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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  great car - 2012 Fiat 500
  By larry kritzell - October 27 - 1:03 am

  its very small , so if you are not crazy about small cars and if you are 6ft 3 in and 240 lbs with a lard bucket rear end you should look elsewhere . its the most fun on 4 wheels that I have ever had !

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  Great Vehicle for What it Is - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Troy - May 13 - 3:02 pm

  If you are looking at a vehicle large enough to haul the family or a trendy sports car with lots of power then the FIAT 500 Pop is not your vehicle. But if you are looking for a small, comfortable, affordable ride for you and your significant other then the 500 Pop is a perfect purchase. The 500 Pop is surprisingly powerful off the line, shifts smoothly, rides quietly even at 85-90 MPH, and gets great MPG. It is more roomy and comfortable up front than expected. It is, obviously, a little cramped in the back. While the hatch allows you to fit most anything you need, keep in mind that it is not the perfect vehicle for packing all of your worldly possessions. Just know understand what you are buying and you will not be disappointed.

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  What a Gem! - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Kathy Upton - February 19 - 6:32 am

  I bought my 2012 Fiat with a standard transmission to make a 120 mile round trip daily. The ONLY complaint I have, is the comfort of the seat after extended driving. Of course this could be due to my age, but Im going to blame it on the length of the seat. The only work I have had to do on the car is the standard oil changes (get ramps, youll need them to get under this car), new tires and the license plate light went out. That was fairly costly, as you cant just replace the bulb. The entire handle had to be replaced. I was averaging 41 MPG but since I have just been using it to dart around town, the mileage has dropped to 38.2 MPG. I love, love, love this little car!

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  CPop popped!!!!! - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Gayle Gavin - January 12 - 2:00 pm

  It was a fun car that was a joy to drive. It doesnt pretend to be a Corvette. Its a Fiat and proud of it.

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  Little Red Cherry Pepper - 2012 Fiat 500
  By D Cozz - October 6 - 2:37 am

  Cars great to me. Single guy, and tall, and car is fun, dependable and has just enough bells and whistles for me: bucket seats, great stereo, good heat/ac... I get more compliments on this car than I did on my mini-cooper. Maybe its the rosso brilliant paint... Going on fourth year and hope to have for many yrs more... 21k so far, and always excited to get bend the wheel and go for a ride... For the price paid, Im happy...

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  Sporty little car with a big personality! - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Brad Johnson - June 12 - 11:53 pm

  I was in the market to buy a car for my son, a high school senior who will be college-bound next year and in need of good, reliable, safe wheels under him. The Fiat 500c seemed the perfect fit, literally - my son is 6 5" and he slipped right in to the drivers seat with ease. There was plenty of head and leg room, once the tilt wheel and seat were adjusted. This car handles extremely well and is very tight on turns. What surprised me was the amount of interior space - the outside appearance is deceiving, as once you get inside, it is a well distributed area for 4 people. Equally so is the trunk space, which provides a deep, larger-than-expected compartment for all kinds of storage. Even better is the feature of the split rear seat, which folds down and allows for larger items to fit from the folded down seat to the trunk space. Very smooth ride - takes those bumps in the road really well which reflects a good suspension system. Plus, its a convertible !! Whats better than that? Although I have firmly told my son that he is not to put the top down and stand up while driving, with his feet on the wheel....! Also comes with some nice options like a 7-speaker Bose sound system, fog lights, hands-free Blue-tooth phone system, heated seats and special chrome trim that comes with the "Lounge" (high end) model. It is a great little car that is super on gas and a blast to drive - my son loves it. Life is too short, and for a car in this price range, loosen up and go grab some fun. You wont be sorry!

