I loved mine, all the three back seats lift out completely, very easily, leaving you with a massive load space. We had it when we had 4 kids, annoyingly I got randy one night and we had a 5th and ran out of seats.
What replaced it then, my choice would have been a Citroen CX or Peugeot 504 familiale. In fact we had two CXs with just one kid and a dog. (serially, not both at once). The trouble was, I was always designated driver because I had the car that all my drinking friends could go out in.
The revamped Multipla turned eccentricity into invisibility. The original ( i mean this one not the rear engined one) was brilliant, it's people who are fickle. The front vent is a face if you look carefully.
@@caw25sha Funny! The new U.S. Postal Service vans (I think they're built by Grumman) have an odd resemblance to a duck head, rather like this Multipla.
I'm on the side of "Genius" and the distinctive styling is fab. I'd always go for the diesel option and i may have to fight with kippers you for one. Then again, I can't really justify another car (A bike, on the other hand...)
Some 10 years ago, a friend of mine needed a practical car because his wife is wheelchair-bound. And it needed to take him to work reliably. As he has really zero interest nor knowledge of cars, I suggested him to look for the van version of a Fiat Multipla JTD (no back seats and rear windows covered). He found one with a colour like in this video and it brought him many pleasant miles. The three seats abreast were more wide and comfortable than those in my car, a Matra Murena. Surely the car was mocked by others but criticism was countered immediately by its practicality and it surely drove better than a van. Unfortunately the car was killed in quite a spectacular crash on the motorway by a speeding drunk driver who caused such a carnage it was in the news. We couldn't find a suitable successor and finally settled for a Dacia Logan MCV, which is an equally underrated car.
There was a wheelchair accessible Multipla car conversion, a friend has recently bought a used one. Fold down rear ramp that will support a heavy electric wheelchair. The floor is altered to allow the wheelchair to go right through to the front passenger side and be lashed down. I think it leaves it as a 4 seat, plus the front wheelchair space as the middle front seat is lost. Not sure if the middle rear seat is retained or lost, but the outer rear seats are made to fold sideways to allow the wheelchair access to the front.
.. Jesus Christ is the only hope in this world no other gods will lead you to heaven There is no security or hope with out Jesus Christ in this world come and repent of all sins today Today is the day of salvation come to the loving savior Today repent and do not go to hell Come to Jesus Christ today Jesus Christ is only way to heaven Repent and follow him today seek his heart Jesus Christ can fill the emptiness he can fill the void Heaven and hell is real cone to the loving savior today Today is the day of salvation tomorrow might be to late come to the loving savior today Holy Spirit Can give you peace guidance and purpose and the Lord will John 3:16-21 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. Mark 1.15 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Hebrews 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Jesus
I've often thought that if Fiat spent half as much attention to detail on actually putting the cars together as they do on their industrial design their cars would be truly Godly.
@@chrishart8548 To be fair there, the Dacia Sandero I've had for three years (which is basically a grab bag of Renault components) has been almost entirely reliable, touch wood, and it's certainly better built than the Fiat Panda I owned before it.
@@d2factotum those dacia cars seem to be doing OK but they need to be. People would love to hate on them if they turn out crap. Must be the tried and tested Renault/Nissan parts.
@@d2factotum I had a had a Panda 2010 for 7 years since new, to be fair the interior build quality was while looking cheap was supurb. Nothing snapped or broke off but there were a few too many silly electrical issues which I ended up having to fix myself. I think towards the engine the gear linkage was failing too, although fours later I spotted the car on the road and according to the MOT history it is still going strong. I am not sure if anybody fixed the linkage or it was just me being fussy :D
A great piece of design. Fiat were really on a roll looks-wise at the time; the Bravo and Brava were real lookers too and different to anything else. My brother had a 1.6 petrol Bravo in a similar dark blue. It was a cracking car. Car design seems to go in phases between safe and brave and Fiat had definitely swallowed some brave pills in the nineties. I do wonder if these cars encouraged Ford to be bold with its Mk1 Focus? Another great piece of design in my book and remains a favourite among those I’ve owned. I sometimes toy with the idea of owning another.
I too had a the JTD, then (after a Picasso) the Zafira diesel. It was a car with a particularly badly designed interior and had the most uncomfortable car seat I've ever sat on. It felt more grown-up than either the Picasso or Multipla and had better suspension, but really was dire as an MPV.
I used to drive brand spanking new Fiat's off the ship at Portbury Docks. Always admired the innovative design of the Multipla. A fine mechanised beast indeed Sire!
I want one! I can’t believe these have been overlooked for so long. Back in 2000 I was working for a firm of accountants and one of the senior partners bought one of these for his wife, of course we laughed and mocked at the time but I recall him telling us how unique it was.. anyway at the time they were all new, then I went off to Asia to work for 16 years and on my return I found myself looking for a good one of these and there were none… I’ve been half heartedly looking now for almost 5 years and I’ve yet to see a minter for sale in RHD.
Hi before i list my multipla i liked your message,it's time to say goodbye to my multipla mechanically it's very good has its faults I've had it over 10 years and it's got full mot and a full tank of fuel and it's the mark 1 message me if your interested 😎
Doug DeMuro reviewed one a while back and couldn't stop laughing at how strange it was. Although I think he was genuinely impressed with it when it was one the road!
Multipla has more sense nowadays than before: if Stellantis decide to relaunch this amazing model in an electrical version it will succeed!😊...Maybe in a suv new design!
No, not an SUV, those are the opposite of a Multipla: huge on the outside, claustrophobic on the inside. All the Multipla needs are sleek colour coded bumpers, braver colours (the bravest colour the Multipla ever came in was a darkish red, it needs the colour range of the first Renault Twingo), projector headlights (same shape!), and better interior plastics to bring it right back to market with a modern (hybrid) drivetrain.
@@kaitlyn__L Its like the mk 1Twingos big bro and yes its much more ahead of 80% of what we have now and so good for repowering. As for the hand brake a dash mounted pull and twist or squeeze would have been a spot on feature.😎 Personally ive never been a big fan of sun roofs 🤔..leaks and tend you tend to get your head and neck burnt. 😥
@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 oh crap I didn’t even think about recharging the chair in the car! That’s definitely another benefit for a big day out. And yeah a central handbrake (or a modem electric handbrake) would be a must. Sunroofs are always divisive! My father felt the same as you so I loved travelling in friends’ cars when they did have sunroofs haha.
Y E S you need to buy one, would love to see a V6 or i5 conversion, possibly even a turbo 😁 . I miss the hanging bootstrap closer on the hatch of my Octavia 4*4. Is the Xedos in the video not worthy of a Hubnut mention, loved the 6 & 9 when new.
YES, I enjoyed the Multipla review, but I too was eyeing that Xedos with some appreciation! Can't remember the last time I saw a real one with my own eyes...
Really good review, thank you. Even though I was never in need of a multi-multi seater vehicle, I've always liked the looks of the original Multipla. Dash and instrument area too.
