The Fiat Fullback is the chic Italian brand’s first foray into the hefty pick-up truck market and it attempts to gel the utilitarian nature of a workhorse with the renowned style of a Fiat.
And if you think it looks familiar, then you’re not mistaken, it is actually based heavily on the well-established Mitsubishi L200 model, with a few styling and pricing quirks being the only divide between the two models.
Fiat has a plan to differentiate itself from its Japanese counterpart though. Coming in a large chunk more expensive – due to its long list of standard equipment and double cab body style - Fiat is going down the value for money route with its new Fullback. Fiat’s also looking to capitalise on the rising popularity of company car drivers, who are migrating from high-tax saloons to high-spec pickups to take advantage of their company car nametags.
But the L200 is renowned for its durability. Does a pickup truck with a Fiat badge lose any of that?
Performance 3.5/5
Under the bonnet of the Fullback is the same 2.4-litre diesel featured in the L200 and it’s available with two power outputs: 148bhp and 178bhp.
The meatier 178bhp is the pick of the two as it boasts extra torque, 430Nm in fact, and added braked towing capacity of up to 3.1 tonnes.
The 2.4-litre diesel pulls extremely well at both low and high speeds though, be it lugging itself over muddy verges in low gears or going on to full puff in sixth gear when overtaking on the motorway. And the six-speed manual gearbox offered is sharp enough, even with its long throw.
Ride and Handling 4/5
Similar to the L200, the Fullback does feel like a brawny hunk of metal when navigating your average lumpy country lane or town centre – it does weigh almost two tonnes and is over five metres long, after all. It doesn’t simulate a luxury saloon feel as well as the Volkswagen Amarok or the Nissan Navara though.
Get up to speed on a B-road and the Fullback bounces over undulations and never really settles - that is until you add some weight to the load bed. And that’s the trick with the Fullback. Much like long wheelbase vans, the Fullback’s suspension is designed to manage heavy loads and therefore has much more give than your average car. In other words, the more you load it up, the more likely it is to feel stable on the road. Just don’t go flinging it round any bends.
Just like the L200, the Fullback is an extremely capable off-roader, with the usual 2WD and 4WD driving modes available and – if you go for the LX model – a low-ratio 4WD mode that locks the centre differential for ultimate traction. With its competent 4WD system and 205mm of ground clearance, you’ll have a hard time trying to make the Fullback come undone, be it on snow, sand or mountainous terrain.
Interior and Equipment 4/5
The materials in the cabin of the Fullback are rather heard-wearing, with cheap plastics aplenty. Great if you’re after a utilitarian mud-plugger, not so great if you’re after a commercial vehicle that emulates a saloon.
Even with its slightly van-like interior though, there is plenty of kit on offer in the Fullback. In fact, unlike its L200 cousin, the entry-level Fullback comes generously equipped with DAB radio, Bluetooth, cruise control and hill hold assist as standard – as well as a double cab body style.
And thanks to that double cab set-up, the Fullback has plenty of space for up to three rear passengers. There’s loads of head room and leg room available, although passenger’s knees can sit quite high due to the lowered position of the rear seats.
The load bed in the Fullback offers up to 1,900 litres of storage space, which translates to a 1.4 metre square loading platform in the centre. The lockable lid of the load bed is incredibly useful for hiding away tools and valuables as well.
Costs 4/5
With the manual gearbox fitted, the 2.4-litre diesel engine delivers a real-world average of around 40mpg – which is true to Fiat’s claimed figures and is very impressive for a vehicle of its size. CO2 is quoted at 186g/km, which carries a 37 per cent BIK taxation rate.
As the Fullback boasts greater standard equipment, it is a large chunk more expensive than its Mitsubishi L200 rival, starting at around £26,000. Those on a budget and not in need of luxuries like a double cab will want to look at the L200 more closely. However, if you spec up an equivalent L200, which is the Titan model, the Fullback is only marginally more expensive.
Verdict 4/5
It can handle itself off-road, it’s hard wearing and there’s plenty of practicality to be had. All-in-all, it’s a solid pick-up truck. It may not be as refined as a VW Amarok, but that’s reflected in its price.
Many will go for the safe option of the L200, which is understandable. But the Fullback is definitely worth a punt if you want to stand out from others on the building site.