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  Love my Fiat 500 C Pop - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Anthony - May 10 - 8:15 am

  I have owned several Fiats through the years and i can honestly say, they are misunderstood. I have had a 1974 124 Sport, which was fun as could be to drive. I owned a 1980 Fiat 2000 Spider convertible ( also known as a 124). That was a blast to drive. I went through a midlife crisis and got another 1981 Fiat Spider convertible, this will always put a smile on your face, something about the top down and the wind in your hair and face. Forward to the 2012 Fiat 500C Pop, what a great design to put a cloth retractable top inside the roof pillars, much safer and way cooler. The car rides and feels like a big car, it is very solid and sure footed. I am 6 foot 1 and have plenty of room and I find the front seating extremely roomy and comfortable. I always sit in the back whenever i purchase a vehicle to see how much headroom and legroom my less fortunate passengers will have. While i am an empty nester, i tend to flop the rear seats down and create a nice little cargo hauling area that is very practical for hauling my two dogs around or for groceries. I bought my car used with 20,000 miles on it in 2014, i have since put 60,000 miles with regular oil changes and tire rotations. i have changed my own spark plugs twice, which is fairly simple, as is changing the air filter and cabin filter. I purchased an aftermarket warranty, but I have never needed to use it. There was a recall on a manual clutch spring replacement, where they also have to replace the brake sensor, but that was covered under the recall. I am sad that the cars do not hold their resale value, but I believe that the 500 C model was done correctly. I know there have been alot of complaints with the 500 L 4 door, but that is a different engine and model altogether. I love my 500C Pop convertible manual transmission. If you dont know about manual transmissions, they are the best kept secret. They are a lot more fun to drive. You are more involved with the driving experience and that is what you are doing driving! therefore one tends to pay more attention. I spoke with a used car salesman recently and he stated that he specifically bought a manual transmission vehicle for his daughter.... Because she would not be able to text and drive! She was initially upset.. but she thanked him later for this. Something to think about. I have had my Fiat up to 101 MPH and it rides the same at all speeds, 50-70 is the perfect speed for this vehicle, I cant stress enough , the big car feel. This is something American cars are getting better at, but I honestly do not know if I will ever buy American. I have owned several German cars and brands and there is nothing quite like their feel for the road, however reliablity and parts and pricing is a different story. I have owned Japanese and Korean and found them to be the most reliable. To make a long story short, on a beautiful day with the top down and a nice day trip planned with you and that special someone, I highly reccomend that you take the route less traveled in the vehicle (Fiat 500C Pop, Manual) less driven. You will not be disappointed. Just do your homework and check the car fax maintenance records. Good solid car, great gas mileage, unlimited smiles and Italian sexy.

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  Better than a Honda - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Dave - October 18 - 3:13 am

  Very reliable. No mechanical issues. A great, fun little car. Tony hasnt even had to fix it once! If FIAT keeps making them like this, poor Tonys going to go broke.

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  A smile that lasts a lifetime - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Joel - October 8 - 11:39 am

  First off, my car was purchased on a whim I didn’t do any research before buying it. I didn’t need the car as I already had an suv. I was bored one day drove down to the Fiat store and the rest is history. I bought a 2015 brown fiat 500 pop. 101 hp, now it does feel underpowered in automatic mode, but I drive it in the manual mode all the time and I get better response time. So I think 101hp is manageable. I commute between towns which is about 90 miles one way. I average 36mpg on the commute! Bout $20-25 fills the tank which gets me about 364 miles give or take. The engine is stock for now, I am playing with the idea of trading it in for an Abarth. However, for what the pop offers, it’s a solid car! I use the pump under the drivers seat all the time to fill my tires with air, I love the convenience of this on board pump. Blue tooth is very handy to have when driving. I feel safe driving the car, it handles turns like a go cart! Plenty of storage with the back seat down. I fit a 55” tv in it once for a local move I made, desperate times call for desperate measures! Cup holders are a bit annoying, but it’s a small car, so I guess this is the best I’ll get out of the car. Vehicle is cheap on repairs! If your mechanically inclined like me, you can save money doing things yourself. I get comments all the time, regarding how cute it looks, or how does it handle, is it good on gas? I would for sure buy the car again! I have not been stranded once other than to replace the battery. Ac blows cold and quick, it does help to have tinted windows. I also have a VW Golf TDI, which our performs my fiat, and gets better mpg, but whenever I drive my fiat there is just this smile I get that’s lasts a lifetime!

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  Eye Catcher - 2012 Fiat 500
  By Laveda Darby - June 9 - 9:23 pm

  The car is small but it is great on gas and it serves it purpose. If I get another car it will be a Fiat I love the car.