Fiat 500 review

If it’s retro charm you’re after, there aren’t many new cars that come close to the uber-chic, heritage-inspired Fiat 500.

With looks harking back to the 1957 classic of the same name, this 21st-century reimagining of the Fiat 500 (or Cinquecento as it's known in Italy) can still turn heads more than a decade after its launch, and remains one of the best-selling city cars. But does it deserve its ongoing success?

Over the years, Fiat has made (very) minor tweaks to the 500's exterior styling and the interior, but more significant improvements to the engines and infotainment system. That said, the competition in this class is far from weak and rivals have more modern and sophisticated underpinnings.

So, has the Fiat 500 been left behind? How does it stack up against similar-sized alternatives, such as the Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto and Volkswagen Up?

In this review, we're focusing on the regular Fiat 500 hatchback. However, there's also a convertible Fiat 500C and a feisty hot hatch named the Abarth 595, which you can read about by clicking on the links.

Already decided the Fiat 500 is the car for you? Don't let your heart completely rule your head and just run straight down to your local Fiat dealer – check out our New Car Buying pages to find out how much you could save on the brochure price without any awkward haggling.