• Wide car, wide interior
• But it’s not space-efficient
• Robust, hardwearing feel

How much space is there?

The Tipo is roomy up front with a lot of space around the driver and passenger, and a wide rear bench that comfortably fits two adults or three children. Access is good, too, though the Tipo Cross has the edge because the ride height brings the driver’s seat up to a level most people don’t have to drop down, or climb up to. However, you’ll find more rear seat space in a Focus, Leon or Octavia.

There are generous door bins, and a roomy central box and glovebox storage – plus a couple of cupholders, but the bulbous dashboard and girthy A-pillars make the car feel less airy than rivals. It looks far more substantial than alternatives from Skoda or Dacia, but at the same time feels ‘bulky’ rather than ‘overengineered’. Still – it’s a sensible design, and it meets the needs of a variety of countries rather than being tailored to just European or British tastes.

Boot space and storage

For the price, you won’t find many cars that offer the boot space of the Tipo. It’s not class-leading for the size of the car thanks to the Octavia, but for the entry-level price? That’s a different matter – you get a lot of car for your money here. There’s not much fancy going on, but all the basics are covered – a 440-litre boot with a relatively high lip and a deep well, meaning your shopping won’t tumble out, 60:40 split folding rear seats, and an electric boot release on the key.

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Fiat don’t give a volume for the boot space with seats folded, but based on the extra room liberated in the estate it should be around 1,300 litres, albeit with a sloped section for the seat backs; there’s no false floor/hidden space. Instead, under the boot floor is a proper spare wheel and tool kit, and a dense foam organiser tray which will happily secure things such as reflective jackets or disposable gloves.

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Unlike some budget models, the Tipo’s loading lip is trimmed with robust plastic, and the overall boot height and width is practical, with a large opening. What it lacks in clever touches, it makes up for by just being straightforward.

Is it easy to park?

As a budget model the Tipo doesn’t have all the latest parking gadgets, but it’s got reversing sensors, good-sized mirrors and is easy to place on the road. Choose the Tipo Cross and you get a reversing camera with guide lines, also included on the Tipo Life specification, and front parking sensors as well.

Safety

• Tipo’s far from class-leading
• Tested in 2016, would not fare well now
• Plenty of airbags, strong body

A low Euro NCAP score does not necessarily reflect an unsafe car, but in the case of the Tipo it does reveal a below-average performance. Tested in 2016 – before standards were upgraded to the current levels – the Tipo achieved three stars partly as the safety tech was optional at the time.

Read more: Euro NCAP – safe cars, zero stars

With the safety pack, it achieved four stars, and on the current Tipo range, that’s standard – with active lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and autonomous emergency braking all present and effective, and the only option being the addition of blind-spot monitoring on the Tipo Cross.

Weaker areas include protection for older children in booster seats, and chest protection for adults despite the presence of six airbags. Isofix points are provided in the outer rear seats, and it’s an easy car to put children in thanks to the high seats and wide-opening doors.

While the Tipo’s performance is fair, if safety is your priority you will want to look to newer designs of car where a more recent three- or four-star result indicates much better protection and tech and tougher testing standards.

Watch the Fiat Tipo hatchback Euro NCAP crash test