While you are correct Tom in pointing out that if you want performance, this car isn't for most people. But wait...that may be true with most of the 500 models across the board. But obviously you haven't looked into the 500 Abarth. If you're looking for performance to go along with the Fiat's good looks and quirkiness, the Abarth is most certainly the way to go. It is a wicked fun little vehicle.
FIAT IS LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF THE GERMANS WITH ITS ENGINE DESIGN AND HAS WON ENGINE OF THE YEAR RECENTLY WITH ITS TWIN AND MULTIAIR TEC, THIS WILL ALSO BE SEEN IN THE NEW CHRYSLERS AND WILL BRING THIS BRAND INTO THE 21ST CENTURY REGARDING EMMISSIONS ETC.
HOW ABOUT 180BHP FROM A 1.4 LTR TURBO ENGINE RETURNING OVER
40 MPG, WELL THATS A REALITY WITH THE FIAT BRAND.
Skoda is a budget car with the jokes to match and is driven in Europe especially the UK by very old gentlemen, very uncool.
bmwmakecrap is a one jealous and pathetoic troll who drives a nasty embarrassing Skoda! Yeah, a seriously ugly Skoda Labia, or granny wagon as its known. The Fiat 500 is a multi award winning world icon - no shitty Skoda can claim that. What self respecting person lusts after cheap Czech junk?? Buy a Fiat and be proud. Skodas are cheap VWs chosen buy tight old farts on a budget - see Briskoda Forum and you'll find plenty of build issues - Fiat's are quality cars with bags of style, Skoda's suck!
@u1430 ; I wouldn't worry about the Skoda troll below, our American cousins are very knowledgable with regards to the car and will easily see that a Skoda is a lemon, most Ferraris and Maserati's are bought by North Americans
who apprieciate a stylish Italian car and i'm sure the Abarth and Alfa romeo brands will be just as popular.
Be aware of Fiats poor build quality and reliability issues, especially with the 500 . There are braking issues, and in a recent reliability survey, the 500 came 85th out of 100 - hardly confidence inspiring. Avoid it - and thats coming from an ex-Fiat dealer.....
I love the color, drove a Sport in this color and automatic and loved it. I drove the base five speed and loved it too. It was very quiet and rode very well. I liked it better than the Mini Cooper..which I liked too. It has higher seats and better looks.
@AronAirlines Its very rare that I find a car that doesn't require me to put the seat all the way back to fit in it. Just because you don't doesn't mean others won't. The tester is showing worst case, which is reasonable. As for the 500, if you are hauling 4 people around on a regular basis you should look for something else. For two people and a few bags of groceries the 500 will be adequate.
I am not short and I fit in the back fine......and by the way I drove the 5-speed and it is great. 30city and 38 highway....and ever car I ever had always does better than EPA
Funny, informative. Was curious about the body size compared to the Mini - thanks! But the manual transmission? More info would've been nice as to why you don't like it.
@AronAirlines I did not drive the Fiat, but I drove the New MINI (this is what it is called, not just Mini). With the front seat adjusted for myself there was no legroom for the rear passenger. This is was one of the reasons I did not buy it, because if I wanted a car that fits only two people, I would buy a proper two-seater. Which I did.
I love the car's color. I am so bored of white, black, gray and silver. Only Mazda3, VW Beetle and Ford Fiesta have fun colors, everything else is boooring!
Lol @ premium fuel... Way to miss the point. This is why toyota does so well; they sell you a well-made vehicle only . They don't try and sell you an identity, or convince you that a car is anything but an appliance.
@AronAirlines FYI, when I test the back seat I always do it with the pilot's seat adusted for a comfortable driving position and the passenger seat an inch or two closer than that to the instrument panel. The 500 just doesn't have much room back there. And that's OK, there are pleny of people who seldom if ever have more than one passenger in their cars. TV
@ActionBastard85 38 mpg highway. as well as being able to better utilize your engines capabilities. premium fuel is much better, but not in cars castrated to run 87. trust me it works out better for you. its a slower burn, which is essential for high compression (good) engines.
@fran1244 "The Yankees don't know about cars. Continue to pollute ..."
Interestingly, europeans don;t know about cars, since they live in ass size countries their percpetion of having a car is much different than Americans. They can walk to their super market even in suburban areas. In the US however, there is no way you can do your shopping without a car even in decent size cities. So dear europeans, take deep breath and try to digest hard that not everyone has to live the way you do.
Id like to see a car like this with better MPG. It has all the useful characteristics of a small car but 34 Hmpg just aint gonna cut it for me. I know its good and I know thats not the point of the fiat but still. BTW great review again DCR. Great job keeping it relevant too, since this car is just arriving in the US. I still say you are the best car reviewers on here. nothing fancy just great information with good presentation. keep it up.
