Select a year
- Highs Unique retro design, taut handling, surprisingly roomy interior.
- Lows Poky base engine, tight rear seat, small touchscreen.
- Verdict The Fiat 500 is a small hatchback with plenty of character that will appeal to buyers looking for something fun and different.
Overview
Fiat launched a new, retro 500 in 2007, a half-century after the original rear-engine, two-cylinder model. The new 500 came to North America for the 2012 model year, reintroducing the brand to the U.S. three years after Fiat merged with Chrysler. The new-age, front-wheel-drive 500 is powered by a four-cylinder engine and is to the original model what the latest Volkswagen Beetle, and Mini Cooper are to their forerunners, popular in the 1950s and ‘60s. The 2017 Fiat 500 is small—about half a foot shorter than the Mini—and available only as a two-door hatchback or sunroof-convertible. The cute new 500 has oversize personality, with a distinctive exterior design recalling many of the original model’s styling cues, and features a cheeky, retro interior design.
What's New for 2017?
Fiat has simplified the 500’s model lineup, leaving Pop, Lounge, and Abarth trims. “Collection” packages were dropped in favor of standalone options. Prices also have been reduced, and the base Pop now comes with 15-inch alloy wheels standard. The Lounge has a new 15-inch wheel design, while the Abarth gets parking sensors standard, plus a new black 16-inch wheel design. There are three new appearance packages: The Black Trim Appearance package, the Two-Tone Appearance package, and the 500 Abarth package.
Pricing
Original MSRP:
- Pop: $17,485
- Lounge: $19,490
- Abarth: $20,990
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The naturally aspirated, 101-hp 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood of the 500 Pop and Lounge can only manage a leisurely 9.7-second 0-60 mph, despite the car’s light weight. That’s with a five-speed manual gearbox—a six-speed automatic also is available. A Sport package adds a slightly stiffer lower suspension, giving the car decent cornering grip, with linear steering feedback and feel. The 500 makes a better city car, where it can zip through traffic and take a tight parking space, than it does a freeway cruiser. The 500 Abarth starts with the standard models’ cuteness and adds a load of attitude, with a zippy turbocharged 1.4-liter four and the brappiest, most distinctive exhaust note in the business. It’s rated at 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque with the five-speed manual, or 157 horses and 183 pound-feet with the six-speed automatic. It cuts the 0-60 mph sprint to 6.9 seconds, and with its tactile steering and further-stiffened suspension, the 500 Abarth is a grin-inducing street fighter.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Fiat 500 is a tall hatchback with enough headroom for drivers over six feet. The dashboard features a retro-style plastic panel that matches the exterior paint color of the car. A gearshift, whether manual or automatic, extends from the bottom of the dash center rather than the floor. There are enough options and packages available to personalize the 500 to suit a variety of tastes. The Abarth adds nicely bolstered leather-covered front seats and Abarth scorpion logos placed throughout. The rear seat is short on legroom and elbow space, though if you flip it down there’s fairly generous 30 cubic feet of cargo space in the hatch area.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Fiat updated the 500’s UConnect infotainment system for the 2016 model year. It comes standard with a 5.0-inch screen with app-style icons, Bluetooth, two USB ports, an auxiliary input, and a six-speaker Alpine audio system. Options include navigation and BeatsAudio hi-fi with a trunk-mounted subwoofer. The UConnect system works well, although the display is smaller than that found in most competitors.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)
For more information about the Fiat 500’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.
