The Updated 2022 Fiat Toro Has Been Named 2021 “Light Commercial Vehicle” Of The Year!

Automotive publication AutoData Editora has unveiled its winners for the 2021 AutoData Awards for the best vehicles in South America. Taking the top honors for “Light Commerical Vehicle” was the recently updated 2022 Fiat Toro sport utility pickup (SUP). The Toro which was launched in 2016 in Brazil, radically changed the market. The vehicle blended the best attributes of a compact unibody SUV with the functionality of a pickup.

The award, which was based on votes from the publication’s readers of AutoData Magazine, AutoData News Agency, and the participants of the 2022 AutoData Perspectives Congress, highlighted the Fiat Toro’s updated interior, new turbocharged 1.3-liter “FireFly” inline-four-cylinder (known in Brazil as the Turbo 270 Flex) engine, and the new Uconnect based infotainment system. With over 300,000 units produced from the Goiana Assembly Plant, the Toro has been an effective part of success in FIAT’s success in the region. Currently, the Toro is exported to Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, and other markets under the Ram 1000 branding.

“The model collects sales records year after year and, definitely, is a vehicle that changed the history of FIAT”, pointed out Felipe Salum, Manager of FIAT South America Pickup Trucks and Light Commercial Vehicles. “That’s why we are happy to receive the recognition granted by AutoData Editora, showing that we are on the right path with our strategy”.

Along with the subcompact Fiat Strada, the pair of unibody pickups have dominated the pickup market in South America.

Because of the Toro’s surge in popularity, especially with the introduction of the Turbo 270 Flex engine, FIAT Brazil is now offering two new special edition models (Chrome Edition and Black Edition) exclusively for the Volcano Turbo 270 Flex model. 

For those who love chrome, the Chrome Edition adds the handsome front styling treatment from the Toro Ranch model. This includes the Ranch model’s front fascia and chrome grille with bold F-I-A-T text. The Chrome Edition gives the Toro Volcano a much more upscale appearance over the standard model.

For those customers who enjoy a sportier and sinister-looking option, the Black Edition model adds the looks of the premium Toro Ultra model to the more affordable Volcano trim. Black Edition models include a darkened front grille with bold F-I-A-T text, darkened front fascia, black-painted 18-inch aluminum wheels, black badging, and black-colored door handles. There are also darkened treatments to the roof rack, window frame, and black door frames.

To make the experience even more unique, consumers can combine one of the Black Edition and Chrome Edition series with the Technology package, which features the new 10.1-inch Uconnect 5 vertically positioned multimedia center, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth voice commands, MP3, AM/FM radio, auxiliary input and USB port, plus advanced driving aid features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Automatic High Beams (AHB).

The Toro Volcano also includes full LED headlamps, fog lamps, daytime running lights (DRLs), and LED taillamps. There is a 7-inch thin-film-transistor (TFT) screen located in the gauge cluster, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control, Hill Holder, TC+ (Electronic Locker), and 7 airbags ensure safety when driving the vehicle.

Convenience and comfort can also be found thanks to features like an Automatic Dimming Mirror, Dual-Zone Digital Climate Control, Cruise Control, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, rain and twilight sensors, Electrochromic Rearview Mirror, Keyless Enter N’ Go, power-adjustable seats, and wireless phone charger.

The Volcano Turbo 270 Flex model has a Brazilian Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of R$ 153,990 (or about $29,220 USD). The Chrome Edition and Black Edition options have an MSRP of R $2,990 (or $567.25 USD). For those who seek the content from the Technology Package, it will set them back R$ 5,500 (or $1,043.45).

The Fiat Toro set the benchmark for the modern compact unibody pickup. So much so, that Ford Motor Company has decided to send its newly launched Maverick compact pickup to Brazil and Argentina to compete against it.