Fiat 500 review

Overview

This is the late petrol version of the familiar 312-series Fiat 500, not the newer 500e-shaped Hybrid announced for 2026. Fiat added a 70 hp 1.0-litre FireFly mild-hybrid engine in 2020 to extend the old car's life, and Lounge combined it with the equipment most buyers want. The result is attractive as an urban runabout or first small car: compact, light on fuel and easy to understand. Age still matters. The underlying body dates to 2007, rear space is limited and safety technology trails newer rivals, so style and low running costs need to outweigh those objective compromises.

Exterior and interior

The 2015 facelift preserved the circular lamps, chrome details and short, upright proportions that made the modern 500 recognisable. Lounge typically adds alloy wheels, a fixed glass roof and extra brightwork, though late naming and option packs can blur specifications. Inside, the body-colour dashboard and single circular instrument cluster create more occasion than most city cars. The high-mounted gearlever is conveniently close, but taller drivers may struggle to combine seat height, steering reach and pedal position. Plastics are durable rather than rich, and the narrow cabin puts front occupants close together. Check the glass roof blind, seat mechanisms and door seals carefully.

Practicality

Fiat calls it a four-seater, and that is realistic only when the rear occupants are children or small adults on short trips. Access through long front doors requires space beside the car, while front seats must be tipped and slid for every rear passenger. The 185-litre boot takes a few shopping bags or one modest suitcase; folding the rear backrests turns the car into a more useful two-person load carrier. Cabin storage is limited but workable for phones and small items. Two Isofix positions help occasional child use, although repeatedly loading a child seat through a three-door opening is awkward. A Panda or i10 is substantially more practical.

Driving experience

Light steering, a 9.3-metre turning circle and tiny exterior dimensions make the 500 exceptionally unintimidating in tight streets. The six-speed manual has a light action and the car feels eager enough at urban speeds, where modest weight matters more than outright power. Broken surfaces expose a bouncy, short-wheelbase ride, and the body can feel busy rather than settled. On a motorway it tracks acceptably but road and wind noise, crosswinds and limited performance demand more concentration than in a modern supermini. Grip is predictable and the controls are simple. Rear parking sensors seem indulgent on such a short car but protect its rounded corners well.

Performance

The naturally aspirated three-cylinder produces 70 hp and roughly 90–92 Nm, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual. Fiat quotes 13.8 seconds to 62 mph and 104 mph, which accurately signals leisurely acceleration. Around town the first few gears keep pace with traffic, assisted subtly by the belt-integrated starter-generator during restart and acceleration. Faster slip roads, gradients and overtakes require planning, revs and an early downshift. The mild-hybrid system cannot propel the car on electricity alone. This FireFly unit is chain-driven at the camshaft; its external BSG belt should not be confused with the wet timing-belt design used by unrelated engines.

Fuel economy

The official combined figure is 53.3 mpg WLTP, and Green NCAP measured about 5.2 litres per 100 km in its laboratory programme, close to the published value. Real use depends on whether the car can exploit warm-engine urban stops and gentle deceleration; rushed short trips or sustained high speed make the small engine work harder. Mid-40s to low-50s is a reasonable planning window, with higher results possible on sympathetic mixed routes. Fiat also publicised 88 g/km at launch, but that was NEDC-correlated; derivative WLTP data records 119 g/km. Keeping those test procedures separate prevents a misleading emissions comparison.

Reliability

The 1.0 FireFly mild hybrid deserves its own assessment rather than inheriting stories from the older 1.2 FIRE, TwinAir, diesel, Dualogic or electric 500. Our 3.7 score reflects moderate evidence and the relative simplicity of a manual, naturally aspirated engine, not a guarantee. Require annual servicing with the correct specification oil, check cold starting, battery condition, stop-start operation and warning lights, and listen for suspension knocks. Test the clutch, every gear, air conditioning, screen, parking sensors, windows and roof blind. Verify recalls against the registration and VIN, and inspect for careless urban body repairs, kerbed wheels and mismatched tyres.

Safety

The facelifted 500 achieved only three Euro NCAP stars in 2017, with particularly low child-occupant and safety-assist scores, and that rating is now expired. Seven airbags and stability control are useful, but the tested car lacked autonomous emergency braking and lane assistance that became normal on newer city cars. The mild-hybrid engine arrived later without creating a new body structure or fresh rating. This does not make every journey unsafe, but it is a material disadvantage for a buyer prioritising crash avoidance and current protection standards. Check tyres, brakes, lights, seatbelts and airbag lamps, and compare a contemporary Picanto or i10.

Technology and features

The exact Lounge derivative is attractive because its seven-inch Uconnect screen includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while cruise control and rear parking sensors support everyday use. The interface is smaller and slower than current systems but phone mirroring keeps navigation and audio relevant. Bring a known-good cable, pair the phone, make a call and test steering-wheel controls. Confirm that the glass-roof blind, Bluetooth, USB socket, DAB, climate functions and parking tones work. Late special editions changed equipment and names, so a listing that says 'Lounge style' is not enough. The 500e's newer widescreen cabin belongs to an entirely different model.

Running costs

Insurance group 8D is relatively low, but a popular first-car image can still produce surprising individual premiums, making a registration-specific quote essential. Our annual estimate includes indicative fuel, tax, servicing, MOT and ordinary maintenance; it excludes insurance, finance, depreciation and major repairs. Small tyres and widely available service parts help, although damaged body trim and genuine cosmetic pieces can undermine the cheap-car case. Budget for an ageing 12-volt battery, brakes, tyres, exhaust, suspension bushes and air conditioning. A complete history and clean underside matter more than decorative stickers, a glass roof or a low monthly finance headline.

Advantages and disadvantages