The Fiat Petra D comes with a 1.9-liter diesel engine. This motor has a capacity of 1910 cc and uses four cylinders. It is a naturally aspirated engine, which means it does not have a turbocharger. The car gives a mileage of about 11.5 kmpl. It uses a 5-speed manual gearbox for smooth driving. This engine is built to be strong and lasts a long time. The Fiat Petra D was a good choice for long trips because the engine felt stable at high speeds. This model produces around 63 bhp of power and 120 Nm of torque. The car works well on different types of Indian roads. Owners liked this engine because it was easy to repair and very simple. This diesel motor helped the car carry five people comfortably. It remains a solid example of simple diesel power.

The Fiat Petra D offered a spacious cabin for its time. It could seat 5 people comfortably. The car had a simple dashboard design. Inside, the seats used soft fabric materials. This model came with basic features like power steering and air conditioning. Higher trims had 4 power windows for extra comfort. This model was known for its solid build and heavy doors. There was enough legroom for 3 adults in the rear seat area. The car also had a large boot space to carry 4 or 5 heavy bags for family trips. Large windows made the inside feel open and bright. It provided a quiet ride compared to many other cars on the road back then. This model was a good choice for families who wanted more space than a hatchback. It stayed practical and easy to use.

The Fiat Petra D is a sedan based on the Palio platform. This car has a simple and clean design made for daily use. At the front, it has big rectangular headlamps and a small grille. The car is 4,186 mm long and 1,620 mm wide. It stands 1,440 mm tall and has a ground clearance of 170 mm. This helps the car drive over high speed breakers in India. The side has straight lines and large windows so the driver can see clearly. It uses 13-inch or 14-inch wheels based on the version. Higher models come with body-colored bumpers to look better. At the back, this model has a large boot with 430 liters of space. The metal body feels heavy and very strong. This car was built to be tough for long road trips on Indian roads.

The Fiat Petra D faced tough competition from other diesel sedans in the Indian market during the mid-2000s. One of its main rivals was the Tata Indigo. This car was very popular because it offered a lot of space and a low price. Another strong competitor was the Ford Ikon diesel. People liked the Ikon for its driving feel and good brand name. The Hyundai Accent CRDi was also a big rival for this model. The Accent had a smooth engine that many buyers preferred over the 1.9-litre engine in the Fiat Petra D. Additionally, the Maruti Suzuki Esteem was a well-known choice for families at that time. Most buyers chose these other cars because they had better service networks across India. This model struggled to sell many units against these established names in the segment.