@adulby I agree. I want to upgrade to something newer and more efficient than my old, gas guzzling Volvo. This 500 really appeals to me. It's stylish, looks to be of good quality from what I gather, and is relatively affordable. However, 38mpg hwy rather sucks for such a tiny car these days. The upcoming Hyundai Accent is a little bigger, and has better projected fuel economy. The current Elantra is rated 40mpg and is significantly larger.
@ilovecars1996 i drove the manual and really it isnt. it was my first time driving a stick and i never would had considered buying the manual but i would most def consider it
@ilovecars1996 The manual is great in the UK! I've driven two recently and its definitely great, nice short shifts on a small gear stick. What's not too like about that?
@ilovecars1996 Some writers who have driven it prefer it to the automatic, to me it had an odd feel. I always suggest that people who are really interested in a car to specifically check these things out for themselves. In the end, you're the one living with the car so who cares what I think, right? Half the writers at the press event HATED the green color of my tester, the others though it was the perfect retro shade. Go figure...
While you are correct Tom in pointing out that if you want performance, this car isn't for most people. But wait...that may be true with most of the 500 models across the board. But obviously you haven't looked into the 500 Abarth. If you're looking for performance to go along with the Fiat's good looks and quirkiness, the Abarth is most certainly the way to go. It is a wicked fun little vehicle.
kl0525288 2 months ago
I just came back from Italy and everybody was driving this damn car... So now I'm interested as well.... Only one thing, is it a girls car? :o
WonderTracks 4 months ago
FIAT IS LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF THE GERMANS WITH ITS ENGINE DESIGN AND HAS WON ENGINE OF THE YEAR RECENTLY WITH ITS TWIN AND MULTIAIR TEC, THIS WILL ALSO BE SEEN IN THE NEW CHRYSLERS AND WILL BRING THIS BRAND INTO THE 21ST CENTURY REGARDING EMMISSIONS ETC.
HOW ABOUT 180BHP FROM A 1.4 LTR TURBO ENGINE RETURNING OVER
40 MPG, WELL THATS A REALITY WITH THE FIAT BRAND.
Skoda is a budget car with the jokes to match and is driven in Europe especially the UK by very old gentlemen, very uncool.
TheForza1000 6 months ago
Comment removed
TheForza1000 6 months ago
bmwmakecrap is a one jealous and pathetoic troll who drives a nasty embarrassing Skoda! Yeah, a seriously ugly Skoda Labia, or granny wagon as its known. The Fiat 500 is a multi award winning world icon - no shitty Skoda can claim that. What self respecting person lusts after cheap Czech junk?? Buy a Fiat and be proud. Skodas are cheap VWs chosen buy tight old farts on a budget - see Briskoda Forum and you'll find plenty of build issues - Fiat's are quality cars with bags of style, Skoda's suck!
u1430 6 months ago
@u1430 ; I wouldn't worry about the Skoda troll below, our American cousins are very knowledgable with regards to the car and will easily see that a Skoda is a lemon, most Ferraris and Maserati's are bought by North Americans
who apprieciate a stylish Italian car and i'm sure the Abarth and Alfa romeo brands will be just as popular.
TheForza1000 6 months ago
Lol Americans say fiiiiiiiiat:D
TheGregorKhan 7 months ago
Be aware of Fiats poor build quality and reliability issues, especially with the 500 . There are braking issues, and in a recent reliability survey, the 500 came 85th out of 100 - hardly confidence inspiring. Avoid it - and thats coming from an ex-Fiat dealer.....
bmwmakecrap 7 months ago
@bmwmakecrap 85 is very good.
doddsalfa 1 month ago
I love the color, drove a Sport in this color and automatic and loved it. I drove the base five speed and loved it too. It was very quiet and rode very well. I liked it better than the Mini Cooper..which I liked too. It has higher seats and better looks.
3656761 8 months ago
Why do american reviewers always go for automatics? I just don't get it, manuals are just more fun to drive. Nuff said..
rock3tcat 8 months ago
@rock3tcat
i can't drive manual. and i don't think it would be fun to fiddle around with the stick all the time.
orangedac 8 months ago
@AronAirlines Its very rare that I find a car that doesn't require me to put the seat all the way back to fit in it. Just because you don't doesn't mean others won't. The tester is showing worst case, which is reasonable. As for the 500, if you are hauling 4 people around on a regular basis you should look for something else. For two people and a few bags of groceries the 500 will be adequate.
tennsawdust 9 months ago
I am not short and I fit in the back fine......and by the way I drove the 5-speed and it is great. 30city and 38 highway....and ever car I ever had always does better than EPA
metroperson 9 months ago
@metroperson lol me 2, but most people dont drive nearly as sane as the epa expects.
moparmaniac666 7 months ago
I am not short and I fit in the back fine......and by the way I drove the 5-speed and it is great.
metroperson 9 months ago
Funny, informative. Was curious about the body size compared to the Mini - thanks! But the manual transmission? More info would've been nice as to why you don't like it.
