Fiat Palio Stile [2007-2011] User Reviews

I have completed 17,000KM. Including three long drives of 600 KM each.

This is a no problem vehicle.

Relief from frequent gear change.

Third gear is really good. On this gear you can drive in slow moving traffic below 10 km/h speed and also can maintain speed of  60 km/h with the same gear.

Car is spacious inside. Seats are broad. A/C is too good.

I have done with Second servicing. Mileage

is 19+ in city (A/C usage 20% in travel). I have checked it so many times. :)

Suspensions are good, get a feel of Volvo bus travel.

I met with a small accident, which proved it sturdiness. No damage at all :)

Some drawbacks I would like to mention are

Clutch is little heavy. Turning radius is big. Compressor fan is little noisy.

Hi! I drove this car recently. Frankly I drove this diesel just after driving an Innova. I must say, I was taken aback by the response of this engine. I kept on saying to the sales guy with me during the test drive "What an engine!". After my analysis of engine, I started to think about other things (though it was difficult to think, because, the engine time and again kept on giving you a feeling, are you actually drving a diesel car???). The interiors are same old and dated. The car is specious and it comes with certain additional feature in a like to like model incomparison with Swift. Such as, it has de-fogger and rear wiper and washer! I must say, this is a good feature, as you really require them (at least the rear wiper and washer) during monsoons! In my opionion it's must! The ride and handling of the car is superb as always it has been for FIAT. The seats are fresh and nice, but the dash board is nothing great! The car has a superb a/c which cools in no time! I drove at 130kmph with no vibration of this greatly built hatch on the highway. The car responds superbly in 1st, 3rd and 5th gear! The gear shift could have been better. It accelerates superbly! It will make all the other lightly built petrol hathes to shame for sure! The external look is also twicked with fresh grille and new FIAT logo. The multijet logo also looks damn good at the back! There must have been a allow wheel with ABS option. And are we not missing the trademark rear spoiler in the Palio? Overall, its about Rs. 20,000 cheaper (for the similar model of Swift), better built, great ride and handling but definitely and shade lower in interiors when you compare this with swift (both share the same engine which is a FIAT engine and won the prestigious "Engine of the year" award in 2005 in Europe.)

My verdict, it's a MUST EAVLUATE hatch even for Petrol car buyers and great buy with its cost and fuel efficiency. Well, Maruti still scores with its service network, but Tatas know about that for sure!

I have took a FIAT Stile Multijet SDX from prerana motors, Bangalore on June 25th 2008 I was very happy that I am a proud owner of FIAT car, I was impressed with its new looks, interiors, space in the car and the Rock solid body all went smoothly till I have met with an accident on 17th October near Ananthapur, Andhra Pradesh while I was heading towards Hyderabad. As the vehicle was not in a condition to drive I approached TATA Motors dealer in Ananthapur. They refused to take the vehicle because they do not have expertise in handling FIAT motors. TATA even denied taking the responsibility to shift the vehicle where they have expertise.

During the time of purchase of vehicle it has been intimated to me that I can take my FIAT vehicle to any TATA motors dealer for servicing or for any type of issues with the car but in reality it is not true. It is shocking to hear that only in metros FIAT car is serviced or repaired.

I have requested the local dealer and one of its representatives has obliged my request and agreed to keep the car till Prerana collects it for shifting the vehicle to its service center in Bangalore and intimated me that it will take 15 days for them to repair the vehicle because of lack of parts for which I have agreed

I was following up with prerana regularly and got an update after 25 days that they are yet to receive the parts as such the Vehicle is left unattended. I was surprised to hear that still my car was not touched for repairing and it was left unattended. The reason being the Lack of parts because of SAP upgradation at FIAT and Prerana motors bluntly asked me to contact TATA as they are helpless here.

On 11th November I spoke to one senior Executive of TATA Motors and updated him about the issue he said that he will duly look into it and help me in getting my vehicle at the earliest, but the earliest is yet to come.

On 12th of November I have got a call from TATA motors and updated me that they have dispatched the parts to Prerana. He has also updated that one part was not available, but I need not worry about it as they were locally procuring it from another dealer and Prerana should take another 4 days for repairing the vehicle. Finally as per TATA representative I will receive the car not later than 20th of November and suggested me to contact Prerana Motors further.

I waited patiently and as there were no updates either from Prerana or TATA motors, I tried reaching Prerana relationship manager and body shop manager but it vain. Many times they do not answer the call or do not return the calls. This is a pathetic customer service from Prerana Motors. After waiting for few more days, I have got an update that they have started repairing my vehicle. To my surprise, again prerana has updated me later that they have received most of the parts but for 2 parts because of which they have not started working on my car, as TATA is not sending the parts.

I was frustrated with this kind of treatment and have sent an email to TATA rep on 24th November expressing my frustration and dissatisfaction CCing TATA top management. Today is December 2nd and I haven’t got any reply / Acknowledgement to my email.

TATA and its dealers provided to me false information by stating that I can take to any TATA motors authorized showroom which was a white lie or a marketing prank which they have played.  If the TATA motors ananthapur dealer do not have the expertise I felt that TATA should own the responsibility to deliver the vehicle to the service center where they have Expertise.

