right seeing as I've had 2 Stilo's in 2 years I thought I'd give my opinion on them.
The engine: now my first one was a JTD and to be honest probably the best in the range (the only one I haven't driven is the 1.8) yes it may sound like a tank while you sat at the lights, but once you get going the turbo is pretty loud compared to other turbo diesels.
once remapped the thing flies! it's very strong, turbo kicks in quite early in the rpm and only runs out of puff near the redline, obviously good MPG as well.
the 1.2 and 1.4 personally I couldn't live with in that size of a car, yes it sounds good and that's what FIAT engines are supposed to be small and loud, but it's out of place in the Stilo.
the 1.6 I found suited the Stilo, perfect size.
now the 2.4 is a beast waiting to be unleashed, the sound is amazing, power could be alot better than it is but I think it's enough for public roads.
Interior: now I though this was the most dissapointing part of the Stilo, if you have the phase 1 Stilo and not an Abarth your surrounded by black and misery, it's just so dull. There are plenty of buttons to play about with and most of them are easily accesible (except for ASR and CITY button).
If you have a phase 2 or Abarth with connect nav then the interior is improved with silver bits of the dash here there and everywhere
The seats are comfortable and quite supportive, the materials feel of decent quality (except for the door panels and handles)
Handling: now I found the steering to be ok but could be better, but this is the thing alot of magazines have said about the newer FIATs with the electric power steering.
suspension seems to hide the bumps quite well (if they haven't snapped) but something could be done with the anti-roll bars because the bodyroll from this thing is stupid.
Handling is helped from the quite wide tyres as well, from 195-215 width.
overall I think the Stilo IS a very good car for the price you pay, tons of equipment, good looking car but the only thing that let it down are the reputation and SOME of the dealers.
I have probably missed somethings off but oh well
The engine: now my first one was a JTD and to be honest probably the best in the range (the only one I haven't driven is the 1.8) yes it may sound like a tank while you sat at the lights, but once you get going the turbo is pretty loud compared to other turbo diesels.
once remapped the thing flies! it's very strong, turbo kicks in quite early in the rpm and only runs out of puff near the redline, obviously good MPG as well.
the 1.2 and 1.4 personally I couldn't live with in that size of a car, yes it sounds good and that's what FIAT engines are supposed to be small and loud, but it's out of place in the Stilo.
the 1.6 I found suited the Stilo, perfect size.
now the 2.4 is a beast waiting to be unleashed, the sound is amazing, power could be alot better than it is but I think it's enough for public roads.
Interior: now I though this was the most dissapointing part of the Stilo, if you have the phase 1 Stilo and not an Abarth your surrounded by black and misery, it's just so dull. There are plenty of buttons to play about with and most of them are easily accesible (except for ASR and CITY button).
If you have a phase 2 or Abarth with connect nav then the interior is improved with silver bits of the dash here there and everywhere
The seats are comfortable and quite supportive, the materials feel of decent quality (except for the door panels and handles)
Handling: now I found the steering to be ok but could be better, but this is the thing alot of magazines have said about the newer FIATs with the electric power steering.
suspension seems to hide the bumps quite well (if they haven't snapped) but something could be done with the anti-roll bars because the bodyroll from this thing is stupid.
Handling is helped from the quite wide tyres as well, from 195-215 width.
overall I think the Stilo IS a very good car for the price you pay, tons of equipment, good looking car but the only thing that let it down are the reputation and SOME of the dealers.
I have probably missed somethings off but oh well