TorontoGrrrl 9 months ago
@AronAirlines I did not drive the Fiat, but I drove the New MINI (this is what it is called, not just Mini). With the front seat adjusted for myself there was no legroom for the rear passenger. This is was one of the reasons I did not buy it, because if I wanted a car that fits only two people, I would buy a proper two-seater. Which I did.
I love the car's color. I am so bored of white, black, gray and silver. Only Mazda3, VW Beetle and Ford Fiesta have fun colors, everything else is boooring!
LeadHammer 10 months ago
i looove the colorr
ouzts12 10 months ago
Lol @ premium fuel... Way to miss the point. This is why toyota does so well; they sell you a well-made vehicle only . They don't try and sell you an identity, or convince you that a car is anything but an appliance.
qazwas2001 10 months ago
@AronAirlines FYI, when I test the back seat I always do it with the pilot's seat adusted for a comfortable driving position and the passenger seat an inch or two closer than that to the instrument panel. The 500 just doesn't have much room back there. And that's OK, there are pleny of people who seldom if ever have more than one passenger in their cars. TV
DriveCarReviews 10 months ago
i am driving one with manual, i think it's better than its 6 auto trans.
tequilaki 11 months ago
Premium gas?! WTF is the point then?!
ActionBastard85 11 months ago
@ActionBastard85 Um, you should be able to use regular, seeing as Premium is only recommended.
iAmCodeMonkey 11 months ago
@ActionBastard85 38 mpg highway. as well as being able to better utilize your engines capabilities. premium fuel is much better, but not in cars castrated to run 87. trust me it works out better for you. its a slower burn, which is essential for high compression (good) engines.
moparmaniac666 7 months ago
Funny pronunciation of FIAT.
dd8721 1 year ago
16 grand huh? Here in Australia they start at around 27 grand - and our dollar is roughly the same as the USD! We are ripped off in every aspect!
ClubXrock 1 year ago
The Yankees don't know about cars. Continue to pollute ...
fran1244 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@fran1244 "The Yankees don't know about cars. Continue to pollute ..."
Interestingly, europeans don;t know about cars, since they live in ass size countries their percpetion of having a car is much different than Americans. They can walk to their super market even in suburban areas. In the US however, there is no way you can do your shopping without a car even in decent size cities. So dear europeans, take deep breath and try to digest hard that not everyone has to live the way you do.
Fussinated 1 year ago
@fran1244 Press your face into your Unicorns exhaust system and tell me if it smells like pink cupcakes with sprinkles...Jackass....
gaterunner64 1 year ago
I think Tom Voelk makes the best reviews on youtube
carguy379 1 year ago
i like my 5.0 v8.
DevPack 1 year ago
This is a perfect car for a teenage girl, it is good looking, safe and on the cheap side.
mrmijunte10 1 year ago
Id like to see a car like this with better MPG. It has all the useful characteristics of a small car but 34 Hmpg just aint gonna cut it for me. I know its good and I know thats not the point of the fiat but still. BTW great review again DCR. Great job keeping it relevant too, since this car is just arriving in the US. I still say you are the best car reviewers on here. nothing fancy just great information with good presentation. keep it up.
adulby 1 year ago 7
@adulby I agree. I want to upgrade to something newer and more efficient than my old, gas guzzling Volvo. This 500 really appeals to me. It's stylish, looks to be of good quality from what I gather, and is relatively affordable. However, 38mpg hwy rather sucks for such a tiny car these days. The upcoming Hyundai Accent is a little bigger, and has better projected fuel economy. The current Elantra is rated 40mpg and is significantly larger.
palebeachbum 11 months ago
@adulby In Europe they get better mileage, since they have at least 3 engine options.
The Twin-air 2 cylinder is newest, lighter, achieves same power as its 4 cyl brethen, and gets over 40 mpg.
Should come to the States in the future.
Meanwhile, it's a fantastic little car, great price, and fun to drive!
Ctenosaura 8 months ago
Is the manual really that bad? This is such a small european car you'd think the manual should be the way to go.
ilovecars1996 1 year ago 9
@ilovecars1996
This is the first reviewer who prefers the auto.
He probably don´t know how to drive a manual.
nikandraathelvete 1 year ago
@ilovecars1996 it is automatic sucks but guess he's pretty lazy
posro1988 11 months ago
@ilovecars1996 i drove the manual and really it isnt. it was my first time driving a stick and i never would had considered buying the manual but i would most def consider it
h3e44 11 months ago
@ilovecars1996 The manual is great in the UK! I've driven two recently and its definitely great, nice short shifts on a small gear stick. What's not too like about that?
c27white 10 months ago 2
@ilovecars1996 Some writers who have driven it prefer it to the automatic, to me it had an odd feel. I always suggest that people who are really interested in a car to specifically check these things out for themselves. In the end, you're the one living with the car so who cares what I think, right? Half the writers at the press event HATED the green color of my tester, the others though it was the perfect retro shade. Go figure...
DriveCarReviews 10 months ago
....
Charles2337 1 year ago