Fiat 500s have a special place in the hearts of many. Their tiny size and retro looks make them fun to drive and easy to park.
These little cars have a cult-like following on Instagram and can instantly transport you back to the La Dolce Vita era of Italy. But is the 500 a luxury car?
Price
The Fiat 500 is one of the most affordable vehicles on the market, with a starting price below $20,000. Its nimble size and charming looks make it a fun car to drive. It is a great car for urban driving and can easily maneuver through tight city streets. In addition, it has a decent reliability rating.
The small Italian icon has become a status symbol with its own cult following. The vehicle is often featured in Instagram photos in iconic locations around the world. These images create a nostalgic feeling that evokes the “La Dolce Vita” era of Italy. The Fiat 500 also has a wide range of engine options to meet the needs of different drivers.
While the Fiat 500 isn’t a large car, it can still seat four adults in comfort. It is a great choice for families who want to avoid cramped conditions. Its front seats are spacious and offer ample headroom. However, its rear seat is narrow and may not accommodate tall passengers comfortably.
In the past, the Fiat 500 has been subject to a lot of controversy. Some of the car’s drivers have been accused of promoting gender stereotypes and internalised misogyny. While this is a shame, many people continue to enjoy the vehicle.
The Fiat 500 is a great option for those who want to save money on fuel costs and parking fees. Unlike larger cars, the Fiat 500 is easy to park and drives smoothly on the highway. It is available in both sedan and convertible models. Its interior is comfortable and features a standard 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes with a fixed sunroof and cruise control.
Design
In the world of automobiles, there are few designs as iconic as the Fiat 500. Its retro style, low price, and cheeky personality appeal to many drivers. However, the little car has its limits and does not offer much in terms of advanced technology. For example, a rear-view camera and driver-assistance features are not available. Additionally, the 500 is not well-suited for a family.
Despite its limited passenger space and low power, the little car has an unmistakable charm. Its rounded shape is instantly recognizable and evokes memories of Italy’s La Dolce Vita era. Giacosa wanted the 500 to be a design object that symbolized an era, rather than just a functional vehicle. His soft curved shapes were inspired by limitations in period sheet metal forming techniques. The large radiuses also make the car appear bigger than it is, and they contribute to its excellent Cd rating of 0.325.
The 500 is a popular model and has been in production since 1957. The company has made several upgrades to the original design, including a solid roof in the Nuova version and a rear-engined version called the D. In 1968, the company introduced a luxury version called the 500 L (Lusso means luxury). This version was distinguished from the other models by its round turn signals and a larger engine.
The 500 has a cult-like following on Instagram, with users posting images of the little car in iconic locations across Italy and Europe. It has a certain nostalgia and timeless elegance that makes it the perfect backdrop for a photo. This popularity has led to some controversies on Twitter, as the car is often used to imply racial prejudice.
Performance
The Fiat 500 is a little car with a big personality. It’s a fashion statement, an icon of independence, and a champion for the individual. It’s also a lot of fun to drive. The diminutive Italian car has modest power but is surprisingly capable of zippy city driving. Plus, it’s one of the least expensive cars to insure.
The new model is larger than the old Fiat 500 but it doesn’t stray too far from its retro roots. The interior design is still retro-inspired, with a flat dashboard and a tall center stack that hosts the gear stick. The controls are simple to understand and easy to use. There are some advanced features available, including lane-keeping assistance and traffic-sign recognition, but these are reserved for the top-of-the-range La Prima trim.
A modern version of the classic Fiat 500 was launched in 2007, with careful attention paid to the needs of modern drivers. The 500’s bodywork is more robust than its predecessor but it retains the iconic look. The new model is also more fuel-efficient than the original.
In the US, the Fiat 500 is available in Pop Lounge and Cabrio models. You can even choose an electric variant for a greener driving experience. The car comes with a 7.0-inch infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s also equipped with a built-in GPS navigation and cruise control.
The Fiat 500 isn’t a big car, but it packs in plenty of technology. It’s the only hatchback that offers a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices. You can also access internet radio, stream music, and get the latest news and weather with SiriusXM Satellite Radio. There’s also a BeatsAudio premium sound system that’ll make your ride even more enjoyable.
Reliability
The Fiat 500’s quirky styling and affordable price tag give it plenty of showroom appeal, but long-term reliability isn’t always a strong point. According to data from RepairPal, owners bring their 500 into the shop an average of 0.2 times per year for unscheduled repairs, which is a bit higher than what you’d expect from subcompact cars. The probability that a repair will be severe or expensive (defined as costing more than three times the average annual repair cost) is 17% for the 500, which is also quite high when compared to other car models.
While some 500 owners offer praise for the small hatchback’s agility, ride quality, and steering response, others complain about issues like rear-view visibility problems, a lack of driver-assistance features such as backup cameras or parking sensors, and difficult seat adjustments. A few drivers mention problems with the powertrain, too, including a weak clutch and shifting issue.
On the safety front, the 500 gets good marks from government crash tests and insurance companies, with four stars in the moderate-overlap frontal test and five stars in the side-impact and roof strength tests. However, the IIHS hasn’t tested the convertible version of the 500, so it can’t be rated for whiplash protection.
Overall, the 500 has a decent reliability score when compared to other subcompacts and compacts, but it falls short of some luxury cars’ dependability ratings. Nonetheless, the 500 is still an excellent choice for buyers looking for a reliable and inexpensive small car that will stand out on the road.
Safety
The Fiat 500 is a small car with cute looks and lots of personality. However, it’s also a cheap car with little in the way of luxury features. This makes the 500 an attractive choice for buyers on a tight budget but who still want to enjoy driving. The 500 isn’t the most powerful small car, but its 135 horsepower engine is adequate for navigating city streets.
The 500 has plenty of safety features for such a small car. It comes standard with skid-reducing anti-lock brakes, a driver’s knee air bag, and head-protecting side curtain air bags. It also has hill-hold assistance and hydraulic brake assist to help drivers who need to accelerate or decelerate rapidly.
However, the Fiat 500 does have a few shortcomings when it comes to safety. The model has only received a three-star safety rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, and its adult and child occupant protection scores are low. Its rear seat lacks headrests and has a low cushion. Additionally, the headroom is limited for drivers over six feet tall.
Fiat has also made the 500 more family-friendly with a rear-view camera, cruise control, and a power-assisted steering system. It’s also available with a 6.5-inch infotainment screen that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
However, Fiat hasn’t done much to improve the 500’s long-term reliability. Its reliability score is below average, and owners complain about mechanical problems with the powertrain, braking, and other components. This is why it’s important to buy a used model with low mileage and a clean title. The low price and cheeky personality of the Fiat 500 make it a popular choice for young drivers, but its longevity isn’t guaranteed.