Now Rather Smarter
by Ross Finlay (06 Dec 04)

Regardless of the number of media awards the original Multipla scooped up - and there were plenty of them - nothing could hide the fact that it was just about the plug-ugliest car on the market. Many observers applauded it as one of the roomiest mid-sized MPVs, while regarding the front-end design as all but unspeakable.

As Fiat began to concentrate in other model ranges on offering attractive front styling - something it has done rather well - the Multipla began to stand out like an even sorer thumb. That's all finished now, because the latest model has a conventional front-end appearance, and the Multipla no longer seems like suitable transport for the baddies in a Harry Potter story.

Behind the A-pillars the bodyshell remains much as before, wide enough for three full-size seats in each of the two rows, and with that minimal tumble-home which means that the Multipla has more shoulder space than some other MPVs are able to offer. There are only detail changes to the rear styling, and the colossal all-round glass area is preserved.

The three trim and equipment levels are now Dynamic, Dynamic Plus and Eleganza, and while Fiat is rather pushing its luck by using the word Eleganza, this top-rated specification is certainly well kitted out. It takes in features like 15" alloy wheels, additional window airbags, a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, reverse park sensors, lumbar adjustment for the driver's seat, and rear seats which slide and fold, and can be removed altogether. They're lightly built to make that easier.

A wide range of options includes, for £250, a fridge fitted in place of the middle front seat - a dual-purpose affair actually, since it keeps warm contents warm as well as cold contents chilled. Twin sunroofs as on our test car come at another £650.

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