I owned one from 2001 until 2010. My children adored it, and there was usually some discussion about who would ride in the front middle. You did miss that the rear seats could be removed easily after pulling one tag, making the Multipla into a very commodious van. The upper front lights were for main beam only. Mine was a diesel, handled well, and could easily manage a family trip to somewhere deep in France. It was very frugal. I actually liked its looks. Anyhow, for those who don’t, you cannot see the outside when you’re on the inside! I definitely think there ought to be a Hubnutipla on your fleet.
My brother in law had the bug eye and the later facelifted version, both turbo diesels. I borrowed his bug eye one for a family holiday in Suffolk. Brilliant family car. You get used to the width and with that central seat folded it makes a great space for drinks and sandwiches etc.Mr Furious Driving would love it. Both my brother in laws Multiplas did thousands of miles with no problem and he loved them. I have driven a FRV and that great too. Might be a better bet for you.
Both people I know that had these absolutely raved about them (and still do). Practical, handy and surprisingly tough family workhorses. They were both diesels.
Great review as usual. The 5 cylinder is a possibility as I saw one in Italy a few years ago with a turbo 5 banger installed. Unfortunately I couldn't get to speak to the chap that built it.
Oooh the late 90's!! Thank you for doing this... I remember in the late 90's there seemed to be great excitment and getting ready for the new millenium there also seemed to be an economic boom... I also recall your video of the Fiat Bravo in NZ! I do remember those and liked them because they were different, but still yarned for the Opel Vectra wagon with the black roof rack rails... Oh well... I also recall you saying how car design really peaked in the late 90's/early 2000's and it does reflect how times have changed since.... Sign.........Let's hope for better times though!
An ex partner of mine used to have one of these with the diesel engine which I drove from time to time and I must say it was a really nice car to drive. Enjoyable review Ian.
When these launched I was firmly in the "what on earth is that, the front looks weird" camp, but.... It's very interesting now, especially that interior which is so bright and I really like all that colour including in the dash and rear parcel shelf. All those curves inside are so late 90s which is definitely a good thing (as a late 90s car owner myself). I expect a lot of family fun could be had in that car.
I've always loved the design. It's a nineties interpretation of the old horse carriage. What the first cars were: horse carriage with an engine. These old cars usually had en extra set of headlights. And the roofline of the Multipla reminds me of these old softtops that the oldest cars had. The design is absolutely brilliant.
A harsh quote from the Sunday Times, "The tragedy of the Multipla is that its Elephant Man esque exterior enclosed a genuinely clever and spacious interior, and it wasn’t bad to drive, either. It’s a shame, then, that you’d rather walk than be seen in it." The revamped version reminds me of a giant Panda !
I always loved these! Typically, I love one-box-MPVs like the Espace I - IV and similar, with their high-speed-train-look, but this is just so charming and quirky, I just have to adore it. I'd say any modern premium SUV is by far more ugly than this. It is playful in the same was as the original Renault Twingo - you have to be a pretty boring person not to like it. I support your idea to look in the classifieds to the fullest! Do it - do it - do it! :D
Amazing bit of engineering, practical, spacious, reliable, frugal, comfortable....you name it. But boy was it ugly! My uncle had three JTDs in a row. Still misses them these days.
Ian if you like the 1.6 version you absolutely must try a diesel version. The diesel version is so much better and if I'm honest in 25 years of driving and having a wide array of cars the engine in the diesel Multipla is one of the best engines iv ever had in a vehicle. My friend used his as a taxi and managed to rack up 326000 miles in his on the same engine and gearbox it was made with having only 1 clutch replacement and servicing the vehicle very very regularly. And it is still on the road being used now by his wife as its the perfect car for their grandchildren. I wouldn't have a petrol version Ian but I can tell you the diesel is a very good car...🙂👍👍👍
I always liked the crazy looks of the Multipla.. To me the revised version just spolt it. However I think that about all cars, the first version of the shape always looks better than a revised version after 20 years or so.
I like the Multiple when it first came out, it broke the mould of 'roach' shaped cars. Like you Ian, I enjoy unusual cars - they're so much more interesting.
I have always liked the Multipla, very nearly bought a 1.6 but didn't. Can't find any now. At least the handbrake is tucked back by the seat, I had a Citroen Dispatch and kicked it out getting out on a hill, which didn't end well.
I used to have a brava (yes the 5 door one with the funky lights) and it was fantastic to drive. Always wondered what one of these would be like as it was basically a brava with a stovepipe hat.
I have 2010 (dull-looking) Multipla II with 1.9 JTD, bought secondhand with 150k km on clock. Brilliant. When I was looking for one, the dealer said to avoid other engine option (“Bi-Power”, gas/petrol) if we’re on hills (Italian hills). JTD indeed is a good motor. Our local mechanic said “this IS a car FIAT should be proud to have made”. I agree. On my LHD car, there’s no problem with the position of handbrake lever.
A fair review there Mr Hubnut. The M5/Oldbury took you past the CarSosage workshop, where Mr Fuzz also has a Multipla 🤗 (Coulda had a drive in the only UK registered 1.2 SL 5 door Arna while in the area, another time eh?)
'You can't see the outside when you're onboard' so only others have to suffer the hideousness of it 😂 Unfortunately when you're inside you do have to look at that completely awful dashboard 😂
What a delightful vehicle that we never got in the States! The "quirky/unique/practicality" was a big reason why I chose a Honda Element as a new car/SUV in 2003 (when they were new). Very handy for loading things (they were very popular w/ dog-groomers/dog-owners), but only four seats. Similar gear lever placement, but like the Multipla, it revved out to 3800 RPM at 75 MPH; I wished it had a 6th gear.
We ran a 2001 JTD ELX for 11 years and 80000 miles. We did everything with it including a house move, towing a four berth caravan to Fort William (from the West Midlands) and many other things. Almost faultlessly reliable the whole way apart from a freak failure which meant I had to change the gearbox and, despite many media reports to the contrary, the engine never consumed a drop of oil between changes. Brilliant car.
It's hard to imagine a more 'Marmite' vehicle - i.e a car that you either love or loathe. I happy to find myself in the 'love' camp. Unfortunately for Fiat almost everyone brought a Zafira instead and presumably chose not to think what might happen to their kids in the event of a rear end shunt ...
Great vid as usual. Have always loved these, but then I was 12 when they came out and I'm well aware of my rose-tinted fondness for 90s fluid design compared to today's offerings. Cameos for Xedos and a yellow 156 (!) only makes this even more re-watchable
Multipla is easier to park than a Ducato, but van-spec mirrors and knowing how to reverse into parking bays definitely make life easier. I drive a Peugeot Boxer L3 = 6m long, which is about 1.3 standard bay lengths.
I worked for a Fiat dealership in my 20s and first thing I thought was how much fun it would be to drop a 2.0 20V turbo from a Fiat Coupe into a Multipla. They even did a body kit for them in the accessory catalogue. Such a misunderstood car. The width meant it went round corners like a go-cart
I think it was 2001 when I was in Milan when my friend was there as an exchange student. We got into an Italian taxi Multipla and a Punto cut our driver off in a roundabout. Our driver opened the window and started yelling "VAFFANCULO!" at the Punto and overtook it not so passive aggressively. I looked at Punto driver and she must've been an 80 year old woman. I'll never forget my first Multipla ride.
