. This Sedan version was so successful in a very short time that, it even was deemed worthy to the car of the year award in Europe. Right now, at my side is the sibling of that with a hatchback body. We have an opportunity now, to test this car for a short period as part of press launch. Therefore lets not waste any time and start to analyze it together.
DESIGN
Lets start to commentate the Egea Hatchback, as always, from its design. This car has almost identical face as its Sedan sibling. But of course there are one or two small variances. The first one is that the section of the fog lamps possesses a different design. The second and in my opinion more important one is that inside the headlamps of the Egea Hatchback, daylight lamps with LED technology is being used. Due to this, you see a younger and more dynamic model when you observe the Egea Hatchback from the front.As you will be able to guess, the real difference shows up when you look at this car from the side, because this car is a Hatchback where as the other sibling is a Sedan. In other words, for one thing their C columns, roofs and rear sections have very different designs than each other but there are also some parts that are the same. For example, this shoulder line that starts from the headlamps and continue all the way on the side and stop at the taillights ensure the Egea Hatchback to appear dynamic when looked at from the side. The difference shows up at the roof and at section approaching towards the rear of the car. As you know, normally the roof on Hatchback cars decline a little early and attain a round form but the decline of the roof of the Egea Hatchback actualize a bit late. The reason for this is the wish of the designers to achieve better headroom at the rear seats.
Let’s see if this situation really means wider living space. Come on let’s check on there quickly. For one thing, the Egea Hatchback from the point of view of dimensions is longer than the rivals in its class and it demonstrates this clearly in the interior. The knee room offered, if you ask me, is ahead of its rivals in its class. In other words, to have a hand span distance in a compact hatchback model in my opinion deserves praise. As to the matter of the headroom, as I have mentioned at the outside, due to the roof inclining later, a very spacious headroom is offered here.Let’s see what does this middle seat for the third passenger offer us. There is a transmission hump here but at low position, therefore you do not encounter much problem to fit your feet but the real bother here is the backrest which due to the armrest is a bit hard and where I sit is high but I have to tell you that if you have to even if you are an adult you can sit here as the third passenger.
Even though there are some differences from each other at the side view, the distinct difference between these two siblings show up at the rear. You know that the Fiat for a long time was not in the compact hatchback class and now it entered this class with the Egea Hatchback. As appearance from the rear, you can see that it is clearly as assertive as its rivals. The factors that grab attention here are the boomerang formed taillights, which consist of two parts. It definitely achieved to bring authentic and distinctive outlook.
TRUNK
All right, what kind of loading capacity does the Egea Hatchback offers let me tell you briefly about it. In here, 380 liters loading capacity is offered if full-length spare wheel is used. This is a bit above the value of the compact hatchback class. In other words deserves praise. But if you buy this car with repair kit instead of full-length spare wheel then this value increases to 440 liters and the Egea Hatchback succeeds to become peerless. Due to the boot being rectangular form, to load here is also very easy. Further more I have to give you an extra detail. Since it is longer than its rivals, to load big suitcases longitudinally secure you an advantage. And this ensures the Egea Hatchback to have one more powerful trump.INTERIOR AND DRIVING
I think we should cut the long story short, get on behind the steering wheel of the Egea Hatchback, and start the driving part. Friends, we always put on the seat belt. We start driving.
The interior looks quite like its sedan sibling but there are minor alterations. The most remarkable among them is the 7 inches touch screen multimedia supplied standard with mid and high equipment level. This high-resolution multimedia has a very appealing design, furthermore its touch sensitivity is also good, and it can easily be used.Another difference here is that the materials used on top are a bit softer and better quality. Apart from these there is no variation in the cockpit. The A/C controls are under hand; they are digital and easy to use. The indicators are illegible and easily followed. For your small items there is quite a large area in front of the gear lever and further more two cup-holders behind it. Of course, one shouldn’t forget the sliding to and fro armrest and the area inside it. The sitting position of the Egea Hatchback is low but despite that you still have a commanding angle of field of view.
The steering wheel fits to the hand well and to have depth and height adjustment ensures you to arrange your ideal driving position easily. It is very easy to use the controls on and behind the steering wheel.
ENGINE
Let us consider the engine and driving features. The Egea Hatchback is manufactured with the same engine alternatives as its sedan sibling. They are 4 of them as 1.4 liters petrol engine, 1.4 liters turbo charged petrol engine, 1.3 liters multijet and 1.6 liters multijet. Under the bonnet of the car I am testing now, 1.4 liters turbo charged T-Jet engine is functioning. This engine develops 120 HP and 215 Nm of torque and can only be purchased with 6-speed manual gearbox.
The performance of the turbo charged engine is quite good. If you expect more then you should force it a bit it definitely gives you positive answers. Apart from that you are able to receive complete answers to your expectations in your everyday use. The 6-speed manual gearbox works in harmony with the engine.
If you want to buy the Egea Hatchback with automatic gearbox you have to wait until September, but I can tell you that this engine will never be with automatic gearbox. In the coming period, in the 1.6 liters petrol engine and in the 1.6 liters diesel engine automatic gearbox option will be offered.
The road handling in my opinion is by no means to sniff at. The suspensions present road handling and comfort blended together very well. If you are on decent asphalt, you definitely advance quietly and comfortably. The Egea Hatchback, in this type of curvy roads absolutely keeps its line and displays good road handling. For example, you feel that it hugs the road even in this type of S bends.
Even though the steering is not very sensitive, it still is in a structure to satisfy the expectations. Especially with its fit to the hand you are able guide the car easily. The insulation is not bad at all. If you are advancing in this type of crushed stone surfaces, you hear the road noise a bit in the cockpit but when you are on asphalts, as on the highways the noise definitely does not penetrate the interior.
The only negative thing I can tell about comfort is that the rear of the car swings a bit in this type of road swells but it is a good thing that the suspensions work quietly. In the Egea Hatchback the Adaptive cruise control and the safety equipment that automatically breaks at high speeds are offered as standard in mid and high equipment level. I think this is a very good specialty.
The Egea Hatchback offering as standard the equipment while many models in this class do not offer and the ones who do offer it as optional definitely strengthen its hand. I can say that for the drivers who value safety in this class, this equipment will be effective in preference.
CONSUMPTION
Finally, let us consider the fuel consumption of the Egea Hatchback. I have been driving this car for a very short time therefore I should tell you from the start that I can not give a true value but the trip computer indicates after my 43 kilometers drive 10.7 liters fuel consumption averages. This of course is a high value but I guess with calm driving this value definitely will be lowered to 8 liters level. The manufacture’s data for the fuel consumption averages is indicated as 6 liters.
If you ask me, the Egea Hatchback will definitely catch the success of the Sedan.
See you.
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