New 2014 Fiat Linea review, test drive

We got our first glimpse of the facelifted Fiat Linea all the way back in May 2012, when it was launched in Turkey. It’s been quite a wait, but the car finally made its Indian debut at Auto Expo 2014. When we saw it in the metal, there was no doubting that the facelift had been very successful, but now we’ve managed to get behind the wheel to see exactly how much of a transformation Fiat has managed to give its mid-sizer, and if it has what it takes to take on this hotly contested segment.

The Fiat Linea has always been one of the best looking mid-size sedans on sale, but five years on, it was starting to look a bit dated. Thankfully, this facelift does a great job of giving it a more premium look, while retaining the car’s clean proportions. The top Emotion variant we’re driving has lots of new chrome trim – the prominent two-slat grille and the new, larger air dam are slathered in the shiny stuff. Around the back, a thick chrome strip adorns the bumper, and the number plate is now on the boot lid, beneath another chunk of chrome with ‘Linea’ embossed on it. The rear bumper also gets a black faux diffuser section, there are good-looking new alloys, and indicators now feature in the wing mirrors.

The bigger changes, however, are on the inside, where Fiat has worked hard to improve the ambience. There’s an all-new dashboard that just oozes Italian flair in its design. The new colour scheme is black and cream, with a glossy black finish for the central AC vents and audio system, which are very neatly integrated. There’s soft-touch plastic on the dash too, and even concealed ambient lighting that bathes the cabin in a warm orange glow. The outer AC vents are now round, feel premium and add a little bit more character.