It turns out Doug DeMuro loves the Multipla and he wants to import them when it gets to 25 years old (because to import a car to USA it needs to be 25 years old)
Always been a fan of these! Few (if any) small MPV's are memorable or distinctive - have to respect Fiat for cladding ingenious packaging in such a bold design - "ugly" is unfortunately most people's synonym for "different" 😣
That blue colour really complements the design of the Multipla, dare I say it makes it look quite nice, I teased the wife about getting a Multipla for my next car awhile ago but she didn't like the thought of that. shame that they are becoming harder to find, at the time of writing this I could only find one non facelift Multipla on ebay.
Loved my Hippo, Most comfortable people carrier I ever had. Shame they didn’t take the interior to a newer model. Only gripe was that windows didn’t go all the way down into the doors
Brilliant car. Loads of space inside, superb visibility, loved the dash and beat this. Took ours for a few laps round Donington race circuit after Touring Cars. Handled pretty well for an MPV.
I never understood the controversy around these. It always struck me as an intelligent and genuinely innovative design. A mate had one at the time to ferry him, his missus and three young kids around, and it was a faultless family car. Mind you, I did love that opposition football fans in Italy took to singing “you’re as ugly as a Multipla” at Juventus supporters.
I had a diesel one - bought with over 200,000 miles and sold when it had done 276,000 miles! It had been chipped up to about 150bhp too (if you go higher the clutch becomes an issue). There were loads of quirks (like the door handles that stick up so you have to slap them down or the doors won't shut), but it's an astoundingly practical car. Some lunatics in Poland put the 20VT engine from a FIAT Coupe into one - that looked spectacular.
When these came out and I first saw one on the motorway heading to work, I was so distracted by its differences to anything I had seen before, that I wasn't paying enough attention to where I was going and nearly clipped a median barrier. A first for me.... I could not figure out who made them because I was distracted by its......er......unique.... ...front end styling. Words like "aaaaarrrggghhhh!" and "aaaaarrrggghhhh!" again, along with phrases along the lines of "what were they thinking?" and "they really swatted it with the ugly stick, didn't they?", interspersed with many Anglo-Saxon epithets used as adjectives, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions and exclamations were used. To say the reasons behind the styling were lost on me was an understatement! However, time has been good to the Multipla. We have had many other "unique" designs since then and so its initially "way out there" looks seem to have been tamed somewhat. I must admit that the outside view of the vehicle put me off so much that I never dared look inside, let alone drive one in case someone thought I light actually LIKE it. Your video, Ian, has opened my eyes and shown me what I was missing out on. It looks to be a rather well thought out and practical vehicle (handbrake excepted). For instance, I never knew that you could get to ALL of the engine under its bonnet! I always thought it would be the same as other MPVs and pretty much be inaccessible for the most part. I truly like the three-abreast seating and the boot space with the seats still up is surprisingly spacious given the very deceptive cargo blind. I also LOVE the twin sunroof idea - something that (as I grew up in the 70s and 80s) would have been a lovely feature for me as a kid, looking into the sky and also for the additional ventilation seeing as both of my parents smoked and we ended up with a face-full of hot ash if we had our side window open. Thinking about it though, it only has one extra seat than Betty the Fairmont....and the Fairmont would have a similar parking size issue (as did my many Commodores). However, if I asked you which you would prefer to drive, I believe I would know the unhesitating answer you would give me. I have never understood the MPV market space as I have also driven a Mitsubishi L300 Sportpac coach and thought that if you wanted seating for more than 5 people, then this was a better way to go....and it has more space to boot. What does an MPV have over a well-trimmed van? I drove my sister's Mazda MPV a few times and totally disliked the fact of the rear seating being more or less up against the tailgate for the same reason you do....so they have that in common with a van. I liked the power of the V6 that was in the MPV, but did not like the driving position or the fact that it felt like I was driving a fully loaded van. It was very frumpy, rolly and pitchy on the road and I felt my will to live draining out of me to the rumble, drone and echo in that hateful beige interior, whereas the Sportpac seemed more refined and I expected it to behave the way it did on the road The MPV remains one of the worst vehicles I have ever driven for enjoyment factor and, to me, something I could never drive long distance without getting quite grumpy. I hope that is not the same in the Multipla...... I've just seen your 'reveal' of the one you've purchased, so in time you will be able to report back on what its like to live with. I truly hope it's better than my experience with the Mazda! All the best.
Do not worry about the width. Take a Hublet and use the family spaces which are wider. Mind you it is not as huge and ungainly as any of the modern Leutenant Grüber's 'Little Tank' (aka. Any Audi/Merc SUV). 😊👍👍
11:29 the Alfa 156 platform was derived from the Bravo/Brava, but it was different in at least 60% of its architecture. Also the engine mounts weren't the same except for the 1.9 jtd versions. All in all a Busso Multipla would require much welding and cutting.
Ugly? Oh yes, but otherwise they are really excellent cars. So many clever and practical design touches that you don't always appreciate until you really spend time with one. Most folk I know who have actually driven one, buy one, they are actually that good. I just wish I still had mine, best car I've owned, no, the best car I've been in!
I like these a lot! Such personality and practicality. Apparently they handled quite well, it was width versus the relatively short length that made them so.
The Multiplay is a wonderful car and in that lovely blue quite attractive I think. Always loved that early Multipla wheel design; the best looking FIAT wheels of that era.
The reason there are so few left is they were shit . Mine had an engine electrical issue that no one could sort not even fiat . The guy I sold it too gave up and scrapped it .
That #UGLY sticker on the driver's side cowl of the small-van-within-a-car is an unwarranted apology to the great unwashed of motorists. #ODDBALL I would accept, but never ugly.
I wonder if this design of 3 seats and three seats is now stymied by the requirement of children even of reasonable age to be using a car seat with isofix mounts? Does the middle and side front seat take a child seat or is that not possible? Whereas I can imagine for parents it would be more sociable to have your kids sitting up front and seeing the view and being easier to talk to if there are three of you in the car.
I have made a reply above, but I am guessing the hard controls and lack of an airbag is the biggest problem. I am not sure if it would be possible to have a central airbag that would explode over the centre console.
My stepdad hired a 1.6 petrol years ago to go on holiday to Scotland from Plymouth he hated the looks but the car really grew on him on his time away. And down here a fare few diesel versions were used has taxis they have since switched to the Honda FRV another odd ball
I hated the look of these when they first came out but over the years it grown on me I would go as far to say I would have one very practical and Fiat not a bad engine thanks Ian nice to see an in depth look of this
Great car I have had 3 of them all 1.6 petrol ideal for my needs at the time I loved them. Not a fan of the newer facelift version the only problem I had with all 3 I might add dam sunroofs leak and badly even with captains tolly added creeping crack sealer I think that's its name still leaked like a tap. That's why I got rid as then caused electrical problems. still I nice motor if you want one get a non sunroof model it will save you a whole load of bother.
The gearing in all the older cars was more suited to going 35mph at 1750rpm in 5th any faster and the noise gets louder and louder. modern cars go 70mph in 6th at the same rpm.
