It hasn't even arrived at dealerships yet, but the upcoming Fiat Grizzly is already generating a lot of buzz. Unveiled to the public a few weeks ago at the Turin Motor Show and set to make another appearance at an auto show in the coming days, the large SUV from Fiat It no longer has much to hide. And initial reactions show that its design—especially the rear—is certainly making an impression.
Fiat, however, aims to make a big splash with this new model. The Fiat Grizzly is set to become one of the cornerstones of the Italian automaker’s new lineup, with a particularly aggressive promise: a starting price of around 20,000 euros. On paper, that’s enough to « shock the market ». But for now, what shocks some observers isn't really the price.".
The fullback is the target of all the criticism
We asked our readers for their opinions on X as well as on our French, Italian, and German Facebook pages. The question sparked a flood of responses, with over 1,000 replies received! One detail kept coming up again and again: the rear end of the Fiat Grizzly.
With its very upright, boxy design, small rear window, and—above all—taillights composed of a multitude of small light elements, it bears little resemblance to anything Fiat has offered so far. Some even see it as an unintentional nod to the past. In Germany, one commentator noted that the taillights are «somewhat reminiscent of the Fiat Brava from the 1990s.» Several French readers share this observation: one specifically mentions the older Fiats from the 1990s and 2000s, while another notes that «the taillights are an original idea,» but that the small rear window makes the entire rear end look particularly bulky.
Others are much less kind. «How do you say »ugly« in Italian?» one reader asks sarcastically. Another sums up the rear end in two words: «Lousy butt.» There’s also talk of a “heavy and bulky” rear end, whose glowing pixels fail to lighten the overall look.
«A 3008 with a Fiat logo»? Not really.
Another comparison comes up with surprising regularity: Peugeot. «A 3008, basically…,» «Peugeot 5008?», «a Dacia Duster rebranded as a Fiat,» or even «very similar in style to the Opel Grandland»: everyone seems to recognize a different SUV in the Grizzly. On Facebook, some call it a 3008 in disguise, others a rebadged C5 Aircross, or a mix of several Stellantis models. In Italy, comparisons to the 3008 also come up regularly, to the point that some readers simply describe it as a Peugeot with “Fiat” written on it.
However, technically speaking, the Grizzly is not a rebadged Peugeot 3008. The 3008 is based on the STLA Medium platform, while the future Fiat uses the STLA Smart architecture, which is similar to that of the Fiat Grande Panda, but also the Citroën C3 and Opel Frontera. So there is indeed an industrial connection within Stellantis, but not the one many people imagine.
What if Fiat had actually succeeded in its gamble?
Amid criticism that is at times particularly scathing, other voices nevertheless defend Fiat’s decision. «Intriguing,» writes one reader. Another notes that today’s cars sometimes lack boldness and concludes: «It’s different, so why not?» «At least these Fiats will have personality!» emphasizes a French reader, while another points out that tastes remain subjective and believes that customers will ultimately decide for themselves. In Italy, some go even further: «To me, it’s very beautiful, and it doesn’t look like any other car.».
Perhaps that is ultimately where the Fiat Grizzly’s first success lies. In a market where SUVs are regularly criticized for all looking the same, the new Fiat is already sparking heated discussions several months before it hits the roads. And when you’re trying to sell an SUV for around 20,000 euros with the ambition to «shock the market,» leaving no one indifferent might not be the worst way to start.
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Not very attractive, to put it mildly. The fastback version is a step away from the C3 Aircrotte and Frontera—at least that’s something.
Citroën already offers a fastback version, but only in South America…
I think the rear end is very unique and stylish for a mass-market car, with its small taillights.
I'm having a hard time seeing the connection with the back of the Peugeot 3008!
I think it's a real problem that the new Fiats are getting harder and harder to see out of. My Grande Panda already has C-pillars that are way too wide—I can only imagine what it'll be like in the Grizzly. There would have been plenty of room for a third side window. It's a shame that the people in charge don't realize that.
I really like the Fastback, but it’s even harder to see out of than my ’92 Alfa 33. Too bad!
Refreshingly new and original. In a market full of run-of-the-mill products, it takes some getting used to, but that’s because making copies is safe—and it makes designers lazy.
Fiat is back with cars that are making headlines.
I like it—it’s right on trend right now—and before I judge, I need to see it in person, on the road, with a license plate, and from a normal viewing height (many photos are taken right at road level, which makes the rear look bulkier). I love the big Panda—especially in traffic; it really stands out—but some people compare it to a tractor. Some people just enjoy criticizing things without being objective.
