The Fiat Bravo II (Type 198) received a discreet facelift in 2010 (chrome or black grille, darkened headlights, new interior trims). Positioned in the highly competitive C-segment, it stands out with an elegant Latin design by Italdesign Giugiaro and an excellent price-to-equipment ratio. The facelift brought the engines up to Euro 5 standards, marking the arrival of the 1.4 MultiAir petrol engine and the widespread use of the excellent 1.6 and 2.0 Multijet diesel blocks. Although it suffered from a somewhat lackluster brand image compared to German and French benchmarks, the facelifted Bravo II is a very well-rounded compact car, offering a generous trunk volume (400 liters) and quite respectable overall reliability, particularly with diesel engines.
The facelifted Fiat Bravo II is an extremely smart used choice, particularly with a diesel engine. The 1.6 and 2.0 Multijet blocks are among the most reliable diesel engines of their generation, often surpassing their French or German counterparts in terms of the block's own endurance. However, this idyllic picture is tarnished by the infamous M32 gearbox (on the 1.6 Mjet and 1.4 T-Jet), which requires absolute vigilance when buying. If you find a model where the gearbox has been rebuilt (reinforced bearings) or if you opt for the powerful 2.0 Multijet (equipped with an indestructible F40 gearbox), the Bravo is an excellent deal to negotiate.