Lancia Ypsilon III

I've been driving a Ypsilon MHEV 115 in the HF Line trim for a few weeks now.

The HF trim is really pleasing to the eye, especially the front bumper, which is more striking and better designed than the base model’s. The interior looks great and features a fairly original, slightly futuristic design. I also appreciate the quality of the sound insulation for a city car.

The engine isn't exactly sporty, but it gets the job done and delivers good performance—more than enough, even on the highway. So far, my combined fuel economy has been between 5.5 and 6.5 per 100.

I enjoy experiencing the "DNA" effects again in Sport mode, which makes the steering stiffer. The Ypsilon handles really well, with good steering feedback and agility. It almost feels like driving a Giulietta.

For now, I'm satisfied with this car, which is both well-rounded and unique in its design.

After driving the new Lancia Ypsilon Turbo 100 for several hundred kilometers, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I was a bit skeptical at first, especially after driving the electric and hybrid versions, but this gasoline-powered version with a manual transmission offers something different and, in my opinion, more authentic.

The 1.2-liter turbocharged engine with 100 ch more than gets the job done. With only 1,200 kg to move, the car is lively, responsive, and powerful enough for everyday use. It’s obviously not a sports car, but the 205 Nm of torque is put to good use, and acceleration is enjoyable. The 6-speed manual transmission is a real success: gear changes are precise, the shifter feels natural in the hand, and it restores a certain driving pleasure that had been lost with the automatic versions.

What I liked most was the handling. The car takes corners flat, has minimal body roll, and offers a more engaging driving experience than I expected. The steering lacks a bit of precision around the center position, but it remains pleasant and sufficiently direct. It feels more like a small, dynamic sedan than a high-riding SUV.

The sound insulation is also quite good. You can hear the tires a bit on certain road surfaces, but the overall ride comfort is excellent. The suspension effectively absorbs bumps while maintaining a certain firmness that contributes to the car’s dynamic handling.

Inside, the atmosphere is elegant and modern. The two 10-inch screens are a pleasure to use, and the driving position will suit even taller drivers. I’m nearly 1.90 m tall, and I was able to get comfortable easily. The 309-liter trunk is adequate for a versatile city car.

In terms of fuel economy, I recorded about 6.8 l/100 km in mixed driving conditions, including city driving and a few more spirited stretches. That’s a perfectly reasonable figure for a gasoline-powered car in this class.

My main regret is that certain features are shared with other Stellantis models. In particular, it has the same gearshift knob as several other models in the group. It doesn't get in the way when driving, but it does take away a bit of the personality from a car that's specifically trying to stand out.

All in all, this Lancia Ypsilon Turbo 100 is probably the most well-rounded model in the lineup. More affordable, lighter, fun to drive, and equipped with a true manual transmission, it restores some character to this little Italian car. For those who don’t want to switch to electric, it’s a particularly appealing alternative.

I've had the new electric Lancia Ypsilon for only two weeks, and unfortunately, my experience so far has been somewhat mixed.

From day one, I started getting a recurring error message about the drivetrain. The car keeps running, but seeing this kind of warning on a brand-new vehicle isn't exactly reassuring.

The second issue concerns the air conditioning. During a heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 35°C, the system struggles to cool the cabin properly. Even when the air conditioning is set to the lowest setting, the air coming out is often close to the outside temperature. For a modern electric car equipped with a heat pump, this is quite disappointing.

I also noticed some strange behavior one evening: while the car was parked and turned off, it started making a very loud noise—so loud that it alarmed the neighbors. I had to move it away from the house before the noise stopped on its own a few minutes later.

According to several owners, some of these issues appear to be related to the vehicle's software. Several people have told me they experienced similar issues with traction, fast charging, or the air conditioning, which were resolved after an update at the dealership. The problem is that repair times can be quite long, and some users were left without a replacement vehicle for several days.

Despite these teething problems, I appreciate the car's design, its overall comfort, and how enjoyable it is to drive in the city. But after owning it for only 15 days, I was expecting a more stress-free experience.

I hope that future updates will finally fix these issues, because this new Ypsilon really does have a lot of potential.