Fiat Bravo Hatchback 1995-2002

The Bravo is a popular Italian 3-door hatchback designed as a side-kick to the 5-door family hatchback Brava. Allegedly it all came from an idea of Yin-Yang ‐ a masculine and feminine, the Bravo (translates as attaboy in Italian) being the masculine and the Brava (attagirl) the feminine side. Appropriately, the Bravo was marketed as the sportier and flashier partner while the Brava's intention was to provide a safe and sensible ride for the family. Bravo/Brava was voted the European Car of The Year in 1995 by a jury that rarely gets it wrong. Both cars were intended as competition to the Golf and they did come close in some European markets before the line was replaced by Fiat Stilo, a car both visually and technically inferior.

Pros and Cons:

• Cheap and efficient
  A reasonable choice of engines
  The car does stand out

• An average driving experience
  Not as reliable as other Fiats

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Exterior and Interior

The Bravo/Brava is a good-looking car, it has a harmonious modern shape and it will stand out in a stream of characterless cars. You won't be able to tell the difference between the 3-door and 5-door modifications from the front. The Bravo has a more streamlined roof and a very different tail design. The Brava features unique 3-tiered rear lights and a more convenient access to the boot. With added 7 inches to the body length, the Brava provides an enviable luggage space, but you cannot say the same about the Bravo.

The cars came with 5 interior trims: S, SX, ELX, HLX and HGT - S being very basic and both HLX and HGT rather high-quality and exciting. Both H modifications also offer ABS which is essential for cars capable of high-speed driving. In both modifications, the seats are convenient and the driver cannot complain about ergonomics or visibility.

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Engines

Five petrol engines are available: 1.2-litre 16-valve 82BHP, 1.4-litre 12-valve 80BHP, 1.6-litre 16-valve 103BHP, 1.7-litre 16-valve 113BHP units and the sporty 2.0-litre 20-valve R5 engine producing 155BHP. Three turbo diesels were available: both with 1.9-litre displacement producing 75BHP, 100BHP and 105BHP, the latter using common-rail technology.

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Performance and Economy

Fiat wanted to launch the new cars with a bang and so they designed a totally new range of engines for Bravo/Brava. They got it right because the engines provided enough vroom while keeping the motoring costs down. The car wasn't expensive to buy as new and it is certainly not expensive in the used car market.

The diesels (apart from the 75BHP-one) will provide great fuel economy averaging at 48 to 51mpg. All petrol engines are reasonably efficient ‐ even the sportier 2.0-litre version will provide you with 28mpg. If a sporty Fiat doesn't make much sense to you, the 1.6-litre unit will be a good choice providing more than 30mpg and falling into the insurance group 13.

The car gives a respectable performance, with 1.2 giving 40 mpg, 1.6 giving 36mpg and 1.8 giving 34 mpg. The 2.0 gives a decent 30mpg. Our choice would be the diesel version as it gives 51mpg and is still good to drive.

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What it's like to Drive

The Bravo being the sportier "partner" will provide the better handling and sharper steering. However, it is not a sports car and doesn't feel like one. Both Bravo and Brava are rather average when it comes to ride quality. There's nothing extremely bad about either of the cars and if you're not expecting much, you'll save yourself from a disappointment.

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Faults and Repairs

One should avoid auto gearboxes but then it can be said about most cars made by Fiat prior to 2005. The poor quality of the ride, unfortunately, comes from the suspension. And it's not only the sensation, the mechanical soundness of Bravo/Brava's suspension is questionable that's why it's worth taking it for a good test-drive that includes pot-holed road sections. Listening for clonks and squeals is a good idea. Try to buy a used Fiat with a full service history. If the car has been looked after, it should serve you well. The electrical systems needs a good testing too. The top-trim models used to come with air-con, which is prone to packing up and sending most of other electric components into hiatus.

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