Ram’s Ford Maverick/Hyundai Santa Cruz Fighter: Fiat Toro
Stellantis is sitting on the perfect Ford Maverick/Hyundai Santa Cruz fighter. It just released these images of the newly facelifted 2022 Fiat Toro. That’s what this is called in Europe. It is the Ram 1000 in Latin America. Your pals at MotorBiscuit added the Ram logos for effect. You know, to help you and Stellantis visualize what the Toro would look like as a US Ram.
Stellantis has the perfect antidote with the Fiat Toro
The Santa Cruz has gobbled up a lot of buzz with its recent reveal. Spy shots of the Ford Maverick occupy enthusiast websites at regular intervals. Stellantis has the perfect antidote. So when will we hear from them on this? It’s hard to say? But we can give you some info on this latest refresh, anyway.
The Brazilian-based Toro and Ram 1000 are unibody crossovers that are close dimensionally with the Santa Cruz. Just an inch or two shorter in width and length. A new face and other minor changes have been applied to what was originally introduced in 2016.
There is both a four-door and two-door cab available
Interestingly, the new upper headlights are LED, while the lower fog lights are light-emitting diodes. New alloy wheels have also been changed, which range from 16- to 18-inches depending on the trim. There is not only a four-door but also a two-door cab available, which we don’t expect from either Hyundai or Ford.
The interior has been really changed up. It takes on its larger Ram sibling design. The main screen is 10-inches while the console screen measures seven inches. The touch screen function is optional. The brown leather seats and trim are also optional.
New for the Toro is the 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 185 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. There is also a 2.0-liter diesel engine with 170 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is only available with the 1.3-liter engine, but both two- and four-wheel-drive are available with the diesel.
The Fiat Toro base model comes in at $20,000
There are five trim levels for 2022 with some rather interesting names. They are Resistance, Freedom, Volcano, Ranch, and Ultra. Based on exchange rates the base model comes in at $20,000, with the top Ultra trim package topping $34,000.
If the Toro were to come stateside we doubt it would come with the Diesel option. A 250 hp four-cylinder would be a nice substitute. It could be that Stellantis isn’t giving the Toro much thought because it is not available as an electric or hybrid model?
Whatever is the reason, it sure looks like a missed opportunity for both some added hype but also for a spot in a segment that seems to be getting a lot of attention lately. Stellantis, it’s your move.
