Fiat 500

FIAT’S FUEL EFFICIENT CITY CAR

The 500 has been a great success story for Fiat, offering buyers a cute, retro citycar at affordable prices. With over 1.5 million sold since 2007, the Italian brand has decided it was time for an update. There's nothing too radical here, but it should usefully refresh this car's appeal. The experts and Car & Driving investigate.

Ten Second Review

Fiat's trendy little 500 citycar may look little different but it's been significantly improved. Outside, the only changes are a re-styled front grille and sleeker rear tail lights, but under the skin, the Italian brand claims that over 1,800 modifications have been made. There are cleverer infotainment systems across the range, extra efficiency under the bonnet and more options in terms of personalisation.

Background

If ever a car has built its brand, it's this one, Fiat's 500. In fact, it's done so twice. First at its original launch back in 1957. And more recently with this modern era version, first launched in 2008. Ever since, it's been a money-spinner for the Italian brand, who've never stopped trying to improve it. We got quite a wide-ranging package of updates in early 2014 that added a more powerful 105bhp TwinAir petrol unit to the line-up and gave buyers of more expensive versions the company's 'UConnect' infotainment technology.

Driving Experience

Fiat promise improvements to both ride and handling for this revised 500, though this will probably be of limited interest to the car's urban-minded audience. The petrol engine range is pretty familiar from before, which means that the entry level option is still a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four cylinder petrol unit with 69PS. Cars fitted with this engine now receive bigger brakes to help safety and get the option of an 'Eco' package. Spend a little more and you can choose one of the two far more modern and efficient 'TwinAir' two cylinder turbocharged petrol powerplants, with either 85PS or 105PS. There's a 95bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet engine option if you want it. Plus, as before, there are potent 1.4-litre turbo petrol Abarth models on offer for hot hatch fans.

Go for a 500 with a TwinAir petrol unit, as many buyers will, and you'll find that the engine can get a bit vocal if you work it hard. Even then though, the gruff, slightly throbby note is characterful rather than unpleasant and around town, refinement is more than acceptable. If you are urban-bound, you might also want to consider the optional (but rather jerky) Dualogic gearbox, a kind of manual transmission without a clutch. Unless you like all that left-foot pumping of course. City dwellers will also appreciate the tight 9.3m turning circle.

Design and Build

Fiat would've been unwise to mess with the 500's shape too much, so sensibly, they've kept exterior styling tweaks to the minimum with this improved model. As before, there's a single three-door bodystyle, though you can order it in soft-topped '500C' form if you like the idea of having an electric fabric-folding roof. As for those design changes, well up front, there's a sleeker chrome grille that sits below revised headlights and is positioned at more of an angle than before. Between these two elements are smarter daytime running lights, with a shape that echoes the zeros of the '500' logo. Rounding the front off are updated chrome trims and a ribbed bonnet that that looks a little more stylish.

Market and Model

As before, there's a choice of fixed-top and convertible 500 models. The open-topped 500C variants require a premium of around £2,500 over their standard counterparts. If you're happy with tin-top 500 motoring, then you'll find pricing that's a fraction higher than before, yet which still starts just shy of £11,000 for the baseline 1.2-litre Pop version. Above this variant, you can upgrade yourself to 'Pop Star' trim, which opens access to the TwinAir engine options you'll probably want. You'll need a £15,000 budget for top 'Lounge' trim. While there are cheaper and more practical cars out there, these prices are on par with other style led hatchbacks like Vauxhall's ADAM - and they undercut what you'd pay for a comparable MINI Hatch 3-door. Key options include the Dualogic semi-auto gearbox which requires a premium of around £750.

500 models are safe too, with a five star Euro NCAP safety rating, seven airbags, ABS with electronic brake distribution, electronic stability control, a Hill Holder clutch to make pulling away on an incline easier and hydraulic brake assistance to help with emergency stops.

Cost of Ownership

One of the advantages of such a small car is that tiny fuel efficient engines are more than adequate for hauling you and your little Fiat around. Even the basic 1.2-litre model is capable of 60.1mpg on the combined cycle, while producing 110g/km of CO2. These figures improve to 62.8mpg and 105g/km if you go for the optional Dualogic semi-auto gearbox. Or 65.7mpg and 99g/km if you go for the 'ECO' version. The economy champion for petrol buyers is the 85PS TwinAir petrol variant, a car capable of 74.3mpg and 90g/km of CO2 (or 2g/km less if you opt for the Dualogic 'box). Even the quickest 105PS TwinAir model manages 67.3mpg and emissions of 99g/km. For the 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel, the figures are 83.1mpg on the combined cycle and 89g/km of CO2. If you decide to go for the open-topped 500C variant with any of these engines, you'll see no penalty for either economy or emissions.

Summary

To be honest, Fiat hasn't needed to do a whole lot to retain this 500 model's popularity. It still looks great, it's always been fun to drive and providing the pricing doesn't get too ambitious, the market remains there for it. As for this updated version, well the interior improvements are welcome as is the extra technology. And there are plenty of extra personalisation options for Fiat dealers to talk about in the showroom.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: FIAT 500 range

PRICES: [3-door Hatch] £11,050 - £17,180 – on the road

INSURANCE GROUPS: 7-18

CO2 EMISSIONS: 89-111g/km

PERFORMANCE: [0.9 TwinAir 105PS] 0-62mph 10.0s/ top speed 117mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [0.9 TwinAir 85PS] (combined) 74.3mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Seven airbags, ABS with electronic brake distribution & brake assistance, electronic stability control

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 3546/1627/1488mm