Fiat Argo replaced the Fiat Punto and Fiat Palio. It is also more practical than other compact Fiat hatchback models on the market as its interior is more spacious. But is the Fiat Argo a good car?
Fiat Argo is a good car for people looking for an affordable, comfortable, efficient, advanced, and sporty hatchback. It also comes with more technologies than other Fiat hatchbacks on the market. Besides, families will find it interesting as it is more practical.
On the contrary, individuals looking for a more advanced, powerful, luxurious, and high-performance hatchback will have to consider other options. All in all, it is still a nice car and it is rated with above-average reliability.
History of Fiat Argo
Fiat Argo is a subcompact car in the B-Segment. Even though it is made by Fiat, which is an Italian company, it is developed for the South American market. The first units were presented and sold in Brazil in 2017. In Argentina, sales started in 2018.
The Fiat Argo is a five-door hatchback with a front engine, and front-wheel-drive. Besides, the manufacturer offers three engine options, including 1.0-liter FireFly I3 flex fuel, 1.3-liter FireFly I4 flex fuel, and 1.8-liter E.torQ I4 flex fuel. Note that all engines are flex-fuel for the Brazilian market and gasoline-only in other places.
Features of Fiat Argo
Appearance
The Fiat Argo is beautifully designed with full of Italian soul in it. The car is elegant, sporty, and stylish. Some of the exterior features that stand out are the bulky hood and bi-parabole headlights with LED, and honeycomb grille. The interior is also modern and advanced with high-end features, such as the 7-inch multimedia screen.
Performance
Despite Fiat cars being unpopular when it comes to performance, the Fiat Argo is slightly different. The car offers exceptional performance as it has eight engine trims options to select from. All of these trims are based on the 1.0-liter, 1.3-liter, and 1.8-liter engines with different performances.
Since the engines are based on the Firefly strength, they’re very efficient and reliable. Besides, the 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine generates up to 77 hp, while the 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine produces up to 109 hp, and the E.torQ Evo VIS, which is the most powerful engine produces up to 139 hp.
It is also crucial to note that the Fiat Argo has three transmission options, including the five-speed manual, automated GSR comfort, and six-speed automatic transmission.
Comfort and cargo space
Fiat Argo comes with one of the largest cabins in the B-Segment. It has a total of 99 cubic feet of space. Hence, it has a lot of rear, front, knee, and headroom, meaning passengers will sit comfortably without trying to alter the interior. It also comes with ample cargo space of 10.6 cubic feet, allowing occupants to carry luggage at the back.
Fuel efficient
Fiat Argo is very fuel efficient. Therefore, users should expect to spend less money on this car. Fiat Argo 1.0 flex engine comes with an efficiency rating of 23.3 mpg in the city with alcohol and 33.4 mpg with gasoline. On the contrary, it has an efficiency rating of 25.2 mpg on the road with alcohol and 35.5 mpg with gasoline.
Safety
The Fiat Argo is among the most recent Fiat models to be introduced into the market. As a result, it is slightly safer than older models that have a few safety features. Some of the top safety features in the Fiat Argo are electronic stability control, reverse camera, reverse sensor, ISOFIX seats, and traction control.
Price
The price for the Fiat Argo varies according to the trim you select. The cheapest trim is the Fiat Argo 1.0 flex manual with a starting price of around $12,200, while the medium-priced trim is the Argo Drive 1.3 manual flex with a starting price of $15,000. The highest trim level, which happens to be the Argo HGT 1.8 automatic flex has a starting price of about $19,300.
FAQ
Is it worth buying the Fiat Argo?
If you desire an affordable, stylish, economical, practical, spacious, slightly advanced, and comfortable compact hatchback, the Fiat Argo is worth acquiring. But if you want a more spacious, powerful, advanced, and luxurious hatchback, look away.
What are the common problems with the Fiat Argo?
The Fiat Argo may be sporty, comfortable, safe, stylish, and practical, but it also comes with several issues that owners need to deal with. Some of the common problems with Fiat Argo are failing shock absorbers, suspension problems, electrical issues, dashboard problems, malfunctioning steering wheel, and poor brakes.
Is Fiat Argo a good daily driver?
It depends on your location. If you’re located near a Fiat shop or service center where spare parts are easy to find, then it is a great daily driver. But if you don’t have a Fiat shop in your location, then it will not be a good daily driver.
Aside from difficulty finding spare parts, Fiat Argo is an excellent daily driver. This car is very affordable, compact, spacious, fuel-efficient, and practical. As a result, it is a dream car for city dwellers because of the ease of driving and parking within the city.
How fast is the Fiat Argo?
The Fiat Argo is one of the best-performing Fiat hatchbacks on the market. This car has excellent speed as it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 8.8 seconds. Additionally, it comes with a top speed of 121 mph without a speed governor.
Note that this acceleration and speed are for the 2021 Fiat Argo HGT 1.8 Flex AT6, which is the highest trim level.
Is a used Fiat Argo a good car?
Yes, a used Fiat Argo is a nice car. This is because they have above-average reliability, meaning that buyers won’t have to worry about repairs most of the time. Additionally, used Fiat Argos are cheaper than new ones, allowing buyers to save some cash.
But like most used cars, ensure to buy a properly maintained Fiat Argo to avoid having many issues in the future.
Summary
The Fiat Argo is one of the finest entry-level hatchbacks on the market. Unlike most of its siblings in South America, it is more spacious but still affordable, comfortable, efficient, and fun to drive. Nonetheless, it also comes with various issues that interested buyers should be ready to handle.
Some of the issues that buyers should be ready to handle are electrical problems, suspension issues, dashboard problems, and braking problems. Overall, the Fiat Argo is a sleek and reliable car. It is also a perfect car for city driving as it is compact.