It's been said before, but if you look closely, you can clearly see the silhouette of the C3 AC and Frontera with that more massive rear end. I don't see the connection to the 3008—it's more like the C5 AC, then. .
And at 20,000 euros, that's exactly the price of the entry-level C3AC and Frontera models. .
The car does, in fact, feature the C3 Aircross’s design elements, which a keen eye will easily recognize. But then again, we’ll give it credit for not being a mere copy of the Citroën, unlike the Opel.
It’s actually the fastback design that’s modeled after a Citroën of this size—but it’s only sold in South America. Too bad—I would have been tempted by the Citroën!
This is the Citroën Basalt
The Citroën Basalt? They're both slightly different (the Citroën is «rounder» than the Fiat).
For many people, the fact that this is a model from the STELLANTIS group automatically makes it a Peugeot clone!
You don't hear many people calling an AUDI or a SKODA a «clone» of a WOLKWAGEN model!
As for the design, the taillights are very unique; the «vertical» version is obviously a bit jarring, but I think the «fastback» version is cool.
Except that, aside from niche models, an Audi or a Skoda doesn't look like a Volkswagen.
I know that for some people, it’s hard to admit that a Fiat is now just a Peugeot with an Italian logo. So looking for the slightest difference to convince yourself otherwise is counterproductive.
Except that Peugeot doesn't use the STLA Smart platform—so, as it turns out, the Grizzlys aren't Peugeots!
I think it's a striking and original-looking car... At any rate, it's not just another run-of-the-mill car. Fiat is back to building original cars. It's generally difficult for the general public to judge something that's a bit out of the ordinary on its own merits. So it'll take some getting used to!!!
What is the Fiat Style?
Except for the 500 look… Which has been going around in circles for 20 years!
The Stilo, with its German-style design—seriously, is that a Fiat?
Given that FCA hasn't introduced any new models (aside from the 500), this design has a very modern Fiat feel to it… history will remember this!
… And then Stellantis is becoming more and more like Stellantis—and Italian, at that… Peugeot’s DNA is steadily fading away!
We need to embrace change… Obviously, under FCA, things stayed the same for decades.
«What Is the Fiat Style?»
Original cars? And limiting the discussion to just the 500 and Stilo is misleading. What about the Grande Punto? Doesn’t the Pandina have an original look compared to its competitors? Doesn’t the 500X stand out compared to SUVs that look like Norman farmhouses? And I’m limiting myself to just the «FCA» models, because before that, there were even more original ones.
By the way, Peugeot has drawn heavily on Volkswagen and Audi for its cars. So is there no such thing as a "Peugeot style"?
It’s true that Fiat produced some nice cars 30 years ago (Punto 1, Bravo 1…). The Pandina, on the other hand, is just a Panda 2 from 20 years ago that’s been given yet another facelift. But to each his own…
OK @zafira500
You're right, but you're essentially telling us that the "Fiat style" hasn't existed for at least 20 years.
Same goes for @Hans… You're right, too… But damn, that sure doesn't make us any younger!
And what a bummer it's been since the 2010s—just ask Gen Z.
«Peugeot drew heavily on Volkswagen/Audi»
Well, Peugeots are rarely considered ordinary… That’s telling.
But I remember that in the 1980s, the 505 was considered Peugeot's BMW.
Even though they are based on the same platform—the Fiat Mini—the Panda 3 is a new model compared to the Panda 2.
«The third-generation Panda is an updated version of the second-generation model.»
The Fiat Grizzly is a big Fiat Panda. The design isn't half bad, even if you don't have to like it.
The Fastback is not based on the 3008, but rather on the Citroën Basalt sold in Brazil and India.
That Grizzly really has a great look to it.
You can find a video of his presentation on YouTube
at the Kenitra plant (Morocco), where it is manufactured.
The interior is less original than the exterior.
This is finally going to be a huge breath of fresh air for Fiat!
Either way, it's cliché, it's no good, it's original—well, that's no good either 😁
I really like the blue Grizzly—it feels right to me… Fiat seems to be on a roll right now; let's hope it lasts 🤞
It's over for the Ex-FCA group!
When you see the crap that's coming out: the Junior, that Fiat Grizzly, the Lancia Gamma…
I'm going to keep the Giulia Veloce for as long as possible.
I thought it was because of French management that such ugly models could be released, but it turns out the Italians aren't far behind.
Which design studios are behind all these cars—the Panda, Junior, Grizzly, and so on? Certainly not Pininfarina or Bertone, the designers of the sublime 164 and the beautiful Grande Punto—that’s just not possible!