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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  You have to Drive this car!!! - 2012 Fiat 500
  By mikebnascar8 - April 30 - 1:25 pm

  My first impression was to laugh at this car, it was tiny and looked different. I never thought that I would Love driving it! The 6-speed Italian made tip-tronic automatic is a brilliant transmission! Shifts when you want it to & gives you a great power band. Its 101hp, so your not going to win any drag races... but you can throw this car into any corner, on ramp or off ramp almost at any speed and it will just go exactly where you point it! I was baffled by how amazing this car handled! In the sport mode, you will notice a difference in throttle response, shift points and steering feel. The Bose radio is amazing, the overall quality of the car is unparrelled in this price range!

• 

  Zippity Doo Dah! - 2012 Fiat 500
  By drmac_uk_us - April 22 - 12:46 pm

  OK, I had a Honda S2000: twitchy, fun, a tad evil. BUT the SO did not fit, the ride was rougher than roller skates on cobblestones, and a boring commute didnt warrant keeping it. (sigh.) - The 500-Sport (manual, natch) is zippy, fun, and a real kick to drive. Its comfortable, and Mr. 62" CAN fit into the pax seat. (0-60 in lots of seconds is OK in FUN seconds) Theres a lot of down-shifting (even at highway speeds), it tends to jack-rabbit from stop, and Ive not pushed the traction in rain. But it gets me to work with a smile. - Free for 36K miles, the free road-service is better than AAA premium. Nice sunroof, and the Bose rocks.

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  try it ,youll like it - 2012 Fiat 500
  By pbuehler - April 6 - 8:51 am

  just got through driving the sport version and it was pretty good. the driving position was more comfortable for my 62" frame that either the corolla or fit and had a softer feel to the interior. the sport is , sporty ,with painted brakes,ground effect panals and bigger wheels. it handled so cal freeways, and its big trucks ,with no problem and with 4 adults aboard it got around just fine. really, go drive one.

• 

  Great car - 2012 Fiat 500
  By breinke - March 10 - 8:05 pm

  I just drove this car today, and I have never driven a manual. It felt very easy to drive and very comfortable. Although it doesnt have much power, I didnt feel like I was going to be run over by a big texas truck or not be able to keep up with traffic. I did not sit in the back, but It looked like it could do a good job of hauling people under six feet.

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  Fun, Cute but No Power - 2012 Fiat 500
  By edcg - March 3 - 4:45 pm

  Ive been waiting for this car to come to the US ever sense the positive review on TopGear. The US Spec Sport version version looks nice and is comfortable but lacks real oomph from the engine. This car is still on my short list BUT Im going to wait for the Abarth variant.

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  Italy has returned!! - 2012 Fiat 500
  By carfreak24 - February 20 - 4:58 pm

  First off, I havent driven this car, but Ive seen it at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. I absolutely love the styling of this car! When spending time in it at the auto show I first realized how comfortable this car was. I am looking for a car that is affordable, stylish, and good on gas mileage. I cant wait to be able to drive the car and see how it performs. When checking the car over I could just tell that it was built with fine craftmenship and the materials used are like a luxury cars materials. People should defently consider this before buying any competetive car.

• 

  Customer service # 1 Priority??????/ - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Susan Riley - August 24 - 2:04 am

  I purchased this car from a dealer within 5 miles of my home. Within one year of purchasing this car the dealer went out of business. I then started to take the car to a dealer near to where I work but they are no longer providing any service that is under warranty for Fiat as they have a dispute with Fiat. My check engine light is on and I am now told that I can have the car towed to a dealer that is a 90 minute drive from my home but it is my responsibility to pick it up. Calls to and emails to Fiat go unanswered. It is a great car and I loved it but dont buy a Fiat. You cannot count on their relationships with their dealers.