I always liked these, to me they became ugly when they facelifted it to look "normal " The Nissan Juke is a much better example of an ugly design and poor interior accommodation
Great review, Ian! Never saw these in Oz. How does the interior width compare to Betty the AU? The large Australians were built for a front bench but they became decidedly unfashionable with front buckets and a centre console being more popular. Then the Territory was released to get the seats back! The ute models probably sold more with room for three.
I had a Multipla just like this as a company car, chosen to accommodate two young children, and have ability to take six people in total. I think the design was brilliant, and very underrated. The layout of three abreast seating was a clever way of maximising space usage. The quirky exterior design gave it a higher level of character, which most cars, then and now lack. The interior features were also very well thought through and executed. For example, the three rear seats could be completely removed if needed; the door pulls were big and chunky. The interior was clean and light from the twin sun-roofs. All in all it was a car designed to really function, but with a lot of style too. It wasn't designed to satisfy the boy-racer or attempt to appeal to them, and was all the better for that. If there was one down side, I'd say it was the boot space was too small. If they'd added maybe an extra 20cms to the length and increased the boot volume it would have been almost perfect as a family + friends car for everyday or holiday. And it was fun to drive too, I miss it!
We considered one, but decided it was just too ugly. The practicality is let down by the poor top gear ratio. We got an Insignia SRI TD instead, which seems to have infinite torque and eats up motorway miles.
A thing of beauty, particularly when you overtook the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer. Love it. Bonus Mk6 Escort, Isuzu DMax and Dodge Kaliber no less. Value viewing on Hubnut.
Definitely in the category of ‘Not for me when new - but yes, please, now.’ Would be an ideal HubNut family limo. Not just me who uses the handbrake, then. Here in Canada, front seat passengers go in to panic when I apply the ‘emergency brake’ for a hill start in a manual. Also, if you encounter someone who drives a manual, you often hear the complaint that people get too close behind them on a hill because they ‘need to roll back a bit to drive ahead’… I do leave plenty of room for people to do that now I’ve seen a few doing a dubious pedal shuffle.
I think a lot of the problem is that they mostly instruct people in automatics and, unlike the UK, once you have passed your test in the auto it qualifies you to drive a manual as well. So most people that go on to drive a manual have either taught themselves or been shown by family or friend.
The local Fiat dealer refused to sell a new one to one of my friends. The refusal went something like “I’m not selling you one as I’d be obliged to take it from you as a trade in further down the line and who else would want to buy a monstrosity like that?”
Always had a soft spot for these, although I appreciate they were very marmite. I think this era was an excellent one for Fiat designs. Another great HubNut vid!
I had the exact same thought about the 5 pot engine. There's nothing to stop someone from doing it as long as they can find the appropriate components. 🤔
Stick a 2litre auto under the bonnet and I'd be interested too. I like MPV's and once had a Mitsubishi Space Wagon and currently driving a Hyundai Ix20 1.6 auto, which I find a little under powered and has a 6-speed auto box but that's 1 gear too many, imho.
The Fiat that allways looked like it was designed by a committee! I've had the pleasure of working on a few of these over the years !!!... The petrol engines are willing little units ,but the Diesel engines have a good low down grunt gets a bit noisy when pushing on a bit However one note of caution Ian they Can be a right sod to work on
I've always liked the Multipla, I worked at a bodyshop that repaired Motability cars when they were current and they were very popular with the older generation that could easily step into them and fit scooters and chairs in the boot. It'd be good to find the often forgotten Honda FRV for a comparison test, we used to see a fair few of them too.
As a Honda FRV owner I'm all in on the middle seat life. A friend had a Multipla and loved it. Like many I mocked the front design but as I have got older I have secretly wanted one. Must avoid eBay tonight...
Somehow it looks prettier than a first generation Nissan Juke. You need to test the Fiat Doblo which was at one point the slowest car/van on the market.
I'm a fan - the challenging looks of the Multipla were function following form, a concept carried forwards with brutal honesty by Fiat. Sadly, UK buyers were and remain far more interested in superficial glitz and features of dubious benefit, so the Multipla did not do well here, but this early version has aged rather well (IMO). How many boringly 'conventional' cars of this vintage remain distinctive, and how many of today's new cars, mostly styled with myriad creases, aggressive slashes, etc will age as well as this beauty? I'd like one in beige, please.
I do love the changes occurring with Mr. Hubnut. What platform sharing "interesting" engines will fit in a Multipla? I do like the sound of a 5-pot. Multipla HGT?
What most people refer to as Ugly, I prefer to call interesting.. It really is a fascinating design, almost looks like it could be a UFO spaceship.. I actually remember my Dad considering one of these when we were looking for a new car when I was younger. Went with a Citroen Xsara Picasso instead. But yes, I can definitely see the appeal of this vehicle.. No doubt if the Show Breaking Bad was based in Europe this is what Walter White would have been driving ;D.
With so much quirkiness I'm surprised Fiat hadn't addressed your supermarket parking problem with sliding doors. I know it adds weight but it would solve the tight squeeze issue easily.
I loved mine, all the three back seats lift out completely, very easily, leaving you with a massive load space. We had it when we had 4 kids, annoyingly I got randy one night and we had a 5th and ran out of seats.
Or the 5th kid saved you from one ugly vehicle. 🤷♂️
@@interceptor-ss8kb or keep the car and get rid of an ugly kid
What replaced it then, my choice would have been a Citroen CX or Peugeot 504 familiale. In fact we had two CXs with just one kid and a dog. (serially, not both at once). The trouble was, I was always designated driver because I had the car that all my drinking friends could go out in.
@@saab900classic6 ha ha ha, they're all gorgweous!!
Or you could have bought a trailer to put in the back and made a 6th, 7th and 8th kid. Or simply do what I did after the 3rd, change hobby.
The revamped Multipla turned eccentricity into invisibility. The original ( i mean this one not the rear engined one) was brilliant, it's people who are fickle. The front vent is a face if you look carefully.
According to Wikipedia the Telegraph review said they were "desperately sad that the new Multipla no longer resembles a psychotic cartoon duck".
True, the facelifted version was a shocker by comparison.
@@caw25sha Funny! The new U.S. Postal Service vans (I think they're built by Grumman) have an odd resemblance to a duck head, rather like this Multipla.
@@craigmclean8260 It’s actually built by Oshkosh….Grumman built the last one…the new ones are some kind of strange looking though.
@@jonnycando Ah, okay...did not know that...thanks!
I'm on the side of "Genius" and the distinctive styling is fab. I'd always go for the diesel option and i may have to fight with kippers you for one. Then again, I can't really justify another car (A bike, on the other hand...)
Lovely odd design, a plus in my book. Would be interesting to compare to Honda FR-V, which is more conventional but still a little odd.
Some 10 years ago, a friend of mine needed a practical car because his wife is wheelchair-bound. And it needed to take him to work reliably.
As he has really zero interest nor knowledge of cars, I suggested him to look for the van version of a Fiat Multipla JTD (no back seats and rear windows covered). He found one with a colour like in this video and it brought him many pleasant miles. The three seats abreast were more wide and comfortable than those in my car, a Matra Murena. Surely the car was mocked by others but criticism was countered immediately by its practicality and it surely drove better than a van.
