Fiat Linea [2008-2011] User Reviews

A diehard fan of Fiat products right from the days of Fiat Padmini I was eagerly waiting for this model. I had to change my Palio 1.2 as it clocked one Lakh KM in six years and Linea arrives at the right moment.

I Test drove for about 20 Km only but has been immensly satisfied with the car. The third gear takes care from 20 kmph and hence the drive in the city trafic is a pleasure. The pot holes laden roads were efficienltly negotiated with a smooth ride. The solid build cacoons you and you feel safe inside. on the highway. The cornering is Fiat's benchmark as in all models.

The inside plastics felt cheap and the driving positon though ok is not very comfy. The rear seats are plush, roomy and comfortable for the medium build people. As my regular drive includes cris crossing village and country roads I look for solid build and good suspension.

I sincerly hope Fiat opens its own show rooms and service centres for a paradigm shift in people's opinion. I will know more in a fortnight when I actually own a car. 

Linea Emotion Multijet - At 900Km and a week of ownership (16-03-09)

My initial impressions after a week of driving 920 km which includes a drive to Bengaluru has shown both the positives and the negetives of Linea.

The Positives:

1. Happy with the size and solid build, good driveablity in chennai roads.

2. The drive on Chennai -Bengalru highway shown all the good charecters of  Steering, manouverability, cornering and the breaking ablity. he car came alive after 2000 Rpm and a pleasure to drive. The seats are comfortable. One feels very safe because of the build.

3. The climate control A/C is very effective. Rear seat passengers get enough cooling.

4. The feature 'My car' gives lots of info and is very useful.

5.The city driving gave 13.80km/lit, and 18.20km/lit. The overall avergefor 900 km is 16.60 km/lit which very good for its size.

6. Thanks to the tyre size and the suspension car gives unbeliveable smooth  ride.

7. Good lighting in the interiors. when the doors are closed the lights dim and goes off due to LED,  which adds class.

Not so Good thigs

Delivery of vehicle: I was delivered the vehicle with a low clanky metalic noise coming from the rear left side ( due to shock absorber scraping the body)but got it rectified next day. So much for the PDI

1.Lacks power below 2000Rpm. which prompt additional gear shifts. My palio 1.2 gave better pickup. I may get used to diesal driving shortly.

 2. Its ground clearence (161mm) to its wheel base is definitly not enough when you are negotiating speed breakers (especially the ones around Bengaluru) and driving out of basement car park to the road. The car's belly gets nasty knocks.  

3. Light / wiper controls on the wrong side for Right hand drive.

4. High positioning of clutch is not at all comfortable in the city driving.

Overall I find the Car is good and i am happy.  Thats it for now I ll keep posting. 

After 11000 KM  15-07-09

I ve just completed over 11300 km now. I ve enjoyed my ride all through. I have travelled through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over good, bad and ugly roads.

My only complain still remain the same- Low Ground clearance. It sucks!!!! especially when you are driving through village and semi urban roads. The protective shield given below gets abused and knocked in these roads.

Because of this the car gave rattling noices when driven over bumps and pot holes. I had recently rectified at ConcordMotors, Ambattur, Chennai. In fact I saw the under belly of my car when they hoisted up. Fiat has given enough protection underneth but the roads has got the better of them.

Well I ve to learn to live with it.

About the Service

I am really happy that Fiat has put in place an effective service system in Concord Motors. I am happy with their handling, technical knoledge, courtesy, efficiency in identifying problems and rectifying. As of now hats off to them

Well folks, about the fuel consumption. It averaged 18 KM in the high ways and returned 12.5 KM in cities. This I checked with tankful to empty method and filling at company owned Bunks.

I ve fitted the mud flaps, and also coated with anti rusting paint.

Well one more thing to be cautioned. While cleaning your car roof Donot rest your hand and give pressure. As in my car It might Dent!!!!! , only flimsy metal is used for the roof.

After 47000KM (10-05-2011)

1. Ride comfort is still good, Handling at 140kmph and cornering at 120kmp is still superb !! Breaking is still      fabulous. Gear shifting is smooth.

2. I can speed fast many bigger cars in climbing hills/ ghat roads. Amaging at 3rd gead pickup, cruises in 4th    and 5th gear on less trafic.

3.Tubeless tyres have come good so far, hope it may last another 2000km.

