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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  So Far so good - 2012 Fiat 500
  By carlonz - February 8 - 10:17 am

  We bought a 2012 pop c in February 2013 for my wife. She thought it was a great looking car and we were trading a Mini Cooper. We only have 3000 miles on it so its hard to say it has been a great car. We have had to have the headliner replaced already - really, the headliner... Anyway, my wife still likes the car. It gets good gas mileage although she doesnt drive it often. Interior parts are cheap plastic but we havent had anything break yet. Service department is OK to deal with, BUT my one major complaint so far is that FIAT doesnt offer courtesy cars to drive if they have to keep your car which is different from any other manufacturer I have ever dealt with.

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  From Pop to this little monster - 2013 Fiat 500
  By hb1578 - January 4 - 2:13 pm

  Why I like this car? because Im a Scorpius, Why I get this car? because Im a Scorpius, and why I keep this car? because its a scorpion. Scorpius people always like choose something that others usually dont, many of my friends dont understand why I get a little car like this? but, why would I get a corolla? this little Abarth, its small, its easy to park in the city, its mean, its fun, its fast, it growl like a super car(on the happy meal menu), its full of excitement, its characteristic. I enjoy driving it everyday without worry about finding parking space(I live in SF, you know what I mean if youve been here). The customer service is excellent in SF and San Jose dealer.

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  Truly is more fun to the gallon! - 2013 Fiat 500
  By barbinwoods - September 9 - 6:22 pm

  Traded in a 2010 Prius for my 2013 FIAT Pop four-dr hatchback. Bright Yellow. I loved the Prius but did not care for the Service Dept for Toyota in my area. Happy to not have to return to them. My FIAT has six-gears Automatic transmission. It has a Sport Mode button. I live in a hilly region of AR and appreciate the sports-car feel of my FIAT 500. Attended a FIAT Rally recently with 22 FIAT 500s. Great time on mountainous roads! Staff from Landers in Benton AR made it all the more fun. I highly recommend both the car and the people from Landers.

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  500 lounge, with every option - 2012 Fiat 500
  By phatgreatwall - July 12 - 10:06 am

  car is fun to drive, gets really good mileage, steering tie rod end was loose after 30,000km, replaced under warranty. buy this car only for the fun and new factor, definitely a chicks car, but i see too many old italian guys driving it......

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  Fiat 500-The City Dweller - 2012 Fiat 500
  By heiliner1 - April 24 - 7:37 pm

  Our household has two 2012 Fiat 500 Pops, 20 serial numbers apart. Both vehicles have around 2000 miles on them. On one vehicle the oxygen sensor has failed. On the other vehicle the glove box is out of alignment. We bought these Fiats because they are cute, easy to get in and out of, easy to park, and had low initial purchase prices. Considering the standard features there wasnt another car in that size range that offered as much.

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  loved my FIAt...for first 5 months...hated Chrysler/Bob Baker Carlsbad :( - 2012 Fiat 500
  By chiariello - April 3 - 8:00 pm

  bought brand new car, only 3K miles, sometimes it would start, sometimes it wouldnt...not a good feature in a car! at first dealer suggested I was doing something wrong, but after having it towed 3 X, they finally realized I wasnt making this up. It was there for 2 months, I asked them finally for replacement (lemon law, which my car, which was sadly the case) so they dragged their feet for another month, plus charged me for mileage on the poor car they sold me. It was extortion, but after 3 months I paid it just to get a car....I dont think the service dept was at fault, they simply couldnt figure out whats wrong, but the dealer didnt help us at all, and Chrysler was even worse.

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  Fun to look and drive, but too many problems - 2012 Fiat 500
  By vince_ - December 12 - 2:13 pm

  Too many issues for a new car, even if they fix all the problems for free. I like the car, it performs as expected. It is a city car, easy to park, drives very well from 0-40, and able to handle the highway. The convertible top makes for a fun summer drive. I get great mileage, 31 in rush hour bumper to bumper traffic, if I take it easy I have no problems surpassing the est highway and getting 41. So far I have had two ignition coils go bad, one resulting in being stranded. The radio failed to work when very cold, and now 1/2 the climate controls have gone dark. They have fixed all the problems free of charge, but the longer I own it the more I fear "What next will go wrong?

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  Hardcore Hatchback! - 2013 Fiat 500
  By rreichar - December 8 - 10:04 pm

  Fiat was a sponsor of the US Grand Prix in Austin and had some Abarths on display. I really liked the look of the thing. Nice interior but not as quirky as a Mini Cooper. For such a tiny car it just looked mean. A week later I test drove one. I decided that buying the car just didnt make sense for me. A week later I bought one. Sense had nothing to do with it. This car is loud, raw and rides like an ox cart. It is also FUN! I traded in the best car I ever owned, a 2012 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI, that averaged 40 mpg. The Abarth seats look great but hurt my back. The shifter is rubbery. It could use a sixth gear. It only holds 10 gallons of gas. Go drive one. You will either get it or not....

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  Fun little commuter car - 2012 Fiat 500
  By f360f1 - August 15 - 9:02 am

  I bought my 2012 Sport as a replacement for a string of Volkswagens, most recently a GTI, mostly because I wanted something a little different and I was impressed with the design. The 500 has not disappointed so far. I get more compliments/questions about it than any car other than my Ferrari. I have had no problems with it so far, although I have only had it for about a month. It is fun to drive, recognizing that it underpowered and one really has to rev it to make it go. I am getting great mileage -- a real 33 mpg driving to work in city traffic if I drive like an old lady 31 or so otherwise.

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  Feeling Regret - 2012 Fiat 500
  By kiehen - May 30 - 11:26 pm

  Back in June of 2011 when I bought my 500, I cant even tell you how excited I was. I had been waiting for these to hit the States for several years. Loved (and still do love) the retro look. Efficient and fun to drive? Most definitely. Quality is where the 500 falls short. I understand cheap materials. Those are to be expected. The unexpected? I just scheduled my 8th service visit. It pains me to say that I have started looking at the best way to get rid of this car with the least amount of loss. With 13,000 miles on it, it acts like a car with 100,000, and that simply doesnt work. Amazing concept, questionable execution. Wish it werent so! My dealers attitude is no help.