The Fiat Linea
Design and Style
Every time I look at the Linea, I can’t help recalling a one-off meeting with a designer from Fiat’s Centro Stile department. The references to beautiful women were plenty and, indeed, it takes an inspired man to craft a car like the Linea. In my opinion, it is the nicest looking of this bunch. Still, you cannot ignore the fact that it started life as a hatchback and the canted forward stance of the car belies this.
Fiats do not have the same build as other European cars and, in the case of the Linea, this is no different.
Interior and comfort
Step inside and the Linea carries the same flair to its cabin. The swooping dashboard appears inviting, 
but the finish is awful. Sharp edges to the plastic and uneven fits mar what is otherwise a well-thought-through design exercise.
Ergonomically, it is difficult to find a comfortable driving position. The steering adjusts for rake, but even in its lowest setting appears a little too high for comfort. Shorter drivers will be further hampered by this.
The rear seats are comfortable in themselves, but legroom is at a premium in the Linea. A small door area means your shoes tend to scuff the back of the front seats when you get in and out too. The Linea is the only car other than the Vento that has a-c vents for the rear seats. The boot, however, is massive, almost as deep as the SX4’s, but not as tall.
Performance and fuel-efficiency
The Linea gives away more than 200 cc in displacement to its rivals here. It is the slowest to 100 km/h and its substantial weight means it is hampered in the fuel-efficiency department too. But it has saved the blushes somewhat thanks to its shorter gearing, which means its mid-range drivability in the lower gears is quite good. However, the Linea runs high rpms while cruising; 100 km/h translates to about 4,000 rpm, which isn’t good on an open highway.
It handles quite well too and would actually be a better car to drive if it had more adjustment in its seating position.
Value
The Linea isn’t cheap. Yes, it comes loaded with ABS, airbags, a Blue & Me stereo, climate control and all the other toys that add to its feel-good factor. In that sense, you do enjoy a sense of occasion when you’re at the wheel of this car. However, the quality of the interior is a let-down at this price.
CAPTIONS:
1. Engine is underpowered, but short gearing makes up for it
2. Build, especially of the cabin, is disappointing
The Verdict
Car verdicts are a difficult thing; more and more you come to realise that buying a car is as much about the heart as it is about the head. In that sense, you cannot ignore the style and pizzazz of the Linea or the much talked-about service network of Maruti. However, all things considered, this shoot-out 
appears to be a two-horse race: the Ford Fiesta and the Volkswagen Vento.
The Fiesta is a good steer, loaded with features and good value at the price. The Vento, on the other hand, appears more grown-up and comes across as a better-engineered product. Nevertheless, you cannot ignore the fact that this Volkswagen is bereft of many features, notably ABS and airbags, which aren’t even a cost option. The Fiesta isn’t ‘new’ any longer and there have been some horror stories about the service available.
With the Vento, you get a car that looks and feels like a classy act; you know this is a car which will win you admiring glances every time you’re on the road. It feels absolutely solid too, and you get the feeling that this is a car that will age well, with none too many squeaks or rattles in the coming years. It’s a finely balanced outcome, but, at the end of the day, the VW just pips the Ford.
