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Fiat Equipped the Strada 2025 with the 1.0 Turbo Engine of 130 hp to Meet an Old Demand from Consumers, but the Best-Selling Pickup in Brazil Now Faces New Price and Safety Dilemmas.
The Fiat Strada, an undisputed sales leader in the Brazilian market for consecutive years, has entered a new era. In the 2025 lineup, the best-selling pickup in Brazil received the long-awaited 1.0 turbo engine in its top versions, Ultra and Ranch, finally addressing the main criticism that haunted it: the reputation of being “lame.”
With agile performance, the pickup has finally silenced critics. However, this new power has brought a new dilemma: to have the stronger engine, the consumer now has to deal with a price that puts it on a collision course with more modern rivals and, mainly, with a safety structure that hasn’t evolved at the same speed as the engine.
The 1.0 Turbo Engine of 130 hp That Changed the Game
The heart of the new Strada Ultra is the T200 Turbo Flex engine. This 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder, direct injection engine is the same one that successfully powers the Pulse and Fastback SUVs. Fiat has finally responded to consumer requests, who had criticized the performance of the old Fire and Firefly engines for years.
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The numbers confirm the transformation:
- Power: 130 hp with ethanol and 125 hp with gasoline.
- Torque: 20.4 kgf.m, one of the biggest attractions, available at just 1,750 rpm.
The new mechanical set, managed by a CVT that simulates 7 gears, has taken the pickup to a new level. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds not only buries the nickname “lame,” but also makes it one of the fastest pickups in its segment.
Inside the Strada Ultra: Technology and Lifestyle Pickup Design
Fiat did not only change the engine. The design of the Ultra version was designed to give the best-selling pickup in Brazil a more sophisticated and “lifestyle” look, bringing it closer to its larger sibling, the Toro. It features exclusive details such as a red trim on the grille, full LED headlights, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the driving position is good and the seats are comfortable. Technology includes a 7-inch Uconnect multimedia center with wireless connectivity and wireless phone charging. However, the weaknesses of the original project persist: the space in the back seat remains cramped for adults and the absence of cruise control in a top version is a notable flaw.
The Direct Confrontation with the Chevrolet Montana
With the new engine and price, the Strada Ultra now has a direct rival: the Chevrolet Montana. The battle between the two pickups is a duel of philosophies.
Performance: the Strada is quicker in acceleration (9.5 s vs. 10.1 s of the Montana), thanks to a better power-to-weight ratio.
Space and Comfort: the Montana has the advantage of being larger, offering much more space and comfort for backseat passengers.
Load Capacity: the Strada maintains its work-oriented design, with a capacity of 650 kg, against 600 kg of the Montana.
Safety: the Montana comes with 6 airbags as standard across all versions, while the Strada offers only 4.
The Low Score in Latin NCAP and the High Price
Here lies the most controversial point of the new Strada: safety. The heavy investment to give a top engine to the pickup has not been accompanied by an evolution in its structure. Evaluated by Latin NCAP in 2022, the pickup received a score of only one star.
In addition to the low score, the Ultra version, which has a list price around R$ 145,000, does not offer any advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as autonomous emergency braking, which is becoming common in vehicles in this price range. This paradox puts the consumer in a difficult position: to pay a premium price for a pickup with top-notch performance but with limited occupant protection.
Is the Best-Selling Pickup in Brazil with a Turbo Engine Worth It?
The Fiat Strada Ultra 2025 is undoubtedly a transformed pickup. The new T200 engine solved its biggest problem and made it a much more enjoyable vehicle to drive.
The purchasing decision, however, has become a matter of priorities. The Strada Ultra is the ideal choice for those seeking maximum performance and load capacity and are willing to accept limited rear space and an outdated safety standard. However, for those prioritizing family comfort and safety, the Chevrolet Montana proves to be a more balanced option. The best-selling pickup in Brazil is now fast, but that speed comes with a price and trade-offs that the consumer needs to weigh.
Tô fora de 3 cilindros
Vou esperar o dia que a Fiat resolver produzir a Strada 4×4.
É simples, só colocar o mesmo sistema da Toro, do Renegade… Queria saber porquê não fazem…
Esse repórter não entrou em nenhuma das duas, de onde tirou que o espaço no banco traseiro da Montana e maior que a. Strada, na Montana , não senta um adulto de porte médio, o espaço e horrível, já na Strada nem se compara