4. But the milage has come down slightly- 16-17 on Highways (is it due to my average speed is increased?)      and 11-12 in cities (more of 2ne and 3rd gear)

5. Engine noice is more over 120 Kmph, A/C is ok still.

Overall I am happy with my car

Send in your comments

Ramesh N Thotta

I bought Fiat Linea Emotion 1.3 MJD exactly a month back and last night, i completed 1,000 kms on it. My experience with this car can be described by only one word "Overwhelming". Good looks, Superior comfort, excellent fuel economy and cheapest in its segment, would be a rare combination. Fiat Linea MJD has it all. I would like to post a few lines about mt experience with the Lines MJD: Interiors: I have an Emotion, so the interiors are much better than teh active and dynamic, because it has a much smarter centre console. Setas are fairly comfirtable. Leg space is ample. I am 6'2" tall and when I am driving, a fairly large individual could easily fit behind me. begige and black interior are good. The orange back light - I am not sure.. It was not as per my taste, i would have much preferred w white or blue. Rear sun shield is a good addition. Exteriors: Impeccable. I can't find a better looking sedan in this segment. The only one which probably comes close is an SX4, but, it doesn't have diesel. I own a fox trote azure colour, which is not very common, so, it is quite common to see heads turn when i zip by. Drive quality: She feels like a cockpit. I dont think i need to say anything else. I would like to question the guys who feel teh Linea MJD is under powered, "are you teh sorts, who shift to the 4th gear as soon as the car touches 20 km/hr?" Since the time a bought her, i have been second to none in getting out of a signal. Even in teh 5th gear, when i hit teh padel, i can feel the sudden jerk. The trick here is keep teh RPM as close to 1,800 as possible. Suspension is also best in class. Only a couple of things which i was not very happy about: 1. Front ground clearence is low. When i tried to park the car in reverse on an elevated parking, i touched the base on to teh ground. 2. Quality of metal used to make teh body: I was expecting better quality metal going by what was being used in the Palios earlier. It feels very delicate and could be dented very easily.

Exterior: well ,nothin much  to say but is a real head turner,keeps people saying 'what a beauty'.nice muscular body,nice snout,very masculine sporty looking rear.Overall looks much expensive than it is.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort): lots of features fully computerised,electronically controlled ORVMs,cabin lights are too good,driver seat adjustments are good,instrument panel had lot of information displying like distance to empty,fuel effciency,trip meter,temperature(outer),reserve fuel warning(very good feature to check fuel effciency(reserve to reserve),warning alarm for any abnormalityt or fault in the car.Lot of space at the rear but headroom is less for a tall person but manageable.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox: Engine is good but not power full nad peepy but good for a family you will feel it to be suffciently powered but yes you cannot take it for racing ita a heavy built car.fuel economy is good mine is giving 15 kmpl,but people say it will increase after first service mine has done 2500 kms in one month.

Ride Quality & Handling: its excellent ,excellent excellent.

Final Words: this is the only car in india which is a complete car with proper shape,space,feature and ultimate comfort in the price given,and recently i have heard Fiat has increased the power of the LINea,very good for people who have not bought till now.Go for it.Its a value for money car with 4 year warrantty and RSA.cAR IS DESIGNED VERY AESTHTICALLY.No nuisance car ,one feels proud to be a owner of this car.

Areas of improvement: CAREFULLY LISTEN FIAT GUYS-YOU HAVE MADE AN EXCELLENT CAR-FIAT CAN DO WONDERS WITH THIS CAR BY A LITTLE EFFORT I.E BY IMPROVING A LITTLE (though lot of improvement is already being done )THE A.S.S in terms of providing a different workshop for LINEA customers or atleast a different section for linea customers,because getting serviced along with some rowdy taxi drivers and hooligans and same technicians when attend linea quality of serviCe gets poor.Recently i had a problem solved at the service centre ,i was attENded properly ( i was given special treament and was attended out of turn  being a FIAT VEHICLE OWNER). But it was over crowded and technician who did my job made lot of screw driver mark on the bumper of vehicle as he attending an old indica just before attending my vehicle.What iam trying to say FIAT  Might have to spend a little on getting a seperate workshop or atleast a section dedicated for LINEA  but in long run it will be -rewarded heavily in terms of more linea sales and better level of CUSTOMER SATISFACTION,becasue THE FIAT LINEA IS AN EXCELLENT CAR EXAMPLE OF ENGINEERING MARVEL.SO THERE IS NO REASON IT WILL NOT SELL -IT IS PICKNIG UP SLOWLY.THANKS...

I don't agree with your comments on fiat Linea. I own this car for last two years. Concorde motors (Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad) really do good servicing of vechile. My car delivery 16 km/l in city roads and 20 to 21 on high ways. Fait engines are best.Your dealer is fault . My advise would better get in touch with fiat directly. I have recommend this car to all my friends their happy with performance.

