Ulysse not to be overlooked

Oct 20 2008 Peter Hayward

PEOPLE carriers seem to be coming out of the woodwork these days but one you might have overlooked is the Fiat Ulysse, which is built in the same factory as the Citroen Synergie and Peugeot 806/807.

It also uses the French diesel engines which are excellent, returning more than 35 miles per gallon with care.

I can still remember driving the 2.0-litre JTD turbodiesel and remarking how good its performance and economy were.

The fuel economy is amazing considering it is about as aerodynamic as a garden shed.

The ride is comfortable over all surfaces and the handling quite acceptable, but the driving position is not as car-like as in some others.

Between 2003 and 2006 other engines included a more powerful 2.2-litre diesel with 130bhp and a 2.0-litre petrol which had 136bhp.

This one really is, along with its siblings, every bit as good as the Ford Galaxy or Renault Espace.

Interior

The Ulysse has seven individual seats and the front pair swivel to face the rear. Each of the five seats in the back can be fairly easily unhooked but their weight makes this a hefty task.

Equipment includes everything most families would want.

FAST FACTS

Fiat Ulysse

Price : Pay about £5,400 for an '03 03-reg Dynamic, £7,000 for an '04 04-reg Eleganza auto or £8,500 for an 05 05-reg Prestige auto

Mechanical : 109bhp, 1,997cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5spd manual gearbox

Max speed : 108mph

0-62mph : 13 secs

Combined mpg : 40

Insurance group : 10

Marks : 10/10

Main rival : Ford Galaxy