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Photo of a Fiat Croma

Fiat Croma

1988 Turbo D i.d.: the Croma put direct-injection diesel into passenger cars first.1

Researched November 2, 2026 from 27 sources

Also called

  • Comfort WagonFiat's label for the second generation's blend of wagon and MPV design.1
  • Fiat LargeInformal prelaunch name for the second generation, before Fiat revived the Croma badge.2
  • Living WagonFiat's advertising label from 2009, after it stopped using Comfort Wagon.2

At a glance

0100200
75–200 hpPower
01020
7.8–16.5 s0–100 km/h
0125250
165–216 km/hTop speed
0200400
128–400 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,095–1,650 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1578

Engine
Gen 1: 1.6–2.5 L gas/diesel; Gen 2: 1.8/2.2 gas, 1.9 I4/2.4 I5 Multijet1
Layout
Front engine, front-wheel drive1
Gearbox
Gen 1: 5-speed manual, 3/4 auto; Gen 2: 5/6 manual or auto; 2.4: 6-speed auto25
Built at
Gen 1: Mirafiori, Turin, Italy; Gen 2: Cassino, Italy1
Units built
Gen 1: about 438,000; Gen 2: 133,66824

The story

Fiat replaced the Argenta with the front-drive Croma in 1985. Type Four began with Lancia and Saab in 1978; Fiat and Alfa Romeo joined later. The 2005 revival used GM Epsilon for a tall Comfort Wagon blending wagon and MPV ideas.13

1985: Argenta out, front-wheel drive in19851988: Turbo D i.d. pioneers direct injection19881991: Variable vanes meet a new nose19911993: 2.5 V6 and 2.0 16V join the range19931996: First-generation production ends19962008: PurO2 gets taller gearing20082010: Cassino builds the last Croma2010 Fiat 125: 1967–1972 (Italy)Fiat 132: 1972–1981Fiat 132Fiat Argenta: 1981–1985Fiat Croma (first generation) (154): 1985–1996154Fiat Croma (second generation) (194): 2005–2010194 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones12171819
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1967–1972 (Italy)Fiat 125
1972–1981Fiat 132
1981–1985Fiat Argenta
1985–1996Fiat Croma (first generation) (154)
2005–2010Fiat Croma (second generation) (194)
1985Argenta out, front-wheel drive in
1988Turbo D i.d. pioneers direct injection
1991Variable vanes meet a new nose
19932.5 V6 and 2.0 16V join the range
1996First-generation production ends
2008PurO2 gets taller gearing
2010Cassino builds the last Croma
  1. 1985

    Argenta out, front-wheel drive in

    Fiat's front-drive Argenta replacement launched with a liftback body; the 2.0 CHT's Yamaha intake system targeted lower city fuel use.14

  2. 1988

    Turbo D i.d. pioneers direct injection

    The 1.9 Turbo D i.d. went on sale, bringing direct-injection diesel to a passenger car for the first time; output was 92 hp.1

  3. 1991

    Variable vanes meet a new nose

    January's facelift reshaped the lights, bumpers, grille, hood and fenders; the direct-injection diesel gained a variable-geometry turbo.1

  4. 1993

    2.5 V6 and 2.0 16V join the range

    June's revision brought a 2.0 16V and Alfa Romeo's 2.5 V6; the grille lost its central crossbar.5

  5. 1996

    First-generation production ends

    December ended the original Croma's run, taking Fiat out of the large family car segment.1

  6. 2008

    PurO2 gets taller gearing

    November's 1.9 Multijet PurO2 used taller gearing to cut CO2; the economy label later became eco:log.26

  7. 2010

    Cassino builds the last Croma

    The second generation's Cassino run ended on December 2, after 133,668 cars.2

Every generation

  • Fiat 125
    Fiat 1251967–1972 (Italy)
  • Fiat 132
    Fiat 1321972–1981
  • Fiat Argenta
    Fiat Argenta1981–1985
  • Fiat Croma (first generation)
    1541985–1996
  • Fiat Croma (second generation)
    1942005–2010
  • Fiat Freemont
    Fiat Freemont

Power over the years

From 90 hp to 200 hp in 20 years.

050100150200 19851990199520002005 hp 1985 · 90 hp · 2.0 CHT1985 · 120 hp · 2.0 i.e.1985 · 155 hp · 2.0 Turbo i.e.1988 · 92 hp · 1.9 Turbo D i.d.1993 · 137 hp · 2.0 i.e. 16V1993 · 150 hp · 2.0 Turbo i.e. with catalyst1993 · 160 hp · 2.5 Alfa Romeo V62005 · 120 hp · 1.9 Multijet 8V2005 · 140 hp · 1.8 MPI 16V (late-year launch)2005 · 147 hp · 2.2 MPI 16V2005 · 150 hp · 1.9 Multijet 16V2005 · 200 hp · 2.4 Multijet 20V five-cylinder 200 hp 2.4 Multijet 20V five-cylinder 90 hp 2.0 CHT
1591011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1985902.0 CHT
19851202.0 i.e.
19851552.0 Turbo i.e.
1988921.9 Turbo D i.d.
19931372.0 i.e. 16V
19931502.0 Turbo i.e. with catalyst
19931602.5 Alfa Romeo V6
20051201.9 Multijet 8V
20051401.8 MPI 16V (late-year launch)
20051472.2 MPI 16V
20051501.9 Multijet 16V
20052002.4 Multijet 20V five-cylinder

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    1.6

    1985–1991

    83 hp
  • 2.0 CHT

    Standard

    2.0 CHT

    1985–1989

    90 hp

  • Standard

    Super i.e. (UK)

  • Standard

    Dynamic

  • Special

    1.9 Multijet PUR-O2 / eco:log

    2008–2010

    118 hp

  • Standard

    Turbo D i.d.