It is definitely a commendable job and I would totally disagree if anyone complains about poor after sales service. Only problem is the immediate availability of some spare parts but then you do get it in some time. Your need to visit service center itself is hardly once a year. Oil change is only once in 15000 kms. Linea is pretty smooth with great handling even on bad roads. It is such a pleasure to drive on highways and you won’t even realize the speed even at 120+. It also feels very safe to drive at such high speeds; you have ABS, air bags and electronic brake stabilization. It is quite spacious and comfortable with very good features.

Exterior Itis a real beauty, timeless design. Paint quality is top notch. Body looks strong and heavy. long chasis and silver front grill makes her gorgeous.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Interior fit and finish is very good, with great seats and powerful A/C.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Engine is dull, doesn't have good pickup, noisy. It appears that you have to push hard to make the car move in lower gears. I found it somewhat similar to the MM540 I used to own.

Ride Quality & Handling Good rear seat comfort and suspension. Steering seems to be little hard and heavy. Ground clearance is extremely low. If you plan to buy a used linea be prepared to spent extra 14000 for the gc kit.

Final Words Very good looking car not so good for inidan conditions.

Areas of improvement GC and lower gear performance, engine noise. Fuel efficiency is around 12Km/L on an average in citi driving conditions with A/C ON.

Exterior Have owned it for more than three years. Still cannot get my eyes off it.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Very comfortable, excellent air conditioning with climate control.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Great Engine goes to 140 plus effortlessly on highways. Have clocked 62000 kms and have achieved an average of 23.9 kms with a.c. on the highway.

Ride Quality & Handling Very good suspension and kisses the road on high speeds too. Power steering is a dream.

Final Words With all the features it offers, it is the best buy in its league. Can say this after owning it for more than three years. Have driven it for more than 600 kms in a day tirelessly. It is a pity people do not know much about this car, due to negative marketing by Tata Motors. I hope now with Fiat opening its own network, this area will improve.

Areas of improvement Ground Clearance and leg space between seats needs to be improved.

Exterior

 Excellent looks which actually facinated me to go for this car.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort)

 Comfort is good in front as well as back seat, Interior styling is good but needs improvement in type of plastics used and needs more better finishing.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

 Excellent performance as per my experience to drive almost 5000 kms till date. Fuel economy is good in these range of cars especially diesel engine is better. Pick up not satisfactory, but still the overall ride is satisfying. Gearbox can be better.

Ride Quality & Handling

 Ride quality excellent in this range of cars. Turning radius is a concern, which is irritating sometimes. But still overall package is good compared to price offered.

Final Words

 This car is value for money esp. diesel.

Areas of improvement  

 Exterior - Front looks can be better.

Interior - Finishing can be better. Glove box of no use. Front cup holders of no use, and front arm rest is too long, which is a discomfort sometimes while shifting gears.

Turning radius needs improvement.

Being a premium car need better positioning of this brand at the dealerships.

Exterior It Stands out & looks are always a step apart. From back it looks like a foriegn car & front design has been made looking into the aerodynamics.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) Class in detail.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox XXXXXcellent.

Ride Quality & Handling Cant describe its so perfect.

Final Words Its my 3rd car & I have never been so convinced & happy about my decision on buying a car. I had wagonR before. It was good however very bumpy drive because of its height. Also the interiors were pathetic. Moved onto Dzire petrol. Maruti to Maruti. This was an excellent car & the engine was really powersul. The after sales were really goo however the only issue was its fuel economy & petrol prices were rocket high. So negating all these drawbacks & test driven almost 10-12 cars both me & my wife were convinced that LINEA was the perfect car we were looking for. Absolutely magical. class, comfort & economy at one go.

Areas of improvement Initial p/up on multijet.

I have a fiat linea emotion 1.3 MJ Diesel and since I have bought that it has kept me very emotional. Everytime I get happy some or the other problem appears and makes me emotional again. Perhaps this was the worst decision of my life to buy such a rubbish car which is not designed for Indian roads.

In past four years I have changed the clutch 3 times,shockers every year and the AC problem is persisting for past four years. I have made many complaints to Fiat but nothing has been done so far.Last year I paid around 40K for my car service and this year all the problems sorted out by them have re-appeared. I have other cars as well but none has given me any trouble compared to FIAT.

I would advise not to buy this vehicle as it would only cause problems. There are much better cars in the same segmengt and at the same price with much better performance,cost of ownership, resale price and which have been tested for Indian road like Verna,SX4 etc.

So overall I would say that in India "FIAT" stands for "FIX IT AGAIN TOMORROW" SO DONOT BUY ITS VEHICLES.