Along with the introduction of the new Fiat Tipo sedan, the 5-door version came back too.
The model is basically identical to the sedan version up to the C-pillar, from where a standard hatchback end was deployed to make the car more practical along with folding rear seats to increase the luggage space when needed. The tailgate sill is low and stepless, allowing to load even the bulkiest of packages, while the boot floor is reconfigurable: it can be lowered to extend capacity and even locked at a 40 degree angle. Engines and equipment are carried over from the sedan version.

Fiat introduced the Tipo lineup in 1988 as a replacement for the Ritmo, and five years later, the Italian carmaker brought a refreshed version.
The Tipo was a huge success right from the start. It offered more than its main rivals, and it was priced lower. Moreover, it came after the Ritmo, which was another successful vehicle built by Fiat. Fiat introduced a three-door version along with the facelifted version as well, but the main selling version was the five-door hatchback.

Designed by Ercole Espada, the Tipo surprised with its modern lines for those times. To stay ahead of the other hatchbacks, the carmaker changed some exterior details. It featured a new front fascia with slimmer headlights and a horizontal bar on top of the grille, with the four oblique Fiat brand lines. Since it was based on the 1988 model, it still featured a cubist-style design, but it was more rounded this time. On the sides, the body-colored door mirrors fitted better than the black ones from the non-facelifted version.

The Tipo offered one of the largest cabins in its class, and that was kept even after the facelift, but Fiat worked on some details. Inside, the designer followed the straight-line theme from the exterior and imagined a dashboard with long and flat surfaces. Even the instrument cluster was designed with angular lines with a grid pattern in the background. Obviously, it featured a split-folding rear bench to expand the, otherwise, small trunk.

Fiat installed a small engine choice under the hood, but good enough for the average buyers who were looking for an affordable, easy-to-run vehicle. There were three gasoline and two turbo-diesel engine options and, besides the 2.0-liter gasoline unit, all of the others were very fuel-efficient.

Fiat unveiled the Tipo in 1988 as a replacement for the aged Ritmo, who was on the market for ten years.
It was available only as a 5-door version.

Fiat considered that a hatchback had to have five doors appealing to families, and it sees no reason for making it with three doors. Later on, in 1993, it understood that 3-doors hatchbacks were a big part of the market and fixed their mistake. But for five years, the 5-door was the only option to go for a Tipo.

The car was designed by I.DE.A institute by a former lead-designer from Zagato, Ercole Spada. He used straight or slightly curved lines to create an appealing look for the Tipo. Moreover, it designed it to be built as a sedan and still keep most of the body panels. The wrap-around plastic bumper visually enhanced the rectangular headlights and flat front fascia. A slightly ascending beltline ran across the vehicle up to the D-pillar since the Tipo featured an additional glass area behind the rear doors.

Inside, the designer followed the straight-lines theme from the exterior and imagined a dashboard with long and flat surfaces. Even the instrument cluster was designed with angular lines with a grid pattern in the background.

Under the hood, Fiat installed a wide choice of engines. There were six gasoline and three diesel versions. The latter was on an ascending trend on the market, and hence Fiat’s expertise in compression ignition engines was big. It didn’t want to lose those customers.