Fiat Qubo
The unmistakeable Fiat Qubo is a compact MPV with a remarkable amount of space
Though the Fiat Qubo is essentially the passenger version of the Fiat Fiorino van, the superb styling gives it remarkable charm. The man responsible for the design of the Fiorino and the Qubo is none other than Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari’s Director of Design since 2010, a man responsible for designing cars like the Ferrari LaFerrari, Portofino and F12 berlinetta.
The benefits of such a great designer penning a car become clear over time, the Qubo is over 10-years old heading into 2019 but still looks relatively fresh. Admittedly, the interior hasn’t stood up as well to the test of time, but it has been updated through the years and retains a tough, strong build.
Under the bonnet of the Qubo there will be either petrol or diesel depending on your preference. The petrol, a 1.4-litre producing 75bhp but that doesn’t offer much in the way of performance, and a 1.3-litre ‘Multijet’ diesel with around 79bhp and a theoretical 70mpg+ on a combined cycle. Performance also isn’t spectacular in the diesel, but this isn’t a machine built with that in mind. This is a car built for space and practicality.
Though small in stature the Qubo is remarkably spacious, with 5 seats and high levels of leg and head room for the driver and passengers and a boot space of 330-litres with the seats up, rising to a gigantic 2,500kg with seats folded down. All Qubo models get a radio/MP3 player, USB input, electric front windows, airbags, and ESP. In top-spec ‘Trekking’ models get air conditioning, cruise control, a leather steering wheel and gear knob and the 5-inch touchscreen radio and MP3 player including Bluetooth, USB and AUX input.
With the Qubo, space and practicality comes before everything else and the car represents enormous value for the amount of loading potential that it has. It’s famous designer means it is also an opportunity to own a Manzoni-designed car without paying an enormous price tag, and in that sense, it’s a bit unusual.