Overview & Reviews

Something of an Italian answer to the VW Beetle, the original Fiat 500 was produced from 1957 through 1975 and featured a rear-mounted, air-cooled engine of just 500cc (a half-liter) in size. Among the 500's (or Cinquecento's) lovable traits were its diminutive yet space-efficient body that made maneuvering in crowded European cities a snap, an available large fold-back canvas sunroof and a small appetite for fuel.

Arriving some  50 years after the introduction of the original, today's Fiat 500 boasts many of the traits that made its forebear so beloved. The contemporary Fiat 500 has cute retro styling along with a surprisingly roomy cabin for its small footprint. Marking Fiat's return to the United States after a 27-year hiatus, the 500 is something of a United Nations approach to car building, as this Italian car is built at a Fiat-owned Chrysler plant located in Mexico. Though that may put long-term reliability into question, what we do know is that this little car's personality fits its cheeky looks.

Current Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is available in both coupe and convertible body styles. The convertible, though, is actually more like a coupe, with a huge, roll-back cloth sunroof.

The standard 500 comes with a 1.4-liter 101-horsepower four-cylinder matched to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic. As the Fiat 500 weighs just 2,350 pounds -- a few hundred less than a base Mini Cooper -- performance is actually fairly peppy.

The Fiat 500 Turbo and GQ Edition gain a turbocharged version of the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 135 hp and 150 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual is the only transmission available. Those looking for the spiciest meatball should consider the 500 Abarth. With 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, its turbocharged 1.4-liter four sends the Abarth to 60 mph in a quick 7.1 seconds. The five-speed manual is the sole transmission offering here.

The standard Fiat 500 coupe comes in Pop, Sport, Lounge, Turbo and Abarth trim levels, while the convertible comes in the Pop, Lounge and Abarth variants. Standard feature highlights for the base Pop trim include full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, a tilt-only steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat and a six-speaker sound system. The luxury-themed Lounge adds 15-inch alloy wheels, exterior chrome accents, foglamps, a fixed glass roof (hatchback only), upgraded cloth upholstery, Bluetooth phone connectivity and an iPod/USB audio interface. The Sport, Turbo and Abarth models upgrade with features that are mainly performance-related. Two special-edition models, the GQ and the 1957, were introduced this year, offering mainly cosmetic flourishes.

In reviews, we've been impressed by the 500's smooth and willing engines and slick-shifting manual transmission. Though the steering feel is somewhat numb, the 500, especially the Sport version, provides agile handling along with a compliant ride quality, besting the Mini Cooper in the latter respect. The Abarth is a different animal entirely -- a 500 with an attitude by way of its spirited acceleration, snorting exhaust and athletic handling. This little dynamo should have strong appeal to enthusiasts, as it provides massive driving entertainment in a tiny package.

Though the 500 is 6 inches shorter in length and 2 inches narrower than its chief rival, the Mini Cooper, the Fiat 500 is substantially taller (by 4 inches). That translates into better outward visibility and respectable leg- and headroom, especially for rear seat passengers. The interior is cheerful-looking, especially when optioned with the two-tone coloring, and the controls are easy to operate. Despite the Fiat 500's small size, seating comfort is surprisingly respectable for drivers of all sizes, though tall folks should avoid the sunroof, as it significantly reduces headroom.

Used Fiat 500 Models
The current-generation Fiat 500 was introduced in 2012. Besides the Turbo and Abarth convertibles being unavailable that first year, changes since then have mostly been limited to shuffling of trim level content. The 1957 and GQ special edition models debuted in 2014.

User Reviews:

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  Exceeds expectations and is fun. - 2012 Fiat 500
  By igofishingalot - August 28 - 2:33 pm

  Fuel mileage is much better than the 38mpg highway posted on the sticker. An average of 41mpg was observed during a nice 40 mile long curvy and hilly back road drive mostly at 45mph in 4th gear with the top open. The car is a joy to travel in. It has plenty of room and comfort for 4. At 65mph with the top full open and windows closed, it is quiet enough to have normal conversations between all 4 occupants. Very quiet ride with top open or closed. Top can be operated with push button control while driving under 50mph. Car is fun enough to make our mid teen age kids still want to go with us. Back seats are roomy and comfortable for picky an long legged kids 58" tall.