Unfortunately the car was killed in quite a spectacular crash on the motorway by a speeding drunk driver who caused such a carnage it was in the news.
We couldn't find a suitable successor and finally settled for a Dacia Logan MCV, which is an equally underrated car.
There was a wheelchair accessible Multipla car conversion, a friend has recently bought a used one. Fold down rear ramp that will support a heavy electric wheelchair. The floor is altered to allow the wheelchair to go right through to the front passenger side and be lashed down. I think it leaves it as a 4 seat, plus the front wheelchair space as the middle front seat is lost. Not sure if the middle rear seat is retained or lost, but the outer rear seats are made to fold sideways to allow the wheelchair access to the front.
the fiat 500L is the direct successor to the multipla, even looking the same from behind
..
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I've often thought that if Fiat spent half as much attention to detail on actually putting the cars together as they do on their industrial design their cars would be truly Godly.
Bit like Peugeot and Renault. High spec sturdy cars with good engines and cheap. but shit just goes rong.
@@chrishart8548 To be fair there, the Dacia Sandero I've had for three years (which is basically a grab bag of Renault components) has been almost entirely reliable, touch wood, and it's certainly better built than the Fiat Panda I owned before it.
Fiat=Fix it again Tony 😜
@@d2factotum those dacia cars seem to be doing OK but they need to be. People would love to hate on them if they turn out crap. Must be the tried and tested Renault/Nissan parts.
@@d2factotum I had a had a Panda 2010 for 7 years since new, to be fair the interior build quality was while looking cheap was supurb. Nothing snapped or broke off but there were a few too many silly electrical issues which I ended up having to fix myself. I think towards the engine the gear linkage was failing too, although fours later I spotted the car on the road and according to the MOT history it is still going strong. I am not sure if anybody fixed the linkage or it was just me being fussy :D
A great piece of design. Fiat were really on a roll looks-wise at the time; the Bravo and Brava were real lookers too and different to anything else. My brother had a 1.6 petrol Bravo in a similar dark blue. It was a cracking car. Car design seems to go in phases between safe and brave and Fiat had definitely swallowed some brave pills in the nineties. I do wonder if these cars encouraged Ford to be bold with its Mk1 Focus? Another great piece of design in my book and remains a favourite among those I’ve owned. I sometimes toy with the idea of owning another.
I owned the JTD for a couple of years. It was a fantastic car, infinitely better than the dreadful Zafira that replaced it.......
I too had a the JTD, then (after a Picasso) the Zafira diesel. It was a car with a particularly badly designed interior and had the most uncomfortable car seat I've ever sat on. It felt more grown-up than either the Picasso or Multipla and had better suspension, but really was dire as an MPV.
I used to drive brand spanking new Fiat's off the ship at Portbury Docks. Always admired the innovative design of the Multipla. A fine mechanised beast indeed Sire!
I want one! I can’t believe these have been overlooked for so long. Back in 2000 I was working for a firm of accountants and one of the senior partners bought one of these for his wife, of course we laughed and mocked at the time but I recall him telling us how unique it was.. anyway at the time they were all new, then I went off to Asia to work for 16 years and on my return I found myself looking for a good one of these and there were none… I’ve been half heartedly looking now for almost 5 years and I’ve yet to see a minter for sale in RHD.
Hi before i list my multipla i liked your message,it's time to say goodbye to my multipla mechanically it's very good has its faults I've had it over 10 years and it's got full mot and a full tank of fuel and it's the mark 1 message me if your interested 😎
Doug DeMuro reviewed one a while back and couldn't stop laughing at how strange it was.
Although I think he was genuinely impressed with it when it was one the road!
Multipla has more sense nowadays than before: if Stellantis decide to relaunch this amazing model in an electrical version it will succeed!😊...Maybe in a suv new design!
No, not an SUV, those are the opposite of a Multipla: huge on the outside, claustrophobic on the inside. All the Multipla needs are sleek colour coded bumpers, braver colours (the bravest colour the Multipla ever came in was a darkish red, it needs the colour range of the first Renault Twingo), projector headlights (same shape!), and better interior plastics to bring it right back to market with a modern (hybrid) drivetrain.
The ID Buzz will need competition. I seriously hope they do.
@@Perkelenaattori yes! With floors that big you can easily get 300-400mi ranges (so 200-300 in winter; still very very practicable)
@@kaitlyn__L
Its like the mk 1Twingos big bro and yes its much more ahead of 80% of what we have now and so good for repowering.
As for the hand brake a dash mounted pull and twist or squeeze would have been a spot on feature.😎
Personally ive never been a big fan of sun roofs 🤔..leaks and tend you tend to get your head and neck burnt. 😥
@@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665 oh crap I didn’t even think about recharging the chair in the car! That’s definitely another benefit for a big day out. And yeah a central handbrake (or a modem electric handbrake) would be a must.
Sunroofs are always divisive! My father felt the same as you so I loved travelling in friends’ cars when they did have sunroofs haha.
Y E S you need to buy one, would love to see a V6 or i5 conversion, possibly even a turbo 😁 . I miss the hanging bootstrap closer on the hatch of my Octavia 4*4. Is the Xedos in the video not worthy of a Hubnut mention, loved the 6 & 9 when new.
YES, I enjoyed the Multipla review, but I too was eyeing that Xedos with some appreciation!
Can't remember the last time I saw a real one with my own eyes...
I have a Xedos. It is a sublime drive. A car I will never sell.
There is at least one Multipla that had a Fiat Coupe 20VT engine conversion. Having owned 20VT Coupe, that must have been an entertaining car.
Really good review, thank you. Even though I was never in need of a multi-multi seater vehicle, I've always liked the looks of the original Multipla. Dash and instrument area too.
I owned one from 2001 until 2010. My children adored it, and there was usually some discussion about who would ride in the front middle. You did miss that the rear seats could be removed easily after pulling one tag, making the Multipla into a very commodious van. The upper front lights were for main beam only. Mine was a diesel, handled well, and could easily manage a family trip to somewhere deep in France. It was very frugal. I actually liked its looks. Anyhow, for those who don’t, you cannot see the outside when you’re on the inside! I definitely think there ought to be a Hubnutipla on your fleet.
My brother in law had the bug eye and the later facelifted version, both turbo diesels. I borrowed his bug eye one for a family holiday in Suffolk. Brilliant family car. You get used to the width and with that central seat folded it makes a great space for drinks and sandwiches etc.Mr Furious Driving would love it. Both my brother in laws Multiplas did thousands of miles with no problem and he loved them.
I have driven a FRV and that great too. Might be a better bet for you.
Both people I know that had these absolutely raved about them (and still do). Practical, handy and surprisingly tough family workhorses. They were both diesels.
Great review as usual. The 5 cylinder is a possibility as I saw one in Italy a few years ago with a turbo 5 banger installed. Unfortunately I couldn't get to speak to the chap that built it.
There was at least one conversion in the UK that used the turbocharged IL5 220bhp engine from the Fiat Coupe 20VT
The turbo 5cyl boosted to 450 HP. All seats removed except the driver's seat and you've got a 10 sec dragster !
Oooh the late 90's!!
