High-Riding 2021 Fiat Tipo SW Cross Makes Spy Debut

Back in June, we first caught a glimpse of the facelifted Fiat Tipo Cross, a high-riding variant of the no-frills compact hatchback.

Our photographers have now spotted the Tipo SW Cross jacked-up estate testing in the Alps. This likely means Fiat will give the Cross treatment to at least two of the facelifted Tipo’s three body styles – as of now, we have no proof that the Tipo sedan will also be available in Cross guise.

As with the Tipo Cross hatch spotted on the streets of Turin, Italy two months ago, the Tipo SW Cross features camouflaged wheel arches and side sills, leading us to believe they will feature plastic body cladding to make them look wider and more rugged.

Besides the cladding, the Tipo SW Cross is in for other exterior upgrades including more rugged-looking bumpers, dedicated wheels and, obviously, a higher ground clearance.

Add to that the updates brought by the facelift of the Tipo range, which will include a new grille as well as new headlights with LED DRLs integrated in the upper part and taillights with revised graphics. On the inside, the 2021 Fiat Tipo should gain an updated infotainment system, probably with a larger display, as well as minor upholstery and trim changes.

Fiat is also expected to make some changes under the hood by introducing the new Firefly family of 1.0-liter three-cylinder and 1.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines to the Tipo lineup. A mild-hybrid powertrain is said to be in the cards as well. As for the diesels, reports from Italy claim that only the 1.6-liter MultiJet will carry over. Regardless of the powertrain, all Fiat Tipo models will remain FWD-only.

The facelifted Fiat Tipo, including the new Cross variants, is expected to debut in early fall 2020.