Fiat Avventura sits much higher than other crossover hatchbacks

The word 'Avventura' is Italian for 'Adventure'. Couple the English word with 'Fiat' and it could remind you of its namesake from a decade ago. In recent times though, the Avventura name became popular with the jazzy orange crossover concept that Fiat showed at the 2014 Auto Expo in New Delhi. Guess what, the Avventura has made it to production and surprisingly, it looks almost as radical as its conceptual avatar!

The vehicle still follows the same path as the previous Adventure - a rugged bodywork and updated suspension setup that enables it to be better at tackling off-road and broken road surfaces than the hatchback it is based on. It isn't a hardcore off-roader though and while the previous Adventure had station wagon proportions, the Avventura is essentially a heftier Punto. It employs the Punto Evo's base design, so you have the new swept-back headlights with the extended brow. These don't have projector lights like the concept though. The tail lights and the rear bumper-mounted fog and stop lamps are the same as the hatchback too.

But what gives the Avventura its distinction is the spare wheel on the tailgate. It isn't an eyesore, but you might take some time to digest the look of a Punto with a backpack. It's hinged over the rear bumper and operates independently of the boot lid. It opens outwards and reminds me of the first generation Mercedes-Benz M-class. It adds an extra step when you want to access the boot and is going to confuse the personnel at the hotel security check posts for sure. The spare wheel cover has the Avventura monogram and the details look good, but the red reflector tape? It looks as shoddy as the reflective tapes on the back of commercial vehicles!

On the inside are the familiar Punto interiors but there is enough in here too to give the Avventura its own stand. The most prominent are the compass and clinometers on the centre console. The cluster sits above the audio system and replaces what otherwise is a small storage compartment in the Punto Evo. The clinometers display the roll and pitch and they work. Interestingly, they do shows the angle of the body roll and there is a fair bit of it. The dashboard and the door trim have leather textured inlays, which add to the feel good factor of the already well-appointed cabin.

Unlike the Cross Polo, the Avventura isn't just a hatchback with a cosmetic makeover. There are changes to the mechanicals too. The most important is the stiffer suspension setup when compared to the Punto Evo. It has not only helped Fiat achieve a class-leading ground clearance of 205mm, but has also made sure that the Avventura maintains its composure through corners despite the higher ride height. The car doesn't have a bouncy ride either. Ride quality and confidence inspiring dynamics have always been the Punto's forte and it doesn't change with the Avventura. All variants of the Avventura will ship with 16-inch alloys, which means all of them will get the grippier 205-section rubber. Fiat also assures us that the entire cosmetic, convenience and mechanical features that are unique to the Avventura, will be standard across the range, which is a very good move.

Based on the Punto, it has a regular car-like driving height and not a commanding position like you would have in the EcoSport or the likes. Nevertheless, the large windshield does impart better visibility.