Fiat Qubo is quirky but spacious

If you had decided that a small car was the thing to have, there was a time when you had very little choice, writes motoring editor Peter Carroll.

You could choose from a range of small hatchbacks, and that was it. Small, cheap and with three doors more often than not, that was your lot.

Now of course every conceivable niche is explored by dozens of manufacturers, and plenty of them have come at the small end of the scale.

The Qubo is Fiat's first foray into the mini-MPV sector, which has seen a steady increase in popularity over the years as buyers have become keen on the idea of having something small on the outside but practical and spacious on the inside.

See more pictures in our Qubo gallery below...

In keeping with Fiat's value angle on things, the Qubo is a mix of Grande Punto and van, but at this end of the price structure that's certainly no bad thing.

The mixed origins helps to keep the cost down, and when you're buying something small it needs a price tag to match.

You might spot the Qubo's commercial heritage from its external appearance, but it's just as likely that you'll assume it's just landed from the planet Zarg.

Quirky looks

To say the Qubo is an unusual looking thing is an understatement, but that doesn't mean it is lacking in charm: the gaping front end has a cheery honesty to it, the sliding doors and rising window line are smart, while the rear is neat and attractive.

There's also a lot to be said for choosing one of the wackier colours: the wacky green and visceral orange actually suit it better, as there's little point in hiding something this unusual behind a sober metallic.

It's not for everyone of course, but it's certainly preferable to a dull box.

Inside there's even more to be pleased about. For a start, getting in has never been easier. For those in the front seats, the high roofline means you barely have to duck in order to slide into the high-mounted seats.

Those in the back can dive in through the sliding rear doors - a legacy of the van-based status of course, but given that they appear on expensive full-size people carriers too, they are extremely useful, especially when unloading kids in a multi-storey car park.

Plenty of space

Space is also something there's no shortage of. In the front, headroom is simply not an issue, thanks to the high roofline and steep windscreen.

Even the tallest of men with a taste for expansive headgear will find more than enough room, and there's decent elbow room to go with it.

In the rear, there's sufficient space for tall people to get comfortable too, with a good view out thanks to the rear seats being mounted slightly higher than those in the front.

Due to the width, three full-size adults across the rear seat might be a bit of a squeeze, but it's not impossible, and there are few cars with these external dimensions that could claim that.

Practical and spacious

As you would expect, the cabin is designed to be as practical and spacious as possible. There is a smattering of storage areas throughout, but it's the amount of space on offer that's really impressive.

With the seats occupied and up to the top of the parcel shelf there's 330 litres of space (as much as the bigger Bravo).

Remove the parcel shelf and you have 650 litres, only slightly less than a large estate, and with the seats folded you have a mammoth 2,500 litres to play with. If that's not enough it's time to call in a removal firm.

Slide behind the wheel and you're greeted by the vaguely familiar layout which is largely inherited from the Grande Punto.

That means it is simple but attractive, with a chunky steering wheel, handsome dials and simple rotary controls for the heating and ventilation.

The high-mounted gearlever is also a benefit, and the driving position is upright but comfortable. Thanks to the huge glass area, visibility is very good.

Light steering

The steering is light and accurate, and the Qubo responds well to your demands. Under the bonnet there's a choice of a 1.4-litre petrol delivering 73bhp and the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel providing 75bhp, though with considerably more torque to back it up.

That said, the Qubo is no fireball even in diesel form. You need to make an effort with the revs and the gearlever to make decent progress, but thanks to the decent refinement your ears won't get a bashing as a result.

There's a lot to like about the Qubo, especially when you bring the subject of prices into it.

The entry-level 1.4 Dynamic checks in at a modest £9,750, but even the top dog 1.3 M-Jet Dynamic is only £12,350.

It's worth plumping for the diesel, but all models come with a decent level of kit, including hands-free Bluetooth and a USB connector, which as well as allowing an MP3 player to be connected, also lets you use Fiat's Eco:Drive system, designed to help you monitor your economy and emissions via some clever software.

The Qubo is not on its own in this sector, but it does score high on practicality and value, and that's more than enough to satisfy the needs of a whole host of keen buyers.

By Peter Carroll

Fiat Qubo Fact File:

Model: 1.3 M-Jet Dynamic

Price: £12,350 on the road

Engine: 1,248cc

Power: 75bhp

Transmission: Five-speed manual, front wheel drive

Performance: 0-62mph in 16.5 seconds

Top speed: 97mph

Economy: 62.8mpg on combined cycle

CO2 emissions: 119g/km

Length: 3,959mm

Weight: 1,275kg

Servicing: 20,000 miles

Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles