The Fiat Petra came with two engine options for Indian buyers. The first was a 1.6-litre petrol engine. This engine was very powerful for its time and produced around 100 bhp. It was known for good speed and smooth performance on highways. The second option was a 1.9-litre diesel engine. This diesel motor was simple and reliable but lacked a turbocharger. It produced about 63 bhp and focused more on fuel efficiency. Both engines were paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. The car was heavy, so it felt very stable at high speeds. This model provided a solid driving experience on bumpy Indian roads. Many drivers liked the petrol version because it felt quick and energetic. The diesel version was better for long trips and heavy use. The powertrain setup made the Fiat Petra a strong sedan during its short run in the Indian market.

The Fiat Petra offered a spacious cabin for a sedan of its time. Inside, the car featured a simple dashboard with easy to use controls. This model could comfortably seat 5 adults with enough legroom and headroom. The seats were covered in durable fabric, which was good for long trips. This car came with features like power steering and air conditioning to keep passengers cool in Indian summers. One of the best things about this model was its large boot space. It had over 500 litres of storage, making it perfect for carrying luggage for a big family. The build quality was solid, and the doors closed with a heavy sound. While it did not have many digital screens, the layout was practical and clear for any driver. This sedan focused more on comfort and space than fancy designs.

The Fiat Petra was a 4-door sedan based on the Palio platform. This model had a simple and clean look. It looked like a longer version of the Palio hatchback. The car featured large headlights at the front. These lights helped with night driving. The front grille was small and sat between the lights. Most models came with body-colored bumpers. This made the car look neat for its time. At the back, it had a large boot area for storage. The tail lights were vertical and easy to see. This model used 13-inch or 14-inch wheels depending on the variant. It was about 4100 mm long. The door handles and mirrors were often black or matched the body. This car was built strong to handle Indian roads. It provided a basic but useful design for families who wanted a sedan.

The Fiat Petra was a sedan sold in India between 2004 and 2007. It faced many strong rivals in the mid-size car market. One of its main competitors was the Maruti Suzuki Esteem. This car was popular because of its low price and easy service. Another big rival was the Hyundai Accent. Many buyers liked the Accent for its smooth engine and comfortable cabin. The Ford Ikon was also a tough competitor that many people enjoyed driving. Finally, the Tata Indigo offered a lot of space for a low price, making it a favorite for families. This model struggled to beat these brands because they had more service centers across the country. Sales for the car stayed low while rivals sold many more units every month. These competing models offered better spare parts availability and higher resale value for Indian buyers.