Exterior very similar to regular Tipo SUV-style cladding Unique bumper protection plates front and rear revised front grille all-LED headlamps new "Fiat" badge raised suspension new wheel designs Design-wise, the Tipo Cross is basically a Tipo hatchback on stilts, but it benefits from the styling upgrades that Fiat rolled out for the entire lineup in 2020. The Tipo remains very familiar as far as looks go, but a handful of revised details set it apart from the previous model. Changes to the front fascia are exactly what you’d expect from a mid-cycle facelift. There are mildly revised headlamps and grille and a slightly remodeled bumper. Of course, with the Cross model being new, the bumper features some fresh, never-before-seen details on the Tipo. Specifically, the grille is slightly wider than before, with the lower area extending more toward the bottom of the headlamps. Because it’s wider, the grille also feels a tad narrower. The typical Fiat badge was replaced by large "Fiat" lettering, a new emblem that Fiat debuted on the latest-generation 500. The grille is flanked by the same old headlamps, but they’re now full LED units, so they feature a different lighting pattern. The bumper retains the old layout with a wide and thin vent in the center and fake outlets that house daytime running lights on the sides. However, all these elements have been redesigned on the Cross model and now include Ice Matte surrounds and extra cladding. You’ll also notice a protection plate instead of a splitter-like element at the bottom. The profile of the Tipo carries over unchanged, but the Cross model sports a few SUV-style additions. There’s black cladding around the wheel arches and the side skirts, as well as Ice Matte inserts into the latter. The mirror caps are also finished in matte grey and, in typical crossover fashion, this Tipo comes with roof fails. The Tipo Cross also rides on new-design wheels in a diamond finish. You can choose between 16- and 17-inch rollers. The Tipo Cross also rides higher than the regular Tipo, as the suspension has been increased by almost 40 mm (about inches). Around back, only the revised LED taillights set the facelifted Tipo apart from the outgoing model. The Cross package adds black cladding around the sides of the bumper and a protection plate in the center section. The revised Tipo range comes with two new colors: Ocean Blue and Paprika Orange. Both are available on the Cross version too, with the orange hue being pictured in these press photos. Interior mild visual updates optional display new Uconnect5 system wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto digital instrument cluster optional Mopar D-Fence package Fiat describes the Tipo's interior as "all new," but it's just a mild upgrade over the outgoing model when it comes to design. The dashboard and center stack look about the same. They’re somewhat modern and pack the usual features, like A/C vents, climate controls, and materials that don’t look bad, but aren’t too fancy either. The main change here is the availability of a larger infotainment display. While the standard unit remains identical to the pre-facelift model, you can order a much larger, touchscreen. It stretches across a larger portion of the upper dashboard and it’s devoid of any physical controls. The new infotainment display also provides access to FCA’s new Uconnect5 system, available with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You can also connect two smartphones simultaneously via Bluetooth, while rear passengers can now use USB outputs. Below the display we can see an updated climate control section with chrome and black inserts. Moving over to the driver’s compartment, there’s a revised steering wheel that’s a bit more compact and features an updated control layout. The difference isn’t big though. A more important update happened behind the steering wheel, were the analogue clocks in the instrument cluster were replaced by a seven-inch digital screen. So while it might not be fancier than the pre-facelift Tipo, the Tipo Cross feels like a modern vehicle. Just like the regular Tipo, the Tipo Cross is now available with the Mopar-made D-Fence package. The bundle includes a filter that stops impurities to enter cabin and reduces the formation of mold and bacteria by 98 percent. There’s also an air purifier that filters micro-particles such as pollen or bacteria and a UV lamp that helps sanitize all contact surfaces. With the coronavirus pandemic still going strong as of late 2020, the D-Fence package sounds like