1996 Fiat Palio (178) Dimensions, Size & Specs

The width of the Fiat Palio (178) ranges from 1610 mm to 1626 mm (63.4 to 64 inches). This width balances exterior compactness with sufficient interior space for passengers, offering comfortable seating and control stability while driving in various conditions.

The Fiat Palio (178) has a height between 1445 mm and 1450 mm (56.9 to 57.1 inches). This moderate height offers reasonable headroom for occupants and contributes to an aerodynamic shape that helps improve fuel efficiency and reduces wind noise during driving.

The curb weight of the Fiat Palio (178) ranges from 890 kg to 1110 kg (1962 to 2447 lbs). This relatively light weight supports better fuel economy and nimble handling characteristics, enhancing performance especially in city environments where agility and efficiency are valued.

The Fiat Palio (178) has a maximum weight capacity (gross vehicle weight) ranging from 1305 kg to 1510 kg (2877 to 3329 lbs). This figure represents the total weight the vehicle can safely carry including passengers, cargo, and the vehicle itself, ensuring safety and maintaining optimal vehicle performance.

The Fiat Palio (178) provides a luggage capacity of 280 liters (9.9 cubic feet) with the rear seats upright. When the rear seats are folded down, the capacity expands significantly to between 920 liters to 1100 liters (32.5 to 38.8 cubic feet), offering enhanced versatility for transporting larger items.

Yes, the Fiat Palio (178), with its length between 3735 mm and 3740 mm (around 3.7 meters or 12.25 feet), and width between 1610 mm and 1626 mm (about 1.6 meters or 5.3 feet), fits comfortably within most standard residential garage dimensions. Typical residential garages allow for vehicle lengths up to around 5 meters (16.4 feet) and widths about 2.4 meters (8 feet), so the Palio leaves adequate room for door opening and movement around the vehicle.

The Fiat Palio (178) introduced in 1996 is effectively the first generation of the Palio nameplate, so it doesn't have a predecessor generation. It was designed to serve as Fiat's global small car platform, combining compact exterior dimensions for urban usability with practical interior and cargo space. Subsequent updates and facelifts continued to refine the design, but the 1996-2002 Palio (178) set the baseline for this popular hatchback segment.

The Fiat Palio (178) shares very similar compact dimensions to its contemporaries like the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta from the late 1990s. With lengths around 3.7 meters (12.2 feet), widths about 1.6 meters (5.3 feet), and heights near 1.45 meters (4.75 feet), these vehicles all fit into the supermini or subcompact class. The Palio is competitive in offering practical luggage space (280 liters standard, expandable to over 1,000 liters with seats folded), which is on par with or slightly better than some rivals. Weight-wise, the Palio’s 890-1110 kg curb weight keeps it agile like the Polo and Fiesta, providing a balance of efficiency and handling suited for urban and suburban driving.

The Fiat Palio (178) supports several tire sizes including 155/75 R13, 165/70 R13, 175/65 R14, 175/70 R13, and 175/65 R13. Smaller diameter tires such as the 13-inch variants typically contribute to a softer ride due to more sidewall flex, improving comfort on uneven roads. Larger 14-inch tires can enhance handling and cornering stability with stiffer sidewalls but may reduce ride softness slightly. This range of tire sizes allows owners to prioritize either comfort or sporty driving characteristics based on preference or road conditions.