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  No buyers remorse! - 2012 Fiat 500
  By crushlawtx - August 15 - 5:56 pm

  I traded in my 2008 Infiniti G35 for a 2012 Fiat 500 Sport in Rame with brown leather interior, and I could not be happier with my purchase. Its comfortable, fun to drive, and beautiful. I rarely go anywhere without someone asking me to look in my car in parking lots. Im averaging over 31 mpgs with the automatic transmission on mostly city driving. Ive had the car nearly two months now, and I dont have a single gripe. Its an absolutely amazing little car!

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  This thing shifts terribly! - 2012 Fiat 500
  By patsys - August 5 - 4:29 pm

  Brand new fully loaded lounge cabrio.. This thing is the worst around town. I have an automatic - because thats your only option. When it shifts from 1st to 2nd you get a whiplash-like jerk. The gas pedal is awful too. Its always too little gas or too much. Something is wrong with the design of this car. Seriously. Oh yeah.. you cannot pull out across traffic.. there is a two second delay between slamming the gas down and the car actually moving. Its not a lemon.. it just stinks!!!

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  Dont be fooled ... check these out first - 2012 Fiat 500
  By archi2 - August 3 - 11:39 am

  I bought my 2012 Fiat 500 Lounge in May 2011 and traded it in in July 2011. I continued to have problems with the vehicle since my purchase. Lemon? The service manager says it would take up to a year before it would even qualify as a lemon. I had 8 problems to be resolved at my first visit with the Fiat mechanic. Only one was resolved - the clicking noise on the driver door whenever opening. Apparently a loose screw. The other seven? The Fiat mechanic says for all seven, "Normal Condition. No Fix." The worst of the seven was being thrown around in a freeway lane, and not because of trucks or wind.

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  2012 500 sport (manual) - 2012 Fiat 500
  By pd14_98 - August 3 - 10:03 am

  I am a new Fiat fan for life! The 500 sport is a winner for me. Very reliable, very peppy & fun to drive, very economical, and very beautiful. I get 44 mpg on highway drives with the A/C on...this car easily exceeds the EPA rating for highway milage. Driving in the city is closer to the EPA rating (30-32 mpg in true bumper to bumper city driving). Even though I did not have a big budget, I am very happy I bought the Sport with a few options (18,600) and not the Pop. The sport has exceptionally comfortable seats and adds so much extra equipment for a small premium that it was worth getting over the Pop...I strongly recommend this car to everyone who admires it.

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  Wow--Exceeded all expectations - 2012 Fiat 500
  By eidnas - June 24 - 2:05 pm

  We have the 500 Lounge the retro interior is great. Very comfortable seats. The sport driving option changes the entire driving dynamic on curving & hilly back roads. For a small wheel base car, the ride, handle and power is superior. It is surprisingly very stably at freeway speeds.

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  Texas 500 - 2012 Fiat 500
  By toaot500 - June 23 - 10:00 pm

  I ve had my car for about a month and I am enamored with it! It drives like a much sportier and expensive car you feel the bumps but only slightly most of it is absorbed. I cant tell you how much I love the way the interior looks like it came from a Maserati. I ve had alot of cars in the past but this one is actually my favorite so far. It may not be the fastest on the road but you never get the impression that its not. I was going for the Sport model because I liked the wheels and the body kit but the differences, between it and the Pop are minimal in performance (Ive test driven both in a manual). Both have a sport button like the Mini that make the small 1.4l come alive. GAS SAVER!

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  Makes me smile - 2012 Fiat 500
  By fiatscooter - June 9 - 10:13 pm

  Just bought my sport last Saturday and I am very happy with the purchase. It has style and is tons of fun to drive. My commute seems to have been shortened. I definitely would recommend this car to anyone looking for an inexpensive and fuel efficient alternative in the usa. Great job Fiat!

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  Fiat sport - 2012 Fiat 500
  By perrusquiald - May 17 - 11:16 am

  I just got my car last weekend and Im happy. the car is great, fun to drive and great gas saver, I got 4 stars for the reliability because the car is new to America but I dont have any complains. You need to drive this car before you buy the mini cooper, this is better buy for the money and looks great.

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  Prima Edizione - 2012 Fiat 500
  By limee - May 4 - 5:14 pm

  I had wanted this car for years, so finally Fiat arrives back in the US. I was too late in the signing up process to get the first 500 models but managed to purchase one from a local dealer at MSRP which was good seeing as sellers are generally asking 2-3 thousand over MSRP. Now have it in my possession and it reminds me of all the other Fiats and Alfas I have owned over the years, in that it definitely has character. The styling is fantastic and very eye catching. Its a fun car to drive and a car that involves the driver more than other cars in the same class that I had test driven. Has a few niggles (Hey its Italian!) but they are niggles I can live with, because it has my soul!