For The 500 has quirky looks, flexible engines and undercuts its rivals on price. It's also one of the safest superminis around.

Against The ride is jittery, the handling is so-so and boot space is limited. You'll have to pay extra for air-conditioning on some models.

Fiat 500 Hatchback

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

The 500 has cute looks, price and desirability on its side; pity it isn't better to drive.

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There are 12 Fiat 500 versions available

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Pop S/S 3dr £9,300
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Lounge S/S 3dr £10,700
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Sport S/S 3dr £10,700
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 Pop S/S 3dr £10,700
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Pink 3dr £11,700
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.3 MultiJet Pop 3dr £11,700
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 Lounge S/S 3dr £12,100
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 Sport S/S 3dr £12,100
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.3 MultiJet Lounge 3dr £13,100
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.3 MultiJet Sport 3dr £13,100
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 T-Jet Abarth 3dr £13,605
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Esseesse 3dr £16,105
What Car? says:3 stars out of 5
500 Our pick

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Pop 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.

What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

You have the choice of four different engines in the 500, including the hot-hatch Abarth version that sits at the top of the range. Although it's brisk rather than stupidly fast, this is the most exciting car in the range to drive, thanks to its lower, stiffer suspension and weightier steering.

That's in direct contrast to the cheaper versions, which are not so great on the road, with a jittery ride and disappointing handling. With that in mind, we think the best versions are the cheaper ones, and the pick of the range is the cheapest, the 1.2 Pop.

It may not come with alloys or air-con, but you can add those as options without reaching the overall price of the next cheapest model in the range. It also has the added reassurance, as does every model in the range, a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating.

Reader test team says:

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 Lounge 3dr

We purchased the Fiat 500 because it was small…

Michael Parsons

4 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 Lounge 3dr

I have just test driven the 500 1.4 sport hoping…

Allan Hall

3 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Lounge 3dr

My wife and I have 3 cars. A Porsche Carrera S, A…

michael gould

out of 5 stars

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Lounge 3dr

A Dream! Finally I have part-ex'd my pathetic…

Lowri Harris

5 out of 5 stars
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