Fiat, Italy’s leading automotive brand, has launched its first mid-size SUV in Australia – the Freemont, priced from $27,000 ‘Driveaway’.
If you think the Fiat Freemont looks a lot like the Journey from Fiat-owned Dodge, you’d be right, but there are some crucial differences (apart from styling changes inside and out).
For starters there are the engines – Fiat Freemont employing a either a 125kW/220Nm 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol or a 125kw/350Nm 2.0-litre, four-cylinder MultiJet II turbo-diesel (both sourced from Fiat Powertrain).
Then there are the prices – from $27,000 ‘Driveaway’ for the petrol and from $32,600 for the turbo-diesel. Fiat claims the new turbo-diesel Freemont is now Australia’s most affordable 4x2 mid-size SUV.
And unlike the Dodge Journey, Fiat Freemont comes standard as a five-seater (the seven-seat configuration is a $1,500 option which also includes triple-zone climate-control air-conditioning).
Cargo capacity is impressive – up to 1,461-litres.
Fiat Freemont is available in three grades – ‘Base’, ‘Urban’ and range-topping ‘Lounge’. Specifications are impressive with the entry-level model boasting a leather-wrapped steering wheel, front parking sensors, 17-in alloy wheels and 4.3-inch touch-screen audio.
When you get to the range-topping Fiat Freemont ‘Lounge’ you’re talking 19-inch alloy wheels, Alpine audio, accent-stitched leather seats (heated fronts) and satellite navigation.
The full range is:
Base (2.4-litre Petrol 6-speed automatic) $25,990 ($27,000 ‘Driveaway)
Urban (2.4-litre Petrol 6-speed automatic) $28,300
Lounge (2.4-litre Petrol 6-speed automatic) $30,300
Urban (2.0-litre turbo-diesel 6-speed manual) $32,600