a smart option. Drivetrain new gasoline engine with 99 horsepower 148 pound-feet of torque same diesel engines range-topping diesel with 128 horses six-speed manual transmission optional six-speed DCT The Tipo Cross shares engines with the regular Tipo. The big news here is that the facelift adds a new, three-cylinder engine to the lineup. Part of the FireFly Turbo family, the three-banger cranks out 99 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. The replaces the old Fire four-cylinder, rated at 94 horses and 94 pound-feet. This means that the new mill, albeit smaller, generates an extra five horsepower and 46 pound-feet of torque. The wonders of turbocharging, right? The three-cylinder mates to the Tipo’s familiar six-speed manual transmission, but the unit has been recalibrates to handle the extra torque of the engine. On the diesel front you'll find the old MultiJet II units. The four-cylinder remains the base oil burner and generates the same 94 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of twist. The more powerful option is still the four-banger, but output increased by 10 horses, from 118 to 128 horsepower. Torque remains unchanged at 236 pound-feet. Available with either the six-speed manual or a six-speed DCT, this engine is the most powerful you can buy with the Tipo Cross as of 2020. Pre-facelift models were also offered with gasoline-LPG and gasoline-bioethanol mills, but Fiat had nothing to say about them yet. It remains to be seen whether they will continue to be offered, but these options could be restricted to the Italian market. 2021 Fiat Tipo Cross specificatins Engine three-cylinder four-cylinder diesel four-cylinder diesel Horsepower 99 HP 94 HP 128 HP Torque 140 Lb-FT 148 LB-FT 236 LB-FT How much does the 2021 Fiat Tipo Cross cost? Fiat has yet to release pricing information for the facelifted Tipo lineup, but expect the Cross model cost a bit more than the regular hatchback. The latter starts from €16,562 in pre-facelift guise, with the range-topping model going up to €20,948. The facelifted hatchback should cost around €17,000 before options, so the Tipo Cross could retail from around €19,000. The Tipo Cross won’t be sold in the United States. Is the Fiat Tipo Cross better than the Ford Focus Active? Volkswagen started this compact hatchback on stilts trend back in 2006 with the CrossGolf, but the German vehicles has since been discontinued. Nowadays, Ford joined the segment with the Focus Active, essentially a Focus hatchback with extra cladding and a slightly higher suspension. Based on the fourth-generation Focus launched in 2018, the Focus Active is currently available with two drivetrains. There’s the three-cylinder EcoBoost rated at 123 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque and the EcoBlue diesel with 118 horses and 221 pound-feet of twist. The Ford Focus Active starts from around €20,200 in most European markets, which makes it a bit more expensive than the Tipo Cross is expected to be. Read our full review of the Ford Focus Active Is the Fiat Tipo Cross better than the Kia XCeed? Kia also joined this small niche with its popular Ceed hatchback. Called the XCeed, it comes with similar extras, including black cladding, underbelly protection front and rear, and mildly revised features. Compared to the regular Ceed, the XCeed is three inches longer, almost an inch wider, and two inches taller. Engine options include the Kappa II three-cylinder rated at 118 horsepower and the Smartstream four-cylinder with 138 horses. Kia also offers a U-Line turbodiesel with 114 or 134 horsepower and up to 236 pound-feet of torque. A plug-in hybrid variant is also available. Pricing starts from around €20,850 in most European markets. Read our full story on the Kia XCeed. Conclusion The Fiat Tipo has been surprisingly popular since its introduction in 2015. And not only in Italy, where the brand is enjoying success with all of its models, but in Western and Eastern European markets too. Sure, with around 670,000 units sold as of 2020, the Tipo is by no means as popular as hatchbacks from Ford and Volkswagen, but sales were high enough for Fiat to consider a new addition to the lineup. With crossovers still selling like hot cakes all over the world, the Tipo Cross should become a valuable member of the Tipo family, especially in Easter and Southern European markets, as well as emerging markets in Asia. The Tipo Cross might not feature the fanciest interior, but it’s a good looking vehicle on the outside and Fiat engines are still reliable.