Faults:

The piezoelectric injectors manufactured by VDO Siemens (277B) failed at 60,000 km. Replacing them with part number 277S resolved the problem.

The turbocharger has certain power failures, especially when demanding a lot of pressure (for example, when accelerating fully), and the engine may stall. This was solely due to a lack of lubrication and carbon buildup in the lubrication system.

Problems were also reported with the starting system, fuel system, injection system, and electrical system, causing jerking or preventing the engine from starting.

In addition, the engine presented problems with the ignition coil and control module, resulting in the engine running on two or three cylinders.

General Comments:

I found it to be a stable, comfortable car with good suspension feel, absorbing bumps well without being too soft or too firm. Perhaps a stiffer spring to reduce body roll in corners wouldn't have been a bad choice. It doesn't like corners, and I don't like how it handles them. If you try to drive more aggressively, the nose digs in, the body rolls, and weight transfers cause excessive body roll. Let no one be mistaken, I never sought out the Delta for its dynamic qualities... My wife's 500X, which I always compare it to, being taller, has a stiffer suspension setup, and on twistier roads, it's a more agile car with greater composure, which translates into greater safety.

That said, since you can't have everything, the 500X, in comparison, is a much harsher car and prone to bouncing. The ride quality seemed adequate to me, considering the 18-inch wheels and the tires it's fitted with. For a diesel engine, and within normal rev range, the car seems surprisingly quiet; it filters out vibrations quite well. Quality tires help to further reduce noise.

The engine moves the car, and that's about as much as I can say about it. It struggles to overtake in certain situations, and the fact that it's such a linear engine doesn't help. However, that very linear power curve is perfect for long highway journeys. There are no jerks, the gear changes are clean, and the smoothness is exemplary.

The car's fuel consumption is okay. For its weight and power, the consumption on this last trip was 5.2 liters per 100 km (actual). Daily consumption fluctuates between 5.8 and 6.2 liters per 100 km (actual) depending on traffic conditions. I'm not complaining; it's also true that I drive calmly, but it wasn't and isn't the best on the market, and Fiat group diesels (and gasoline engines) have never been known for being the most fuel-efficient.

I think the car's interior space is excellent. The rear seats are absolutely enormous, with more than enough headroom, legroom, and even foot space under the seat. No complaints whatsoever. The people I've had in the back were surprised by the space and comfort.

The same goes for the front seats. They're comfortable and easy to adjust. It's a shame the seat cushion angle isn't adjustable. Another drawback is that the lumbar support is manual, not electronic.

As for the rest of the interior details, the center console has few or very useless storage compartments, especially the center armrest, which only has a small bottle holder and little else. An additional USB port for charging mobile devices is missing. The passenger should also be able to adjust not only the air temperature but also the direction of the vents. The trunk is large (with the available extension), but the loading aperture and wheel wells are problematic, compromising practicality.

The finish is decent. The center console is rigid; there's no play or wobble if you try to move it. I don't currently have any rattles, but there are some details of poor assembly, typical of the FIAT group.

In my case, the seam between the upper dashboard and the speedometer bezel has a small bump that isn't properly fitted.

The steering wheel is too thin, and the shape of the middle, where they've put the Blue&Me buttons, doesn't allow me to rest my thumbs properly, since the protrusion of the design itself ends up being annoying after a while.

The car is excellent and quiet for long highway journeys, which is where it truly shines. It's also agile in the city, but its fuel consumption, at least compared to its competitors, isn't particularly low.

With all its features and strengths, I find the car very attractive both inside and out, justifying its semi-premium brand status. If I hadn't liked it, I would have sold it already, but it won me over. With proper maintenance, it can serve me well for many more years.