Europeans can make pickups as well, here comes the 2023 Fiat Toro Pickup. Trucks are synonymous with the US, and with good reason. Most major manufacturers are from the continent. But Fiat doesn’t shy away from a challenge. Their Toro pickup has a lot of upsides to it, considering it doesn’t have a pedigree of a purebred pickup. The company has only one pickup under its flag since it mostly focuses on budget vehicles. But there are all types of vehicles that Fiat produces. It obviously draws a lot of inspiration from other pickups.
But it does it with style. The pickup won’t be coming to the US continent though. This is a mid-cycle refresh, so we are expecting some major improvements. The interior could get an update and new technology. This isn’t a luxury truck so don’t expect any premium materials. The truck has a unibody build and that is unlikely to change. The truck doesn’t have a lot of competition whatsoever. It is a small pickup and we all know how scarcely populated that segment actually is. There should be some interesting powertrain improvements as well. Let’s take a closer look at what the new Toro will look like.
Fiat Toro Interior Review
The fresh 2023 Fiat Toro Pickup is getting further interior upgrades. A lot of redesigns are happening and new technology will be implemented. There is new seating to improve comfort which is a huge plus. More cushioning and heated and ventilated seats are present. No massaging feature though, at this price tag it is not expected. Central infotainment system with standard connectivity.
Safety features are plenty, including cameras, sensors, lane change alerts, pedestrian detection alerts and such. Unfortunately, this is a budget pickup so no hands-free driving. Moon roof will be available, the dashboard is fully digital which is a nice surprise. Also, the steering wheel is heated and there is enough space for 5 people to sit comfortably.
Exterior Upgrades
The outside of the pickup is looking stylish and a bit sporty. It has curves to make it aerodynamic and ergonomic. This improves handling, steering as well as fuel economy. It has standard 18-inch wheel rims from lightweight aluminum. The tailgate opens like a double door which is a breath of fresh air. It has cargo space on top of the pickup as well as an extra light. Running boards to the side to make getting in and out much easier.
There are numerous exterior colors to choose from. The front fascia is a bit smaller than on others pickups. Also, there are 2 levels of headlights. The top ones are linear. Bumpers are seamless and fit well with the overall design.
Engine Specs, Transmission
The new 2023 Fiat Toro Pickup doesn’t have the humongous engines usually offered with pickups. But after all, it is a compact-size truck so it makes perfect sense. What it lacks in performance and power it makes up with fuel economy and durability. So we can deduce that this truck isn’t built to be a heavy workhorse. That doesn’t mean it can’t pull and haul a lot of payloads. We are saddened to hear that Fiat won’t be producing the diesel engine version anymore. This is probably due to emission restrictions becoming more strict. They are looking towards the future and cutting out heavy carbon footprint engines is the first step to take it. More information concerning the 2023 Fiat Toro will be available soon. This includes the choice to limit the availability of the 2.0-liter Multijet II turbo-diesel four-cylinder powertrain (also known as the TD350) to just one model rather than dropping its availability across the entire lineup.
The trim level with a western motif will be that specific model. The ZF-sourced 9-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive (44), hill descent control (HDC), a crankcase protector, and an embedded front bumper skid plate will all still be available with the TD350 powertrain. The TD350’s engine is capable of producing 170 hp and 260-pound feet of torque. This perhaps doesn’t sound like much for a pickup. But the tiny Toro is quite capable and has good performance. The Global Small Engine (GSE) family’s turbocharged 1.3-liter “Firefly” inline-four engine (also known as the T270), which is offered in the Renegade, Compass, and 500X crossovers and uses the same Small Wide 44 design as the Toro, will continue to replace the TD350. The engine, which supports flex-fuel, was added to Toro for the 2023 model year.
On ethanol, the “Firefly” produces 200 pounds-feet of torque and 185 HP at 5,750 rpm. When using gasoline, the engine loses around 5 horsepower. There is a lack of electric options for the Toro. This is a bit strange since the company already discontinued the diesel version. Perhaps they first need to change the platform and the architecture of the vehicle. So, it can accommodate the electric powertrain components. The battery doesn’t even have to be too big. One battery of 100 kWh would be more than enough to outmatch the current performance of the engines. It would also give it an amazing range considering it is not a small hatchback. Perhaps the next generation of Toro will be the one to introduce green energy-powered pickup. We are still waiting on it.
Fuel Economy
The fresh 2023 Fiat Toro Pickup is quite cheap when it comes to the cost of running it. The small-size pickup gets around 23 mpg of combined driving. Introducing better hybrid technology or full electrification would do wonders for these numbers.
2023 Fiat Toro Price and Release Date
We expect the pickup to arrive later in 2023, probably fall. Starting price for the 2023 Fiat Toro Pickup will start at around $21,000 for the basic version and can go up to $34,000. No real competition honestly, except the Hyundai Santa Cruz and Ford Maverick.