During my conversation I have heard various reasons for not repairing my car were  from TATA and Prerana are SAP Upgradation at FIAT, System Integration between FIAT and TATA, No Stock of Parts at TATA, FIAT not sending the parts,  delay was because of Diwali festival and prerana has also mentioned that they have 2 other cars which are waiting for over a month and mine is 3rd in line.

Who cares if FIAT is upgrading to SAP or TATA and FIAT system integration if they are customer focused company they will not make me to wait till their activity is completed.

I am not sure what kind of stock management they do at Prerana / TATA / FIAT wherehouses. Till today neither prerana nor TATA-FIAT has shown any concern or responsibility towards my car. I had to pitch in and yell at both the parties for sending the parts and to repair my car, but in vain nothing happened till today. It is purely a step motherly treatment towards FIAT cars by TATA and its dealers. My car is left unattended as an orphaned car.

Well I have owned this car for more than three months now and the only word which I have is WOW. The engine was noisier till first service but post that it has improved , become faster and to tell you the fact this car handles the best on high speeds and also takes up every pothole and speed breaker with a smile. The AC is chiller to the core and best part everyone was complaining of the service in that if any FIAT ensures they are taken care off . The customer care of tata has improved and is taking every concern very seriously. Looking at the commitment now one just has to buy the car. What more can one ask the car has a 150000 km warranty. I really was looking to buy the swift Diesel cause I was driving one of my friends but just because of the waiting shifted to palio any you bet , now I dont regret it. The car has more space, handles better in any road conditions and the best part the lag is not there and it definitely is fast and smooth. FIAT has made this a bit more refined than Swift. Now the car has done 7500 KMs two services. Have driven it onthe worst and the best of roads, at times I felt bad on what kinda roads I am taking my new car on but even te allignment has not gone bad. This car is really sturdy and handles much better than any other on indian roads. Would advise test drive it before you decide on any.

7 Dec 2010 Update:- Have now completed a little over 50000 KMS. Car still runs as good as new. The clutch is the same heavy, economy has improved ,has given economy of 24 kmpl in recent shimla trip. Have faced no service or repair issues infact now have a lot of service options. The car is good and sturdy , only problem is with airconditioning gas leak and water condensing in the cabin that too this summer but has been sorted.  Parts Requirement :- None ( only Accidental). Service has been normal. Service cost nominal 2500-3500 varies as oil filter is replaced only 15000 kms. 

Problems:- quite heavy Clutch , Goodyear stock tyres wore very early(24000KM). Got Bridgestone 4 Tyres, no abnormal wear. AC Gas leak this summer,

Accidents:- No Major. A santro rammed at very high speed from back. The santro was totally damaged, palio's bumper had to be replaced. Some junkies damaged Windshield ( Theft Attempt). Had to be replaced.

I had test driven both cars Swift VDI and Palio SDX

Swift VDI:

Pros:

• Modern Instrumentation
• Silent Engine

Cons:

• Door Ratling Sounds
• High seating making the ride unconfortable as if can feel the body wobbling
• Low back visibility
• No back wiper or Defogger makes life miserable during rains and misty winters (Definetely needs a camera installed on the bumper)

Palio SDX:

Pros:

• Low seating makes the driving confortable and no body wobbling
• Handles the worst roads very well.
• Good rear view with back wiper and defogger.
• Good build quality with doors closing with thud sound.

Cons:

• Engine Noisy compared to Swift
• No seat bealt reminder
• Outdated interiors
• Outdate instrumentation

Completed 4,200 Kms in 4 months and mileage is around 14 KM/ litre in hyderabad heavy traffic. I opted for the car for its

• Engine from the inventor of multijet technology
•  good road handling capabilities and solid build quality.

One good part of this vehicle (which I had never felt on any other vehicle,Try this):

When you stop at a traffic signal or a traffice jam on climbing (hilly road), while resuming again

1. continue your foot on the brake
2. in first gear
3. start releasing clutch slowly until you start feeling the engine slightly jerky or feeling to move forward.
4. then release brake completely and you will notice that you car haven't move an inch backward
5. then accelerate normally to move farward without slipping back.

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) The interiors are very badly screwed together. A new palio rattles more than even a swift which has clocked 40000Kms. Shame b cos despite being a fiat  its poorly built.

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox Engines good.Gearbox rubbery.The fan makes a noise that can be really disturbing. The car sounds like a truck when the fan is running.The aircon's performance is very inconsistent.

Ride Quality & Handling Its the cars party piece.Exceptional for a small car.

Final Words Its a flogged horse.Too outdated and crude for present day India. Would not recommend it to anybody The reliability is appalling. The car has done just 25000Kms and has broken down 6 times.1)@ 1000Kms Clutch failed-assembly had to be replaced  2) Ignition key failed-barrel had to be changed 3) Ignition key failed again- Barrel had to be changed  4)Ignition key again failed-the ring had to be changed 5) Ignition key failed-the entire assembly including the key had to be changed 6) water pump failed- had to be replaced

Areas of improvement Fiat needs to up its quality and service.I guess the trouble is because they have tied up with Tata.imagine guys who've worked on trucks working on your Fiat.it just doesn make sense,An exclusive service centre must be established for Fiat.