Thank you for doing this... I remember in the late 90's there seemed to be great excitment and getting ready for the new millenium there also seemed to be an economic boom... I also recall your video of the Fiat Bravo in NZ!
I do remember those and liked them because they were different, but still yarned for the Opel Vectra wagon with the black roof rack rails... Oh well...
I also recall you saying how car design really peaked in the late 90's/early 2000's and it does reflect how times have changed since.... Sign.........Let's hope for better times though!
Is it a "margin of melancholy" when the wiper doesn't reach the edge of the screen?
Bingo! That's what I call it on our Renault.
@@RWBHere
If they are on a spline reset it by a tooth or try an offset arm or blade mount. 😁
An ex partner of mine used to have one of these with the diesel engine which I drove from time to time and I must say it was a really nice car to drive. Enjoyable review Ian.
Some angles reminds me of the smaller Renault Modus. Great test. 3 abreast in the spirit of the Matra Simca Bagheera 👍😊
When these launched I was firmly in the "what on earth is that, the front looks weird" camp, but....
It's very interesting now, especially that interior which is so bright and I really like all that colour including in the dash and rear parcel shelf. All those curves inside are so late 90s which is definitely a good thing (as a late 90s car owner myself).
I expect a lot of family fun could be had in that car.
I've always loved the design. It's a nineties interpretation of the old horse carriage. What the first cars were: horse carriage with an engine. These old cars usually had en extra set of headlights. And the roofline of the Multipla reminds me of these old softtops that the oldest cars had. The design is absolutely brilliant.
I’d not looked at it that way before but I totally see it!
A harsh quote from the Sunday Times, "The tragedy of the Multipla is that its Elephant Man esque exterior enclosed a genuinely clever and spacious interior, and it wasn’t bad to drive, either. It’s a shame, then, that you’d rather walk than be seen in it." The revamped version reminds me of a giant Panda !
I won a giant panda at the fun fair once.
@@Endfloat Good work sir!
@@Endfloat how did it drive?
The facelift ended up looking like an Idea that’d held in one too many farts.
@@Moggster23 a bit woolly.
I always loved these! Typically, I love one-box-MPVs like the Espace I - IV and similar, with their high-speed-train-look, but this is just so charming and quirky, I just have to adore it. I'd say any modern premium SUV is by far more ugly than this. It is playful in the same was as the original Renault Twingo - you have to be a pretty boring person not to like it. I support your idea to look in the classifieds to the fullest! Do it - do it - do it! :D
Amazing bit of engineering, practical, spacious, reliable, frugal, comfortable....you name it. But boy was it ugly! My uncle had three JTDs in a row. Still misses them these days.
Good to see you outside Krone Rustproofing, I think you need to spend more time there...
Ian if you like the 1.6 version you absolutely must try a diesel version. The diesel version is so much better and if I'm honest in 25 years of driving and having a wide array of cars the engine in the diesel Multipla is one of the best engines iv ever had in a vehicle. My friend used his as a taxi and managed to rack up 326000 miles in his on the same engine and gearbox it was made with having only 1 clutch replacement and servicing the vehicle very very regularly. And it is still on the road being used now by his wife as its the perfect car for their grandchildren. I wouldn't have a petrol version Ian but I can tell you the diesel is a very good car...🙂👍👍👍
I always liked the crazy looks of the Multipla.. To me the revised version just spolt it. However I think that about all cars, the first version of the shape always looks better than a revised version after 20 years or so.
I like the Multiple when it first came out, it broke the mould of 'roach' shaped cars. Like you Ian, I enjoy unusual cars - they're so much more interesting.
I have always liked the Multipla, very nearly bought a 1.6 but didn't. Can't find any now.
At least the handbrake is tucked back by the seat, I had a Citroen Dispatch and kicked it out getting out on a hill, which didn't end well.
Very Hubnut. Great relaxed video as usual. Did not get these in Australia for some reason. Toyota Tarago seem to have the market sown up in that era.
I used to have a brava (yes the 5 door one with the funky lights) and it was fantastic to drive. Always wondered what one of these would be like as it was basically a brava with a stovepipe hat.
I have 2010 (dull-looking) Multipla II with 1.9 JTD, bought secondhand with 150k km on clock. Brilliant.
When I was looking for one, the dealer said to avoid other engine option (“Bi-Power”, gas/petrol) if we’re on hills (Italian hills). JTD indeed is a good motor.
Our local mechanic said “this IS a car FIAT should be proud to have made”. I agree.
On my LHD car, there’s no problem with the position of handbrake lever.
A fair review there Mr Hubnut.
The M5/Oldbury took you past the CarSosage workshop, where Mr Fuzz also has a Multipla 🤗
(Coulda had a drive in the only UK registered 1.2 SL 5 door Arna while in the area, another time eh?)
'You can't see the outside when you're onboard' so only others have to suffer the hideousness of it 😂
Unfortunately when you're inside you do have to look at that completely awful dashboard 😂
What a delightful vehicle that we never got in the States! The "quirky/unique/practicality" was a big reason why I chose a Honda Element as a new car/SUV in 2003 (when they were new). Very handy for loading things (they were very popular w/ dog-groomers/dog-owners), but only four seats. Similar gear lever placement, but like the Multipla, it revved out to 3800 RPM at 75 MPH; I wished it had a 6th gear.
We ran a 2001 JTD ELX for 11 years and 80000 miles. We did everything with it including a house move, towing a four berth caravan to Fort William (from the West Midlands) and many other things. Almost faultlessly reliable the whole way apart from a freak failure which meant I had to change the gearbox and, despite many media reports to the contrary, the engine never consumed a drop of oil between changes. Brilliant car.
It's hard to imagine a more 'Marmite' vehicle - i.e a car that you either love or loathe. I happy to find myself in the 'love' camp. Unfortunately for Fiat almost everyone brought a Zafira instead and presumably chose not to think what might happen to their kids in the event of a rear end shunt ...
Great vid as usual. Have always loved these, but then I was 12 when they came out and I'm well aware of my rose-tinted fondness for 90s fluid design compared to today's offerings.
Cameos for Xedos and a yellow 156 (!) only makes this even more re-watchable
Bought one in 2000. Likes cars that stand out. Fantastic design. Still driving the car after 22 years. I hope I can keep it for several more years.
Multipla is easier to park than a Ducato, but van-spec mirrors and knowing how to reverse into parking bays definitely make life easier.
I drive a Peugeot Boxer L3 = 6m long, which is about 1.3 standard bay lengths.
I worked for a Fiat dealership in my 20s and first thing I thought was how much fun it would be to drop a 2.0 20V turbo from a Fiat Coupe into a Multipla. They even did a body kit for them in the accessory catalogue. Such a misunderstood car. The width meant it went round corners like a go-cart
Had a Marea weekend estate with the 5 cylinder 20valve, lovely sound
I think it was 2001 when I was in Milan when my friend was there as an exchange student. We got into an Italian taxi Multipla and a Punto cut our driver off in a roundabout. Our driver opened the window and started yelling "VAFFANCULO!" at the Punto and overtook it not so passive aggressively. I looked at Punto driver and she must've been an 80 year old woman. I'll never forget my first Multipla ride.
