Short test: Fiat Freemont 2.0 Multijet 16v 170 AWD Lounge
Fremont was formerly called Dodge Journey. So he's American, isn't he? Well, that's not entirely true either. It also has some Japanese blood and German influence, and it is associated with some French. Embarrassed?
Here's how it works: Freemont used to be called the Dodge Journey in Europe (of course, it was sold because Fiat was owned by Chrysler). And Journey was built on a Chrysler platform called JC, which has its roots in the collaboration between Mitsubishi and Chrysler, from which the Mitsubishi GS platform also arose. Mitsubishi not only uses this for its Outlander and ASX, but also shares it with some other manufacturers such as the PSA Group, which means Freemont is also linked to Citroën C-Crosser, C4 Aircross and Peugeot 4008.
What about German influence? You probably still remember that the Chrysler was once owned by Daimler (according to the local Mercedes)? Well, Mercedes only has one steering wheel, just like the Chryslers. It's not annoying, but it takes some getting used to.
And when it comes to things that require habituation or even anxiety, three more stand out. The first is a large LCD touch screen that allows you to control most of the car's functions. No, there is nothing wrong with usability, for example, the system is so friendly that in the cold, immediately after starting the car, it prompts you to turn on the seat heating first. Alarm graphics on the screen. If you use the navigation provided by Garmin, you'll be able to admire the screen's capabilities in all their glory. The fonts are selected, the design is thoughtful and nice. Then switch to the radio (Fiat) screen. The fonts are ugly, as if someone picked them up from the street in a few seconds, there is no alignment, the text is pressed into the edges of the spaces allotted to it. Colors? Well, yes, red and black were indeed used. It's a pity, because the end result could be much better.
And another annoyance? There were no daytime running lights in the Freemont test. It had automatic headlights (when it gets dark outside or when the wipers are working), but there were no daytime running lights. This is a mistake Fiat shouldn't have made, but we quickly resolved the problem (for our purposes) by taping a small black tape on the dashboard ambient light sensor. And then the light was always on.
Third? Freemont does not have a louver over the trunk. It has such a tinted rear windows that it is almost invisible, but it is almost lacking.
Those few little things (including the fact that the fuel cap can only be opened with the key, which requires the smart key to be practically torn off) ruined the otherwise good impression the Freemont would have left. It sits well, there is a lot of space and the second row of seats is really comfortable. The third is, of course, as expected, more emergency than the first two, but this is far from just a Freemont feature - it is a common thing in this class.
Motor? The two-liter JTD performed well. It's not too loud, it's smooth enough, it also loves to spin, and considering what kind of car it has to drive, it's not greedy either. The standard consumption of 7,7 liters and a test of just under nine liters may not seem like very good numbers at first glance, but in evaluating this, we must not forget that the Freemont not only has a powerful engine, a lot of space and is not only lightweight, but also four-wheel drive and six-speed automatic transmission.
The first (and this is good) is almost invisible, the second attracts attention by the fact that it sometimes catches the right gear, but especially with too short first three gears (especially since it does not block at least the torque converter) and is ugly. (and loud) jerks when you press the throttle after a stronger acceleration. Even otherwise, his behavior is very American, which means that he tries (as I said, not always successfully) to be, above all, polite and kind. If this degrades performance slightly or slightly increases consumption, that is the price of the comfort provided by the automation. Sure, it could have seven, eight gears and be the latest incarnation of German powertrain technology, but then such a Freemont wouldn't be worth (with an official discount) a good 33k for a car with the best standard equipment list. including navigation, Alpine audio system, heated leather seats, three-zone air conditioning, reversing camera, smart key ...
Yes, Fremont is a mongrel, and also causes mixed emotions.
Text by Dušan Lukič, photo by Sasha Kapetanović
Fiat Freemont 2.0 Multijet 16v 170 AWD Lounge
Basic data
| Sales: | Avto Triglav doo |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 25.950 € |
| Test model cost: | 35.890 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 125kW (170 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 12,2 with |
| Maximum speed: | 183 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 7,7l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | cylindrical - 4-stroke - in-line - turbodiesel - displacement 1.956 cm3 - maximum power 125 kW (170 hp) at 4.000 rpm - maximum torque 350 Nm at 1.750 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | the engine drives all four wheels - 6-speed automatic transmission - tires 225/55 R 19 H (Pirelli Scorpion Winter). |
| Capacity: | 183 km/h top speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration in 11,1 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 9,6/6,0/7,3 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 194 g/km. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 2.119 kg - permissible gross weight: no data available. |
| External dimensions: | length 4.910 mm – width 1.878 mm – height 1.751 mm – wheelbase 2.890 mm – trunk 167–1.461 80 l – fuel tank XNUMX l. |
evaluation
It is clear to Fremont that there is no European choice. If you can ignore the listed disadvantages, it really is (depending on what it offers and standard equipment), a bargain.
We praise and reproach
open space
driving performance
engine
no daytime running lights
Transmission
there is no roller blind above the trunk
