The Fiat Bravo II (Type 198) benefited from a discreet facelift in 2010 (black or chrome grille, darkened headlights, new interior trims) to relaunch its career against the C-segment leaders (Golf VI, Mégane III). This facelift coincides with the transition to the Euro 5 standard, notably introducing MultiAir technology in petrol engines. Often wrongly shunned, the Bravo II is a compact car with a design that ages very well, offering an excellent price/performance ratio on the used market. While its technical base (derived from the Stilo) is proven, it suffers from a few capricious peripherals. In petrol, it offers generally very robust FIRE and T-Jet engines, making it an economical and reliable alternative if the right transmission is chosen.
The facelifted Fiat Bravo II is a particularly smart used choice for those looking for an affordable, pretty, and generally reliable compact car. In petrol, the 1.4 T-Jet 120 hp is the best compromise, provided you rigorously inspect the manual gearbox (M32) during the test drive. The 1.4 MultiAir 140 hp offers better drivability and a flawless gearbox (C635), but requires a crystal-clear maintenance history to guarantee the survival of its timing module. Avoid models equipped with the Dualogic automated gearbox, which is slow and prone to actuator failures. Budget for minor electronic quirks (Blue&Me, air conditioning actuators), but the pure mechanics will take you far.