For a brief period in the twenty-teens, it seemed like every car manufacturer needed a pick-up in their range. We got the Mercedes-Benz X-Class for a time, and also the Fiat Fullback - a double-cab pick-up based heavily on the much better-known Mitsubishi L200. It ran between 2016 and 2019 and is a rare sight today, but gives pickup buyers one more option than they might otherwise have had.
As essentially an L200, it had many of that model’s positives and negatives, with strong 2.4-litre diesel engines and a 3.1-tonne towing capacity in the merit column, and slightly less refinement and comfort than some competitor models as the tradeoff.
The L200 is an obvious alternative, but other popular models include the Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Amarok, and Ford Ranger - each with varying levels of ability, equipment, and on and off-road manners.
You’d be forgiven for overlooking the Fiat Fullback entirely if you’re in the market for a used pick-up, since they’re much less common than some of their longer-running rivals. A short production run means they don’t quite have the brand recognition of some trucks, and Fiat possibly isn’t the first car company you think of when it comes to rugged pickups.
Being based on the Mitsubishi L200 though, very much one of those long-running experts in the pick-up market, there’s no real reason not to go for the Fiat, since structurally and mechanically it’s largely identical. You get a proper four-wheel drive system and a locking differential on some models, a big bed with a one-tonne payload, and a 3.1-tonne braked towing rating too (not as high as some, but not bad).
Some Fiat Fullback models were more expensive than the equivalent Mitsubishi when new, but that should be less of an issue on the used market, and the Fullback offered good levels of both equipment and safety kit - useful features like Trailer Stability Assist were standard.
Like many pick-ups, the Fullback’s ride quality can be a bit harsh and bouncy without some weight taking up the slack, but by pick-up standards the handling is more than acceptable, and off-road it makes light work of tough conditions. It’s reasonably refined at a cruise too, and Fiat’s claim of 40mpg combined economy promises relatively low fuel costs if you have a light enough right foot.
Some rivals are even better on the road however, and these might be enough to tempt you away from a used Fullback. One of the most user-friendly pick-ups is the Volkswagen Amarok, which doesn’t feel all that different from some of VW’s regular SUVs to drive, while the Ford Ranger is another pick-up you’ll see plenty of on the road. Both can handle off-roading too, while the Toyota Hilux is also known for being a strong all-rounder, with an enviable reliability record. Nissan’s Navara and the Mercedes-Benz X-Class are also worth a look.
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Fiat refined the Fullback’s range before it went off sale, leaving only the more powerful 180PS variant of the 2.4-litre engine, and the rufty-tufty Cross trim. So if you’re looking at a later Fullback, that’ll be your only choice - though in terms of styling and equipment, it’s probably the one we’d go for anyway.
The automatic is worth looking at too, because while it’s not the smoothest of its type, you do get a performance benefit, and it makes the truck feel slightly less agricultural to drive. If you’re looking at an older Fullback, then LX trim is the one to have, thanks to its higher levels of equipment than the basic SX.
Fiat Fullback 2.4 Diesel 150: Both Fiat Fullback engines were based on a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel design, the lower powered variant making 150PS. Fiat didn’t claim a 0-62mph time but did quote a top speed of 105mph, and 40.9mpg on the old NEDC testing cycle.
Fiat Fullback 2.4 Diesel 180: With 180PS the Fullback had a higher top speed of 111mph, a 0-62mph time of 11.5 seconds, and only marginally lower economy, at 39.8mpg with the manual gearbox. This dropped slightly to 37.7mpg with the optional automatic, while the 0-62mph time improved to 9.8 seconds.
The Fiat Fullback had a small range of trim levels available during its run, and we’ve covered the main models below. Earlier on it had simple SX and LX trims while before the model disappeared in 2018, Fiat offered it in Cross specification - Fiat’s branding for models with an off-road appearance, be it on a tiny Panda or proper pick-up like the Fullback.
The Fiat Fullback SX was the basic Fullback trim level, but still featured keyless entry, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, climate control, a leather steering wheel, and front foglights - though audio was via a simple radio/CD/MP3 system with Bluetooth, with no touchscreen.
The Fiat Fullback LX added that touchscreen to the kit list, with a 6.1-inch infotainment display (7 inches on models with the automatic transmission). Keyless go joined keyless entry, it got larger 17-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, bi-xenon headlights, 8-way electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, and leather trim with heated front seats.
The Fiat Fullback Cross trim was offered later in the Fullback’s run and like other Fiat Cross models, had a more off-road oriented look, with black wheel arch extensions and a black ‘sport bar’ behind the cab. A 7-inch touchscreen was standard, as was a rear differential lock, and black 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Fiat Fullback’s dimensions are:
Length: 5225-5305mm
Width: 1785-1815mm (without mirrors)
Height: 1775-1780mm
Ground clearance: 200-205mm
The Fiat Fullback’s load capacity is:
1045kg payload
3100kg braked towing weight
Cargo bed 1520mm (length) by 1470mm (width)
Pick-up trucks are classed as commercial vehicles and as such, they’re subject to the same VED or ‘road tax’ as most vans. This currently means a flat rate of £320 a year, as applied to all vehicles with a gross vehicle weight under 3500kg, for the 2023/2024 tax year.
You may find pick-up truck insurance relatively expensive, and for the Fiat Fullback Cross offered before the model went off sale, manual versions can be found in group 42 in the 1-50 scale, and group 43 for the automatic. This is much more than a regular SUV with similar performance, though not unusual for a pickup - Volkswagen Amaroks sold around the same time as the Fullback are between groups 41 and 46.