‘Time has been kind to this’ - Spot on Ian. Really enjoyed your review 👍
It turns out Doug DeMuro loves the Multipla and he wants to import them when it gets to 25 years old (because to import a car to USA it needs to be 25 years old)
Pretty sure DeMuro is over 25 😁
Always been a fan of these! Few (if any) small MPV's are memorable or distinctive - have to respect Fiat for cladding ingenious packaging in such a bold design - "ugly" is unfortunately most people's synonym for "different" 😣
The plush version is the Rover James 😁
I will say the diesel version is an absolute peach and extremely good on fuel...👍
That blue colour really complements the design of the Multipla, dare I say it makes it look quite nice, I teased the wife about getting a Multipla for my next car awhile ago but she didn't like the thought of that. shame that they are becoming harder to find, at the time of writing this I could only find one non facelift Multipla on ebay.
Loved my Hippo, Most comfortable people carrier I ever had. Shame they didn’t take the interior to a newer model. Only gripe was that windows didn’t go all the way down into the doors
Brilliant car. Loads of space inside, superb visibility, loved the dash and beat this. Took ours for a few laps round Donington race circuit after Touring Cars. Handled pretty well for an MPV.
I never understood the controversy around these. It always struck me as an intelligent and genuinely innovative design. A mate had one at the time to ferry him, his missus and three young kids around, and it was a faultless family car. Mind you, I did love that opposition football fans in Italy took to singing “you’re as ugly as a Multipla” at Juventus supporters.
I had a diesel one - bought with over 200,000 miles and sold when it had done 276,000 miles! It had been chipped up to about 150bhp too (if you go higher the clutch becomes an issue). There were loads of quirks (like the door handles that stick up so you have to slap them down or the doors won't shut), but it's an astoundingly practical car.
Some lunatics in Poland put the 20VT engine from a FIAT Coupe into one - that looked spectacular.
If I owned one of these I would only be able to drive it between the hours of 0100 - 0500.
When these came out and I first saw one on the motorway heading to work, I was so distracted by its differences to anything I had seen before, that I wasn't paying enough attention to where I was going and nearly clipped a median barrier. A first for me....
I could not figure out who made them because I was distracted by its......er......unique.... ...front end styling. Words like "aaaaarrrggghhhh!" and "aaaaarrrggghhhh!" again, along with phrases along the lines of "what were they thinking?" and "they really swatted it with the ugly stick, didn't they?", interspersed with many Anglo-Saxon epithets used as adjectives, verbs, adverbs, conjunctions and exclamations were used. To say the reasons behind the styling were lost on me was an understatement!
However, time has been good to the Multipla. We have had many other "unique" designs since then and so its initially "way out there" looks seem to have been tamed somewhat. I must admit that the outside view of the vehicle put me off so much that I never dared look inside, let alone drive one in case someone thought I light actually LIKE it. Your video, Ian, has opened my eyes and shown me what I was missing out on. It looks to be a rather well thought out and practical vehicle (handbrake excepted).
For instance, I never knew that you could get to ALL of the engine under its bonnet! I always thought it would be the same as other MPVs and pretty much be inaccessible for the most part. I truly like the three-abreast seating and the boot space with the seats still up is surprisingly spacious given the very deceptive cargo blind. I also LOVE the twin sunroof idea - something that (as I grew up in the 70s and 80s) would have been a lovely feature for me as a kid, looking into the sky and also for the additional ventilation seeing as both of my parents smoked and we ended up with a face-full of hot ash if we had our side window open.
Thinking about it though, it only has one extra seat than Betty the Fairmont....and the Fairmont would have a similar parking size issue (as did my many Commodores). However, if I asked you which you would prefer to drive, I believe I would know the unhesitating answer you would give me.
I have never understood the MPV market space as I have also driven a Mitsubishi L300 Sportpac coach and thought that if you wanted seating for more than 5 people, then this was a better way to go....and it has more space to boot. What does an MPV have over a well-trimmed van?
I drove my sister's Mazda MPV a few times and totally disliked the fact of the rear seating being more or less up against the tailgate for the same reason you do....so they have that in common with a van. I liked the power of the V6 that was in the MPV, but did not like the driving position or the fact that it felt like I was driving a fully loaded van. It was very frumpy, rolly and pitchy on the road and I felt my will to live draining out of me to the rumble, drone and echo in that hateful beige interior, whereas the Sportpac seemed more refined and I expected it to behave the way it did on the road The MPV remains one of the worst vehicles I have ever driven for enjoyment factor and, to me, something I could never drive long distance without getting quite grumpy. I hope that is not the same in the Multipla......
I've just seen your 'reveal' of the one you've purchased, so in time you will be able to report back on what its like to live with. I truly hope it's better than my experience with the Mazda!
All the best.
Do not worry about the width. Take a Hublet and use the family spaces which are wider. Mind you it is not as huge and ungainly as any of the modern Leutenant Grüber's 'Little Tank' (aka. Any Audi/Merc SUV). 😊👍👍
11:29 the Alfa 156 platform was derived from the Bravo/Brava, but it was different in at least 60% of its architecture. Also the engine mounts weren't the same except for the 1.9 jtd versions. All in all a Busso Multipla would require much welding and cutting.
Ugly? Oh yes, but otherwise they are really excellent cars. So many clever and practical design touches that you don't always appreciate until you really spend time with one. Most folk I know who have actually driven one, buy one, they are actually that good.
I just wish I still had mine, best car I've owned, no, the best car I've been in!
I like these a lot! Such personality and practicality. Apparently they handled quite well, it was width versus the relatively short length that made them so.
The Multiplay is a wonderful car and in that lovely blue quite attractive I think.
Always loved that early Multipla wheel design; the best looking FIAT wheels of that era.
The reason there are so few left is they were shit . Mine had an engine electrical issue that no one could sort not even fiat . The guy I sold it too gave up and scrapped it .
Just my view, FIAT is as they say, Fix It Again Tomorrow.
That #UGLY sticker on the driver's side cowl of the small-van-within-a-car is an unwarranted apology to the great unwashed of motorists. #ODDBALL I would accept, but never ugly.
I wonder if this design of 3 seats and three seats is now stymied by the requirement of children even of reasonable age to be using a car seat with isofix mounts? Does the middle and side front seat take a child seat or is that not possible? Whereas I can imagine for parents it would be more sociable to have your kids sitting up front and seeing the view and being easier to talk to if there are three of you in the car.
I have made a reply above, but I am guessing the hard controls and lack of an airbag is the biggest problem. I am not sure if it would be possible to have a central airbag that would explode over the centre console.
My stepdad hired a 1.6 petrol years ago to go on holiday to Scotland from Plymouth he hated the looks but the car really grew on him on his time away.
And down here a fare few diesel versions were used has taxis they have since switched to the Honda FRV another odd ball
I hated the look of these when they first came out but over the years it grown on me I would go as far to say I would have one very practical and Fiat not a bad engine thanks Ian nice to see an in depth look of this
Great car I have had 3 of them all 1.6 petrol ideal for my needs at the time I loved them. Not a fan of the newer facelift version the only problem I had with all 3 I might add dam sunroofs leak and badly even with captains tolly added creeping crack sealer I think that's its name still leaked like a tap. That's why I got rid as then caused electrical problems. still I nice motor if you want one get a non sunroof model it will save you a whole load of bother.