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  Great Car for the Money! - 2016 Fiat 500
  By Ashley Stanley - May 13 - 10:01 am

  The new 2017 500C Pop is the same as the 2016 500C Easy. I ended up purchasing the 2016 Easy, because there was one in a color I liked at the closest dealership. This model is an extremely affordable way to have a convertible, manual transmission, cruise control, great climate control, and bluetooth (U connect is super user friendly, Ive never had a vehicle with bluetooth and started using it the day I bought the car). I have enjoyed shifting gears in my 500C IMMENSELY, and Im sure the experience is similar in the 2017 Pop. I honestly dont miss all the extras the lounge offers, because Im not a fan of leather seats (freezing in the winter when I leave for work around 6:20 A.M.). I also love the simple knobs for A/C and heat, as well as the interior air filter, etc. The design of the interior is simple and intuitive. Plus, the 500C offers the best of both world in practicality and owning a convertible.

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  Whirrrrrrr whistle growl pop burble - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Arthur Abarth - April 11 - 4:19 am

  Overall this thing is good for basic transportation for someone who likes to drive. Set your expectations low, the interior is not primo, but if thats what you want then save up for something more upscale. The interior has some character but is definitely basic. The seats are sporty and the fabric feels robust. Racing Stripes, Racing stripes! How did they get inside my car again? The seats have a single red stripe going longways, Ill keep em. I use this car to commute through city streets and park it on the curb. Those big rims will get scratched, hail will damage the steel roof and eventually someone will drive their car into my car followed by driving their car away. Such is life. This is a more fragile car than anything Ive had, the intercoolers are in the edges of the front bumper, meaning a fender bender will cost f$ht dollars. The brake calipers are within fingers reach of any passerby. Putting new tires on will scratch the rims very badly if you dont go out of your way to find a specialty shop. All that aside, this car rocks. It makes a unique exhaust sound, seems like it has never made the same sound twice. whirrrrr, whistle, growl, pop burble. Rippin through the corners and being a tiny car, 5 speed rowing and being such an unconventional car. Plenty of room for the average person and whatever junk the tote around with them, maybe even room for a friend.

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  Dont buy a Fiat - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Sue G - February 17 - 6:52 am

  Dont buy a Fiat because they dont stand behind their products!!!!! I purchased a used 2012 Fiat Pop May of 2014. In June of 2014 it needed a new purge valve solenoid and had a rotted transmission ground strap. The vehicle at that time had 54,274 miles on it. It had to go to the dealership in Johnston RI to be repaired. In December 2015 I had to replace a broken motor mount. My mechanic also stated that the control arm needs to be replaced. He called the dealership in Johnston RI and was told the parts on the 2012 control arm had been replaced with what the 2013 Fiat has because of poor engineering and that we would have to buy 2 lower ball joints, axles and knuckle bearings. The cost 1,800 not including labor. He asked if it was a recall and was told it was not. They advised him that if the vehicle was still under warranty and under 60,000 miles they would cover it. My anger comes from that vehicle would have been covered had the dealership done the right thing when the car was there in 2014. They knew at that time those parts were faulty. January I broke down and needed to be towed because of the Alternator and battery. February I need a thermostat, sensor and housing. What next???? I called Fiat to complain and all they could say over and over again “The cost of parts denied and the vehicle is out of warranty””!!!! Im not asking about reimbursement on all the other repairs. They just need to do the right thing and stand behind the faulty parts when they knew it was an issue. Not to mention you can only get the parts from the dealership and they are rude and difficult to deal with. The cost I just shelled out for the alternator 389.70 and battery 155.69. Total for that repair with labor 741.98. I purchased the vehicle for 9,000 after my trade in. I am so angry I just want to get rid of this vehicle but can’t. I still owe 6,000 on it and when I looked up the Kelly blue book the car is worth 3,000. All I want is for them to repair this control arm issue with no cost to me and they won’t!!!!! Learn from me and before you buy do lots of research. The parts are very expensive and the dealership and customer service are sneaky and very rude to deal with.