As pick-ups go, the Fiat Fullback drives and tows reasonably well. But don’t expect this commercial vehicle to drive with the polish of a really good conventional SUV.

Performance is steady. The Fiat took 13.6 seconds to go from 30-60mph. Once up to speed the Fullback is reasonably stable, but there’s noticeable movement when slowing down from high speeds.

The stopping distance of 12.5 metres from 30mph is a lot longer than the best heavyweight tow cars, but can be excused to some extent for being one of the few cars tested on in damp conditions.

In the lane-change test the Fiat leaned heavily and was pushed around by the caravan. We thought it prudent to end the test after the second of three runs at increasing speeds.

On the plus side, hill starts are very easy, and switching the car from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive gives good traction on a slippery surface.

The Fullback’s strong practicality score is founded on the huge load bay – whatever you want to take with you when you go touring, it should fit in the Fiat.

If you puncture with the load bay full of luggage, you won’t have to unload as the spare wheel is stored under the vehicle.

Compared with its pick-up rivals, the Fullback is well equipped and reasonably priced. The warranty lasts for three years and 120,000 miles. However, it’s worth noting that the Mitsubishi L200 (on which the Fiat is based) has a five-year warranty.

2019
Category Winners
2019 Up to 1400kg

Škoda Octavia

Hatch 1.5 TSI 150PS SE L DSG

2019 1400-1549kg

Seat Ateca

2.0 TSI 190PS FR DSG

2019 1550-1699kg

Volkswagen Arteon

2.0 TDI 150PS Elegance DSG

2019 1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2019 1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 SDV6 HSE

2019 Best Budget 4x4

Dacia Duster

1.5 dCi Ambiance 4x4

2019 Best Plug-In Hybrid

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

P400e HSE Dynamic

2019 Best Ultralight Tow Car

Seat Arona

1.0 TSI 115 FR

2019 Fuel Economy Award

Ford Focus Estate

1.5 EcoBlue 120PS Titanium X

Previous Winners
2018
1700-1899kg

BMW 520d

Touring xDrive M Sport

2017
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery

3.0 Td6 HSE*

2016
1400-1549kg

Skoda Superb Hatch

2.0 TDI 150PS SE Business

2015
1400-1549kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI BMT 150PS SE Business DSG

2014
1400-1549kg

Nissan Qashqai

1.6 dCi (130PS) Stop/Start System Acenta Premium

2013
Up to 1424kg

Skoda Octavia

2.0 TDI CR 150PS Elegance

2012
1725–1899kg

Jaguar XF

2.2D Premium Luxury

2011
1425-1574kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI 170 Bluemotion Sport

2010
1900kg+

Land Rover Discovery 4

3.0 TDV6 XS

2009
1900kg+

Volvo XC60

D5 SE Geartronic

2008
1575-1724kg

Ford Mondeo Estate

2.0 TDCi Titanium auto

2007
1575-1724kg

Volkswagen Passat Estate

2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion

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