That's a much nicer car than the PT cruiser you borrowed recently personally I wouldn't mind one
The gearing in all the older cars was more suited to going 35mph at 1750rpm in 5th any faster and the noise gets louder and louder. modern cars go 70mph in 6th at the same rpm.
I always liked these, to me they became ugly when they facelifted it to look "normal "
The Nissan Juke is a much better example of an ugly design and poor interior accommodation
Great review, Ian! Never saw these in Oz. How does the interior width compare to Betty the AU? The large Australians were built for a front bench but they became decidedly unfashionable with front buckets and a centre console being more popular. Then the Territory was released to get the seats back! The ute models probably sold more with room for three.
Overall width is near-identical. Certainly the passenger window still feels a long way away in both!
I had a Multipla just like this as a company car, chosen to accommodate two young children, and have ability to take six people in total. I think the design was brilliant, and very underrated. The layout of three abreast seating was a clever way of maximising space usage. The quirky exterior design gave it a higher level of character, which most cars, then and now lack. The interior features were also very well thought through and executed. For example, the three rear seats could be completely removed if needed; the door pulls were big and chunky. The interior was clean and light from the twin sun-roofs. All in all it was a car designed to really function, but with a lot of style too. It wasn't designed to satisfy the boy-racer or attempt to appeal to them, and was all the better for that. If there was one down side, I'd say it was the boot space was too small. If they'd added maybe an extra 20cms to the length and increased the boot volume it would have been almost perfect as a family + friends car for everyday or holiday. And it was fun to drive too, I miss it!
That is so extremely weird and fugly I actually like that it's around to contrast the daily dull grey plebmobiles.
Its Awful AND Genius.
Never mind the practicality, what about the width? How do you park this thing in the land of undersized parking spaces?
Aha. A neighbour just bought the 1.9 jtd. 2002 i need to twist his arm for a test drive. You still see them around here in Spain
We considered one, but decided it was just too ugly. The practicality is let down by the poor top gear ratio. We got an Insignia SRI TD instead, which seems to have infinite torque and eats up motorway miles.
Why didn't they spec a central driving position? Seems like an obvious solution given the 3 seats up front.
That would be a nightmare for visibility.
Would also make ticket barriers a right pain!
How on earth I've ended up watching this I will never know. However it reminds me of the car from the Simpsons episode when Homer designs a car
A thing of beauty, particularly when you overtook the Vauxhall Zafira Tourer. Love it.
Bonus Mk6 Escort, Isuzu DMax and Dodge Kaliber no less. Value viewing on Hubnut.
Definitely in the category of ‘Not for me when new - but yes, please, now.’ Would be an ideal HubNut family limo.
Not just me who uses the handbrake, then. Here in Canada, front seat passengers go in to panic when I apply the ‘emergency brake’ for a hill start in a manual. Also, if you encounter someone who drives a manual, you often hear the complaint that people get too close behind them on a hill because they ‘need to roll back a bit to drive ahead’… I do leave plenty of room for people to do that now I’ve seen a few doing a dubious pedal shuffle.
omg,imagine doing hill starts with a roll back tbh, British examiners would have heart failure!!!!!!
I think a lot of the problem is that they mostly instruct people in automatics and, unlike the UK, once you have passed your test in the auto it qualifies you to drive a manual as well. So most people that go on to drive a manual have either taught themselves or been shown by family or friend.
I think it's about time to have a first generation Mitsubishi Space Wagon on test! Can't wait to see Ian trying to sit in the 3rd row:)
Gosh. Would love to find one, but I fear they've all disappeared.
A cool ride and plenty of future HubNut review cars where you were, especially the Xedos and the distinctly yellow 159, thank you!
Had to go back and watch the road test that spawned the latest purchase!
Did the Krown wax protection place use to be a car wash?
The local Fiat dealer refused to sell a new one to one of my friends. The refusal went something like “I’m not selling you one as I’d be obliged to take it from you as a trade in further down the line and who else would want to buy a monstrosity like that?”
Brilliant car in my opinion. Very clever and is becoming increasingly rare.
Always had a soft spot for these, although I appreciate they were very marmite. I think this era was an excellent one for Fiat designs. Another great HubNut vid!
I had the exact same thought about the 5 pot engine.
There's nothing to stop someone from doing it as long as they can find the appropriate components. 🤔
There's a company in London that's in the process of installing the guts of an Early Nissan Leaf into a Multipla.
Stick a 2litre auto under the bonnet and I'd be interested too. I like MPV's and once had a Mitsubishi Space Wagon and currently driving a Hyundai Ix20 1.6 auto, which I find a little under powered and has a 6-speed auto box but that's 1 gear too many, imho.
If you don’t mind LHD, there are still plenty of these mk1’s in Italy, almost all diesel.
The steering wheel and stalks are from the brava and bravo 1995 2002 i had one a brava..
The Fiat that allways looked like it was designed by a committee!
I've had the pleasure of working on a few of these over the years !!!...
The petrol engines are willing little units ,but the Diesel engines have a good low down grunt gets a bit noisy when pushing on a bit
However one note of caution Ian they Can be a right sod to work on
I've always liked the Multipla, I worked at a bodyshop that repaired Motability cars when they were current and they were very popular with the older generation that could easily step into them and fit scooters and chairs in the boot.
It'd be good to find the often forgotten Honda FRV for a comparison test, we used to see a fair few of them too.
As a Honda FRV owner I'm all in on the middle seat life. A friend had a Multipla and loved it. Like many I mocked the front design but as I have got older I have secretly wanted one. Must avoid eBay tonight...
Somehow it looks prettier than a first generation Nissan Juke. You need to test the Fiat Doblo which was at one point the slowest car/van on the market.
My attention was immediately drawn to the Japanese white vans (Toyota?) in the background.
I'm a fan - the challenging looks of the Multipla were function following form, a concept carried forwards with brutal honesty by Fiat. Sadly, UK buyers were and remain far more interested in superficial glitz and features of dubious benefit, so the Multipla did not do well here, but this early version has aged rather well (IMO). How many boringly 'conventional' cars of this vintage remain distinctive, and how many of today's new cars, mostly styled with myriad creases, aggressive slashes, etc will age as well as this beauty? I'd like one in beige, please.
I do love the changes occurring with Mr. Hubnut. What platform sharing "interesting" engines will fit in a Multipla? I do like the sound of a 5-pot. Multipla HGT?
What most people refer to as Ugly, I prefer to call interesting.. It really is a fascinating design, almost looks like it could be a UFO spaceship.. I actually remember my Dad considering one of these when we were looking for a new car when I was younger. Went with a Citroen Xsara Picasso instead. But yes, I can definitely see the appeal of this vehicle.. No doubt if the Show Breaking Bad was based in Europe this is what Walter White would have been driving ;D.
With so much quirkiness I'm surprised Fiat hadn't addressed your supermarket parking problem with sliding doors. I know it adds weight but it would solve the tight squeeze issue easily.