We finally got behind the wheel of the all-new Lancia Ypsilon, a legendary name returning to the spotlight after a long period of silence outside Italy. Billed as a premium city car, it promises a touch of Italian elegance, a dynamic temperament, and a refined interior. On paper, it shares its platform with its Stellantis cousins—the Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa—yet Lancia is keen to emphasize its differences at all costs. So we wanted to see whether this little newcomer really delivers on its promises, and whether it truly lives up to its self-proclaimed “upmarket” positioning.
Dimensions and Exterior Design: Where Italian Personality Takes Shape
Our first impression when we see this Ypsilon is that it doesn’t lack character. Its dimensions (4.08 m long, 1.76 m wide, and 1.44 m high) remain close to those of its Stellantis cousins, but it flaunts a style of its own, highlighted by a backlit grille that’s quite imposing for its segment. This front end, dominated by the famous “chalice” reminiscent of the 1937 Aprilia, lends the city car an almost stately look. We also notice the “Lancia” name spelled out on the nose—an increasingly common trend among manufacturers seeking to reinforce a premium image.
From the side, you’ll spot interesting work around the wheel arches and a contrasting trim line that accentuates its curves. The rear door handles are hidden in the pillars, enhancing the car’s clean, sleek lines. But it’s the rear end that really caught our eye: round taillights inspired by the legendary Lancia Stratos, connected by a subtle “duck tail” that gives the back a sporty edge. Combined with the pronounced spoiler and a hinted diffuser, these details give the city car a more dynamic look than you might expect.
Interior Design and Ergonomics: Almost Premium Velour
Once you step inside, you realize that Lancia aimed to create a refined interior atmosphere. The dashboard layout appears more sophisticated than that of an Opel Corsa and more polished than a 208’s, featuring well-integrated visual accents. However, when you actually touch the materials, you’ll find some are fairly firm—perhaps below what one would expect from a true premium offering. It does feel like a clear step up from other mainstream city cars, but it’s not yet the kind of ultimate refinement you’d expect from certain luxury brands.
That said, the velour upholstery is eye-catching and contributes to a cozy, cocoon-like feel. Visually, it’s appealing, though it might divide opinions: you may either love it for its retro-chic vibe or wish for a more conventional fabric or leather. In any case, we found the Ypsilon to be comfortable, both in the front and rear seats. A special mention goes to the central console known as the “Tavolino”: depending on the trim level, it offers wireless charging, space to place your phone or even a small coffee, and it nods to a practical, urban lifestyle.
As for displays, the Italian city car comes standard with a digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system—called SALA—is easy to use, with voice controls that group several ambiance settings (interior lighting, music, climate) in one place. Thankfully, the climate controls remain physical, keeping things user-friendly. Overall, it’s a pleasant place to spend time, though we would have liked more generous padding on the armrests or higher-grade plastics to fully justify the “premium” badge.
Between Mild Hybrid and Potent Electric
Lancia offers two mechanical approaches for the Ypsilon: a mild hybrid (mHEV) and a fully electric (BEV). The hybrid version features a 1.2-liter gasoline engine delivering 100 hp, paired with a 48V battery and a dual-clutch transmission. While it’s not setting any performance records, this setup aims to suit mostly urban use, with claimed reasonable fuel consumption and a bit more driving comfort thanks to light electrification. Some will regret that the 136 hp version offered by Peugeot is not available, but Lancia has bet that 100 hp is enough in this segment.
For those looking to go fully electric, the Ypsilon is fitted with a 156 hp powertrain already seen in other Stellantis models. This output, which adjusts based on the driving mode (82 hp in Eco, 109 hp in Normal, 156 hp in Sport), gives the city car ample versatility, whether around town or on secondary roads. The 54 kWh battery (or 48 kWh usable, depending on the source) promises around 400 km of range according to Lancia. In practice, during our test drive on relatively traffic-free roads, we observed consumption near 12 kWh/100 km with eco-driving, and around 14 kWh/100 km when driving more spiritedly.
Precise Steering but Mixed Comfort
We took the electric version of the Ypsilon out on the road and quickly noticed Lancia’s intention to give the steering a firmer feel than a 208 or a Corsa. Having to apply slightly more effort to turn the wheel has its appeal, especially when you want pinpoint accuracy through bends. However, while this firmness might please those seeking a bit of sportiness, the suspension is on the stiff side at low speeds, particularly in the rear. We felt it on speed bumps and cobblestone streets, which can be less than ideal for purely urban driving.
Still, the handling is reassuring, and the car copes reasonably well with rough roads when you pick up the pace. We did wish Lancia had reworked the brake pedal feel more extensively—often criticized in Stellantis EVs—where the initial bite can feel vague, requiring a little practice to brake smoothly. On a more positive note, we found the overall soundproofing quite good for a car in this category.
A Positioning Still Up for Debate
On paper, the Ypsilon competes with the DS 3, Audi A1, or Mini. Indeed, Lancia aims for the premium city car segment. In reality, though, the Italian model feels more closely aligned with the top trims of Peugeot and Opel’s offerings. You get decent perceived quality, a unique interior design, and a fairly distinctive exterior look. But it’s still halfway between high-end mainstream and true luxury. In other words, positioning the Ypsilon as a direct rival to an Audi A1 or a Lexus LBX might be a stretch.
A Blend of Boldness and Compromise
With this new Ypsilon, Lancia has succeeded in offering a city car that clearly stands out stylistically, while retaining the solid and efficient technical base familiar from Stellantis. We love its Italian flair on the outside, the overall on-board comfort, and the precise steering that adds a dash of fun to the drive. We also appreciate the velour concept and the smart ergonomics, along with generous equipment even in the lower trims.
That said, it’s not without flaws. Ride comfort is a bit stiff at low speeds, especially in the electric version. We’d have liked more tactile quality to truly match the premium talk. And ultimately, this high-end positioning remains questionable because, despite its careful presentation, the Ypsilon still shares many fundamentals with mainstream models.
Pros:
- Very personal and stylish design for a city car
- Generally pleasant onboard experience, with practical ideas (Tavolino, dual screens, etc.)
- Precise steering feel, enhancing driving enjoyment
Cons:
- Firm suspension at low speed, especially around town
- Material feel not always up to premium standards
- Still difficult to justify its high-end positioning
All in all, this is a charming and well-intentioned city car. It takes tried-and-tested components, adds an undeniable Italian twist, and features a unique interior. The question is whether customers will embrace its somewhat ambiguous premium positioning or see it as more of a distinctive option at a competitive price. Only time will tell if the new Ypsilon can really restore Lancia to the prestige the brand has long aspired to.
