Fiat Fullback
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for a pickup truck that combines Italian styling with proven reliability? The Fiat Fullback might be exactly what you need. This distinctive one-tonne pickup truck offers the practical benefits of a commercial vehicle wrapped in Fiat’s characteristic design flair. Built from 2016 to 2019, it represents a unique approach to the pickup market, targeting both business users and lifestyle buyers who want something different from the usual suspects.

What sets the Fullback apart is its foundation. Built on the proven Mitsubishi L200 platform and sharing its robust engineering, this truck benefits from years of development and real-world testing. The combination of Italian design touches with Mitsubishi’s mechanical expertise creates a pickup that stands out visually while delivering dependable performance. You get distinctive styling, a comfortable interior, and the confidence that comes from established technology.

The Fullback appeals to buyers who want pickup truck practicality without sacrificing refinement. Its car-like driving experience makes it surprisingly pleasant for daily use, while the one-tonne payload capacity handles serious work duties. Though production ended in 2019, the used market offers excellent value for those seeking a distinctive pickup. It proves that pickup trucks don’t have to be purely utilitarian, bringing a touch of Italian style to the commercial vehicle world.

Fiat Fullback Performance & Engine Options

The Fiat Fullback comes with a single, well-proven turbocharged diesel engine shared with the Mitsubishi L200. The 2.4-litre diesel produces either 154bhp or 181bhp depending on specification, providing adequate power for both commercial and leisure use. The lower-powered version offers a respectable 0-60mph time of around 11.5 seconds, while the more powerful variant improves this to approximately 10.2 seconds. This makes the Fullback competitive with rivals like the Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara.

Where the Fullback really shines is in its driving refinement. Unlike many pickup trucks, it feels more car-like on the road, with well-weighted steering and composed handling. The suspension strikes a good balance between load-carrying capability and passenger comfort. On motorways, it cruises quietly and smoothly, making longer journeys surprisingly comfortable. The six-speed manual gearbox is precise, though an automatic option was available for those preferring easier operation around town.

How Comfortable Is the Fiat Fullback?

Step inside the Fullback and you’ll find one of the better pickup truck interiors of its era. Fiat has clearly focused on making the cabin feel less commercial and more refined than many competitors. The dashboard features a clean, modern design with soft-touch materials in key areas and intuitive controls. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system includes DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone integration, keeping you connected on the move.

The front seats are supportive and comfortable, even on longer drives. There’s good adjustment range for drivers of different heights, and the driving position feels natural rather than truck-like. The crew cab configuration provides genuine space for rear passengers, with enough headroom and legroom for adults. Road and wind noise are well controlled, contributing to a refined driving experience. Standard equipment is generous, with air conditioning, electric windows, and multiple storage compartments throughout the cabin making daily use convenient and pleasant.

The Fiat Fullback succeeds in bringing a more refined, car-like approach to the pickup truck market. Its combination of proven Mitsubishi engineering with Fiat’s design flair creates a distinctive proposition that works well for both commercial and lifestyle users. The interior quality and driving refinement are genuine strengths, making it more pleasant to use daily than many traditional pickup trucks. The main limitation is its relatively short production run, which means limited choice in the used market. However, this also makes it somewhat exclusive, and the shared mechanical components with the L200 ensure parts and service support remain available. It’s an excellent choice for buyers who want pickup truck practicality without the typically agricultural driving experience. The Fullback proves that pickup trucks can be both practical and pleasant to drive, making it worthy of serious consideration for anyone needing genuine load-carrying capability.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Fiat Fullback Running Costs

As a diesel pickup truck, the Fullback delivers reasonable fuel economy for its size and capability. Expect to see real-world figures of around 32-35mpg in mixed driving, rising to nearly 40mpg on longer motorway runs. This puts it broadly in line with other pickup trucks in the class. Insurance costs are moderate, typically falling into groups that reflect its commercial vehicle status, which can actually work in your favour compared to equivalent SUVs.

The main consideration is the purchase price and depreciation. Since production ended in 2019, you’re looking exclusively at the used market. This actually works in buyers’ favour, as depreciation has already occurred, making the Fullback an attractive value proposition. Servicing costs are reasonable thanks to the shared Mitsubishi mechanical components, and parts availability remains good. For those looking at car finance options, the combination of reasonable running costs and strong residual values makes the Fullback an appealing choice for both business and personal use.

Is the Fiat Fullback Practical for Everyday Use?

For a pickup truck, the Fullback excels in practical matters. The load bed measures 1.52m long by 1.47m wide, providing ample space for building materials, sports equipment, or leisure gear. The one-tonne payload capacity handles serious work loads, while the 3.1-tonne towing capacity makes it suitable for boats, trailers, or caravans. What sets it apart from pure commercial vehicles is how well it manages family duties too.

The crew cab configuration provides genuine five-seat capability, making it practical for families who need both passenger and cargo space. Storage throughout the cabin is thoughtful, with plenty of spaces for phones, drinks, and personal items. The high driving position gives excellent visibility, particularly useful when manoeuvring with trailers or in tight spaces. Compared to other used Fiat cars, the Fullback represents a unique proposition, offering capabilities no other model in the range could match during its production run.

The Fiat Fullback stands out as a refined and distinctive pickup truck that successfully combines practical capability with car-like comfort. Its foundation on proven Mitsubishi L200 underpinnings provides reliability and capability, while Fiat’s design input creates a more appealing interior and exterior package. The strong diesel engine options and thoughtful equipment levels make it genuinely competitive in the pickup truck market.

Though production ended in 2019, the used market offers excellent opportunities for buyers seeking something different from the usual pickup truck choices. The combination of one-tonne payload capacity, genuine five-seat comfort, and refined driving experience makes it equally suitable for work and family use. The Fullback represents unique value in the pickup truck segment, offering capabilities no conventional car can match.