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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  Too many repairs - clutch failure not warrantied - 2012 Fiat 500
  By pandacar - April 8 - 7:54 pm

  I want to love this car, but one of the main reasons I bought it was for its affordability and I havent even had it 2 years and Im already paying 10% of the original cost in repairs! I bought it one year used with 11,000 miles on it. Its now 28,000 at miles and its had problems with everything from cosmetic issues like peeling paint, to an air bag sensor failure, to a very serious no-warning clutch failure (which was not covered under warranty after 15,000 miles). The clutch replacement at a FIAT dealer has taken 10 days so far and is costing a small fortune. Its a fun car but just not holding up! I always drove a Subaru or Toyota before and I think it may be time to go back.

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  Very Unhappy - 2012 Fiat 500
  By veryunhappy52 - April 8 - 12:23 pm

  I was driving at a speed of 55 mph when without any warning my car shut off. Thank God I or someone else was not hurt. My fiat is a 2012 with 53000 miles on it. The only thing Ive had to do is replace both brake lights at the same time and a headlight. When the car died, I could not get my key out of the ignition nor could I get the car out of gear. It had totally locked up. Just called the dealership and the car wont even communicated with the computer to find out whats wrong. Sounds expensive to me.

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  2013 Abarth manual - highest fun/$ - 2013 Fiat 500
  By paul_abarth - March 23 - 11:47 am

  You have to try it.. you may love or hate it - but it really is a fun car for enthusiast drivers. Great value, provided you dont pay the MSRP (I got mine (with 3 year tire insurance - which I already used once for a repair) for 19K US$ + tax with end of year discounts of 6K.) Was considering other small/light fun cars such as the Mini/Mazda Mx5/BRZ-FRS, but for similar performance/features it would be 10K more, anyway, I just kind of fell in love with it after a test drive. With the 17-inch wheels and P-zero tires this light weight car feels fast and nimble, not always stable on the edge. Provided you keep it in the mid-rev range the torque is strong and turbo lag is not an issue.

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  2013 Fiat Sport Manual Black on Black w/Leather Seats - 2013 Fiat 500
  By packers14 - March 22 - 7:27 pm

  We purchased this little beauty new on 12/29/13, so we have owned it now for 15 months. The wife is 52" and I am 511". We both fit comfortably whether driving or riding. The wife is the primary driver and loves everything about this car, the look (with the chrome appearance package) the acceleration (with the manual), the ride comfort (with the leather seating), the upright seating position for a great all around view, and the wonderful handling. The Sport model is the Fiat 500 to get. The Sport model offers much better handling than the Pop model, but does not diminish ride comfort, especially when the leather seating upgrade is included. Also, huge difference with "stick" vs "auto".

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  Italian Tardis - 2013 Fiat 500
  By Michael Gagliano - March 13 - 9:38 pm

  I bought a used 2013 with 7k miles and an automatic transmission and use it as our "fun" car for my daily work commute. Weve got 4 kids and our other car is a minivan so this Fiat is a much needed injection of small car sprightliness and tossable fun. Great commuter car. I am amazed at how much "bigger on the inside" (for the Dr Who fans) it feels compared to how it looks from outside. Perhaps its the tallness of the cabin but the front 2 seats are plenty big for adults, comfortable and well supported. Plus I just like that its small. Ive owned an SUV and it always felt like I was carrying around a bunch of extra space back there. Not so with this.

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  Great value but some issues - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Kristina Colpitts - March 12 - 9:28 pm

  I love the retro look and feel, the interior is gorgeous but there are a few issues with my 3 yr old 50,000KM 500C. I bought it 3 years old and a few days ago Ive started to hear some creaking noises on the passenger side and back, sounds almost like the plastic on the doors is not put together tightly... I cant figure out what it is exactly but its SUPER annoying.

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  2015 FIAT 500 Pop (1.4 l gas, 5 Speed Manual) - 2015 Fiat 500
  By reviewer83 - March 11 - 12:18 am

  Although the MSRP is $16,000, I paid $13,000 for a brand new 2015 model on Black Friday after a lot of negotiating. While the price is the best feature of this car, putting an affordable nice new car within reach of anyone at any income level, the FIAT just has so many other great qualities on top of that. It gets 40 miles per gallon on the freeway, and I average 34, including city driving, in my typical commute. It easily reaches freeway speeds and feels very safe and comfortable at 75 MPH. It has excellent handling in all circumstances. The interior was actually "designed," not "thrown together." The manual transmission is very fun to drive with, even when its not in sport mode.

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  Fun car - just hope nothing breaks - 2012 Fiat 500
  By centraca - January 26 - 1:47 pm

  I have really enjoyed my 2012 FIAT Sport. It is a fun car to drive, but there are issues. at 61,000 miles I am having to put in a new transmission, as the pressure plate has failed. I am not the only one, I am now at two weeks without my car, waiting on the parts. Everything that has needed to be done on this car takes a long time for the parts to come in. If you are considering a FIAT, turn around and RUN away from these cars.

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  Do NOT buy this Car!!!! - 2013 Fiat 500
  By ray2172 - January 23 - 6:08 pm

  I have a 2013 Abarth. I will start on a High note and say that it is a Blast to drive, sounds great, and is an amazing small performance car. Now for the bad! I bought mine used with 4100 miles on it for about $10000 less than a brand new one, $27,500 sticker price. This should have been a sign that they dont hold their value at all. I missed having a larger car and wanted to trade it in, they offered $14,000 trade in with 6000 miles on it. Now with 16,700 miles on it I have had a brand new radiator put in it and have an appointment for a speedometer that stopped working today! Do yourself a favor and by a Honda Civic Si,VW GTi or Ford ST! I wish I had taken my own Advise!

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  Perfec t little car - 2015 Fiat 500
  By frankbq - January 22 - 4:29 pm

  We have driven this little Italian car and we just love it very reliable no problems at all just gas and oil change, very good on gas confortable city car.