Fiat 500 Hatchback full 9 point review
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Performance
Mainstream versions of the 500 come with a choice of four engines. Petrol options include a turbocharged two-cylinder 0.9-litre Twinair or four-cylinder 1.2- and 1.4-litre engines, along with a 1.3-litre diesel. None will set pulses racing (not as much as the looks, anyway) but the 99bhp 1.4-litre petrol feels lively around town, and the 0.9 produces decent pull as long as you keep it revving above 2000rpm.
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Ride & Handling
No surprises to learn the 500 is at its best when picking its way through crowded urban streets. This is thanks to its small dimensions and light steering. Break away from the hustle and bustle of the city, though, and the 500 doesn’t sparkle. The handling isn’t great and the ride feels jittery, whatever your speed.
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Refinement
Living with the 500 on a day-to-day basis shouldn’t prove too tiresome. Although wind- and road noise become increasingly evident as speeds rise, they never get to an irritating level. The diesel engine is a little noisy at low speeds, but the 0.9 Twinair is a much bigger offender, producing a real racket, particularly at low revs.
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Buying & Owning
The 500 seems a solid financial proposition. It costs less to buy than many rivals, and its cute looks and retro styling add to its desirability. True, you’ll struggle to get a discount, but resale values are solid. The TwinAir model generates very low CO2, too, making it exempt from the London Congestion Charge, although we have found that it never even gets close to its official average economy.
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Quality & Reliability
Most of the plastics and fabrics used in the interior fit with the retro image of the 500, and it looks great and feels sturdy enough. Time will tell as to how well it fares with regards to reliability, but the first signs aren't too promising: in the 2011 JD Power customer satisfaction survey, owners rated its reliability as no better than average, as well as reporting a highish number of faults with the Blue&Me hands-free system and windscreen wipers.
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Safety & Security
Safety in the 500 is first-rate. All models come with front, side, curtain and knee airbags, all of which have helped it receive a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. Some versions of the 500 also feature driver aids like traction and stability control to help keep you on the straight and level.
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Behind The Wheel
The steering wheel has no reach adjustment, but the seat height adjusts to help you get comfortable – although not everyone can manage it. The simple dash is easier to use than a knife and fork, and it has all the style you could ask for, but you can personalise the interior with a variety of colour and styling combinations if that isn’t enough. What is disappointing, though, is that, lower down, traces of plain Fiat Panda switchgear rather tarnish the retro illusion.
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Space & Practicality
The original 500 was renowned for its compact dimensions, and it’s much the same with this modern take. Those in the front will travel in comfort, but it doesn’t have as much rear-seat space as its rivals like the Mini and Kia Picanto, and only Lounge versions get rear seats that split and fold as standard. The 500’s boot is smaller than the Picanto’s, too.
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Equipment
Standard kit on entry-level Pop cars includes seven airbags, a CD/MP3 stereo, power steering, colour-coded bumpers and electric mirrors. It’s a shame that you have to step up to Lounge to get air-con, but it also brings alloy wheels and front fog lights, as well as split-folding rear seats and a fixed-glass roof. Twinair models have their own trims, with air-con standard on every one, and top-spec Plus models having climate control and smarter interior trim.
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Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Pop S/S 3dr
Overall, this is our favourite 500, but you might want to save a bit harder and go for the Sport, as it brings the bits and pieces you might want to add.
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