In the world of vans, minivans and crossovers, there is yet another option for families looking for the versatility of a minivan without the bulk; it is called the Lancia Musa from Fiat. It is hard not to take a liking to this vehcilce when you first see it. The styling is simple, yet fun, sporty yet refined. It just looks like it would be a ton of fun to drive, and with that small turn circle, parking around town will be a breeze too.
Young families need space, but can't always afford a full sized minivan. A compact car or even a sedan won't fit the varied needs of families, from emergency runs to the grocery store to carting kids around to daycare, sports, school and a lot of other activities. The Lancia Musa walks that fine line as a compact minivan, giving families the space that they need at an affordable price. Of course, it's not only the sticker price that is attractive; the Lancia Musa manages to return a combined average of 49.4 mpg. This means that it can travel up to 612 miles on a single tank of fuel in its 12.4-gallon engine. Add to that the sleek styling that is inherent in Italian cars and you have yourself a winner.
The Lancia Musa was first introduced in 2004, and has always been a good seller for Fiat, but it has been recently redesigned to keep up with the demand for space and style all in one package. In other words, just because you have a minivan doesn't mean you have to drive in a box. It is an instant eye catcher, and given its relative rarity in the United States, you're sure to attract attention and envy from your neighbors. Fiat has gone to great lengths to make the exterior sportier than a typical minivan, something that you wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen in. Another plus is that the Musa has been in production long enough to have developed a reputation for comfort and handling, and by now, the vehicle has been tweaked enough to avoid any of the manufacturing bugs that plague many new models.
The 2012 Lancia Musa comes equipped with a 1.3 multi-jet engine that produces 94 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 60 mph is accomplished in 11.8 seconds and top speed is 111 mph. While this is not a ton of power, it is all you really need!