2012 Fiat Fremont Official Review

Plenty has been written about Fiat's technologies, platforms, and vehicles making their way into Chrysler's future portfolio, but the American automaker is also expected to contribute to Fiat's European offerings. Perhaps the first instance of this transfusion lies with the new 2012 Fiat Freemont -- a seven-seat crossover that's little more than a badge-engineered Dodge Journey.

From the outside, the Freemont is pretty close to a carbon copy of its North American sibling, although minor styling revisions do help set it apart from the Journey. A new grille insert (which incorporates a large Fiat badge) and a rounded, lowered front fascia help lend the crossover a slightly sportier look. In back, cosmetic revisions are relegated to a new taillamp design, along with a sleeker bumper fascia with integrated fog taillamps.

Changes beneath the sheetmetal, however, will be harder to spot. From what we've seen, the new Freemont will share its cabin with the updated 2011 Journey, and incorporate the same 8.4-inch touch screen infotainment display on most -- if not all -- trim levels.

When it comes to engine selections, however, the Freemont's offerings will be quite a bit different than the U.S. market Journey. Base front wheel-drive Freemont models receive a Fiat-sourced, 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 mated to a five-speed manual transmission. A 170-horsepower version of the same engine is optional, but those seeking all-wheel-drive are apparently forced into gasoline engines. A 170-horsepower, 2.0-liter I-4 is standard on Freemont AWD models, while Chrysler's 276-horsepower, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is optional. Fiat also promises the suspension tuning has been recalibrated to suit European tastes, but only time -- and a crack behind the wheel -- will verify that claim.

Why a Fiat-badged Journey? Product planners believe there's still an opportunity for a seven-seat crossover to succeed in Europe, and since the Dodge brand is no longer sold in European markets, the Fiat brand was chosen for the job. After the Freemont's debut at the Geneva show, production is expected to begin at Chrysler's plant in Toluca, Mexico, later this summer.