    92 hp

  • Performance

    2.0 i.e. 16V

    137 hp

  • Performance

    Turbo i.e. (early)

    1985–1989

    153 hp

  • Performance

    2.4 Multijet 20V

    2005–2010

    200 hp

  • Special

    Italdesign Croma 8V concept

    2005

    1 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: a sedan-like stepped tail conceals a full rear hatch.1
  • Second generation: a tall-roofed wagon body with an upright tailgate.1
  • Second generation: horizontal rear lamps set into a very upright rear.8

Year by year

  1. 1988 model year

    First generation: body-colored lower bumpers, clear turn signals and a ribbed black panel between the rear lamps.1

  2. 1989

    First generation: upper rear-lamp sections changed from white to black.9

  3. 1991

    First generation: new headlights, hood, fenders and grille; reflectors appear in the rear bumper and around the plate.19

  4. 1993

    First generation: grille loses its center crossbar and wheels grow larger.9

  5. 1995

    First generation: gunmetal window surrounds and a body-colored panel between the taillights.9

  6. Late 2007

    Second generation: Bravo-like nose, teardrop headlights, coarser grille, added chrome trim and a new rear bumper.216

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Fiat Croma
    Croma
    Photo of a Lancia Thema
    Lancia Thema

    Lancia Thema

    The original Croma has plainer exterior trim; the Thema is dressed with chrome flourishes.12

  • Photo of a Fiat Croma
    Croma
    Photo of a Saab 9000
    Saab 9000

    Saab 9000

    The first Croma's stepped, sedan-like rear hides a hatch; shared doors and windshield explain the resemblance.19

  • Photo of a Fiat Croma
    Croma
    Photo of a Vauxhall Signum
    Vauxhall Signum

    Vauxhall Signum

    The second-generation Croma has a roof 95 mm taller than the Signum's.10

Against its rivals

  • Ford Granada 2.0 Ghia Mk. III

    Croma vs Ford Granada 2.0 Ghia Mk. III

    UK launch price lower is better

    Croma10,150 £
    Ford Granada 2.0 Ghia Mk. III11,593 £
    312

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 11 stories from its legend
    • “82 points for the drivers' title”
    • “Biodiesel won the Eco Targa Florio”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 27 sources
  1. Fiat Croma - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Fiat Croma (2005) - Wikipedia it.wikipedia.org
  3. DO YOU REMEMBER - THE FIAT CROMA? | Lancaster Insurance lancasterinsurance.co.uk
  4. La storia della Fiat Croma passioneautoitaliane.com
  5. Fiat Croma (Typ 154) – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  6. Fiat Croma 1.9 Multijet Diesel eco:log: 120-PS-Sparer im Test autoplenum.de
  7. Special: Fiat Croma (154) autoblog.nl
  8. Fiat Croma 2 SW JTD 200 (2005 – 2007), puissance et raffinement bien cachés, dès 3 000 € caradisiac.com
  9. Fiat Croma Turbo ie (1985 – 1996), une licorne italienne, dès 4 500 € caradisiac.com
  10. Fiat Croma | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  11. Fiat Croma Fahrbericht - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  12. The Sign Of Four – The Type Four Buyer’s Guide - italicar italicar.co.uk
  13. 1988 FIAT CROMA CHT | Sat 14th & Sun 15th June | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  14. Fiat Croma (2005-2007) — New Car Net newcarnet.squarespace.com
  15. Croma 8V has certain elements revealing its elegant characterization italdesign.it
  16. Fiat Croma Facelift - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  17. Fiat 125 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Fiat 132 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Fiat Argenta - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Duel Fiat Croma vs Citroën C5 : querelle de familiales caradisiac.com
  21. The Croma retains the image of a very comfortable saloon italdesign.it
  22. Fiat Croma, l'ultima ammiraglia di Torino – il Giornale ilgiornale.it
  23. 2011 FIA Alternative Energies Cup - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. 4^ ECO TARGA GREEN PRIX targaflorio.info
  25. CARS IN THE MOVIES: Christmas Vacation | Garage Italia garage-italia.com
  26. Fiat Croma 2.0 I.E. Turbo: prezzi storici | AutoBelle autobelle.it
  27. Fiat Croma For Sale & Price Guide | The Classic Valuer theclassicvaluer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • it.wikipedia.org
  • lancasterinsurance.co.uk
  • passioneautoitaliane.com
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • autoplenum.de
  • autoblog.nl
  • caradisiac.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • autobild.de
  • italicar.co.uk
  • angliacarauctions.co.uk
  • newcarnet.squarespace.com
  • italdesign.it

Photo credits

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