Overview & Reviews

Fiat is one of the earliest and grandest names in automobiles, dating from the establishment of Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino ("FIAT") in 1899. During the early years, its racing cars were the envy of every nation. Later on, the Fiat Topolino ("Little Mouse") was as famous as the Volkswagen KDF (subsequently known as the "Beetle") in the 1930s and '40s. The 1950s saw Fiat put much of Italy on wheels with the hugely popular 500, sparking the "Italian Miracle," a renaissance of European consumer products.

Sadly, the company's fortunes in the United States were mixed. Here, the Fiat 1500 won over a fair share of enthusiasts in the mid-'60s, and the early-'70s saw the Fiat 850 (Spider and Coupe) become popular among college students. Yet the Pininfarina-designed Fiat 124 sports car did the most to keep the Fiat image alive in America, as cars like the front-wheel-drive 128 and midengine X1/9 ultimately failed. Even Lancia, Fiat's premium brand, withered quickly after an introduction in the mid-'70s. Ultimately, Fiat's poor reputation for quality and its inability to cope with ever more stringent emissions regulations led the Italian company to pull out of the U.S. market altogether in 1984.

In 2000, General Motors acquired a stake in Fiat as part of a joint venture to create a new generation of small, affordable cars for Europe. GM's financial troubles led to the unraveling of this agreement in 2005, but Fiat had invested the GM money wisely in new air emissions technology. When the bankruptcy of Chrysler took place in 2008, Fiat saw an opportunity to return to the U.S. In 2009, Fiat acquired a controlling interest in Chrysler.

The Fiat 500, debuting for 2012, was the first of Fiat's new generation of cars to come stateside. Staying true to its lineage, the new 500 is very small, nimble and stylish. In addition to the 500 coupe, there are also the 500 convertible and hot-rod 500 Abarth to further tempt those looking for a small car with plenty of personality. More recently, Fiat has expanded its lineup with the fully electric 500e and the family-friendly, four-door 500L.

User Reviews:

• 

  Fiat 500E rocks! - 2013 Fiat 500e
  By bbergholdt - November 1 - 10:47 pm

  Just leased this. Really impressed with fit, finish and fun to drive performance! Easy to exceed rated MPGe. With sweet lease deal, total cost of car is less than I was spending on gasoline alone, each month. Range is OK, better than others except Tesla and Volt. Getting by with included slooow 120V charge device, others may desire $800 optional fast charger. Costs $1 per day for electricity to drive 40 miles, previous vehicle was $10 per day for gas. Very impressive car, hope future models offer extended range and lower cost batteries. My SUV will last forever, now parked except when needed!

• 

  First Fiat - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By redgoldkc - September 12 - 9:24 pm

  This is a great looking small car with a surprising amount of interior room. I love the emerald green color that I selected. It is recommended to use premium gas and the engine does seem to run smoother and more responsive with premium gas. I am not sold on this "automated manual" transmission. It feels somewhat unstable and it is difficult to shift from park to reverse when parked on hill with the front of the car higher than the rear. The gas mileage is subpar for a small front wheel drive car. I have averaged 25mpg in primarily city driving. Overall, this car has it perks and drawbacks. As for competitors: Soul and Juke were too much of a kid car. Encore cramped and Mini CM pricey

• 

  One of the best Ive ever owned - 2012 Fiat 500
  By robhmass - September 12 - 6:30 pm

  Bought mine with optional alloy wheels, sunroof, and a couple of other options in April 2012. Got a great price. Had the car now for 17 months & have driven 38,000 miles with no mechanical problems. There was a service bulletin recall concerning ungrounded starter bolts which the dealership fixed promptly along with a blown bi-halogen headlight(probably related to the ungrounded starter bolts). However, service tech did not unhook the battery while replacing starter bolts and shorted out the climate control panel. So, now, the car is back @ the dealer to replace this. Dealer did give a loaner. Absolutely no other issues. Car is great on gas(38-40mpg mostly highway) and fun, fun to drive.

• 

  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.

• 

  Broke Down Already!! - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By lisanomni - September 6 - 10:55 pm

  I bought my Fiat 500L about 3 weeks ago. I was on my way to work, when it started shaking and the transmission light came on. I had to wait for Fiat to open and the car had to be towed in. This Maxwell Supercenter has no clue how to repair the car and I have been without it for a week. The manager, Jack M., has been Very difficult and even though I got a call today, after 7 days, I do not feel comfortable and safe in My Fiat. I plan to return it. The GM (Lisa C.) here at Austin Fiat has no concern and when my attorney confronts her with the Lemon Law and demands a refund, maybe she will sing a different tune? I have been stunned at the poor service I have received!

• 

  Fiat 500 sport - 2012 Fiat 500
  By fixitagaintony - August 16 - 8:40 am

  I bought it new with 60000 klm warranty. Most of my problems started after that and when I got to 85000 I traded it in for a honda fit. When I traded it the following repairs were required. Air conditioning not working, front end repairs for $1600. Leaking heater core, high beams that wont go to low. Brake power unit for $900. Paid 18000 and got 8000 on trade after 16 months and 85000 klm. MY dealer experience was awful. The salesmen were busy fighting over me, that on delivery I got the wrong car ( ordered white with bose stereo and got Grey with standard stereo.) Service dept. was not much better, as my request to return old parts for me to inspect were ignored. (commisons)

• 

  Fiat 500L automatic - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By jimofdenver500 - August 13 - 5:08 pm

  I really like my new 500L but it does not like me. After 6 days, 350ml, it broke down in stop and go traffic on I-25 outside Denver. The twin clutch automatic heated up, smoked and therefore the system shut down. Had roadside assistance tow it back to the Fiat dealer. After setting for three days the car started okay and was drivable. The dealer could not find any problems, the engineer in Italy could not find any problem with the readout data. Their comment was that with the stop and go traffic the 500L twin clutch automatic acted "normally". So what am I to do?? Not drive the car in USA stop and go traffic?! Fiat USA is still working with me so hopefully there will be a positive outcome.

• 

  Very happy but disapponted - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By rafaelsfo - August 5 - 4:09 pm

  I really LOVE this car, after last year test driving several cars (soul, mazda, crv, tiguan, etc) , finally found this one to replace my old Honda crv 2000 , I quite love the space and size of the car, and its response to aceleration, my friends like the space in the back seats, is a very good looking car, the BUT is , after a week only , had an issue with the engine /oil , disapointing in a new car, things like this can happen, and will see if after the fix, car performs well and no more issues.

• 

  ! un happy Camper - 2012 Fiat 500
  By lemonbuyer2 - August 3 - 11:57 am

  I bought this turbo sport 4 days ago and its been in the shop twice already for repair, brand new car with 100 miles already has problems. I wished I had never seen the thing . I dont reccomend this car to anyone, ever. I will probably end up using the lemon law on this one , what a shame.

• 

  Second Fiat - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By bobfl3 - July 19 - 2:48 pm

  I loved my 2012 500c but found myself needing something a little larger. I traded in the cabrio for the new 500L and am very pleased with it so far. Ive only driven 500 miles on the new one, so time will tell if it is as reliable as the little 500 was. Im very happy with the Dual Dry Clutch Automatic. It is fuel efficient and has the pick up I need for merging into heavy traffic on the highway. Taller people fit well in the car, even with the sunroof. The car has an excellent ride quality and everything works as it should. It is comfortable, has great visibility, plus its fun to drive.