Our recommendations
Which used Fiat 500 hatchback should I buy?
That's quite a difficult one to answer given the huge number of special editions that Fiat has released over the years to entice buyers.
If we stick with the standard range, we find that it starts with Pop, which is quite sparsely equipped. It comes with electric front windows and door mirrors, steering wheel-mounted stereo controls and USB and aux input connections. Air conditioning, metallic paint and an electronic stability program (ESP) were all options when the car was new.
Lounge adds Bluetooth, air conditioning, 15in alloy wheels, a glass roof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and split-folding rear seats. This trim level was popular with buyers and is therefore now abundant on the used market.
Sport adds a rear spoiler, foglights, climate control and some sporty trim pieces inside. Since it doesn’t make the car drive any better than the regular version, it isn’t worth the extra money.
Some of the special editions might be worth it if you want that particular model or if they happen to be similar money to a Lounge car.
While the 1.2-litre engine is quite slow compared with the other units in the range, it offers excellent fuel economy and is cheap to tax. Owners of 0.9-litre Twinair cars have found it difficult to get anywhere near the claimed fuel economy figures and end up using a similar amount of fuel to the 1.2 anyway. The 1.3-litre diesel is great for those who regularly drive on the motorway, but its refinement deficit over the 1.2-litre petrol makes it hard to justify.
Our favourite Fiat 500: 1.2 Lounge
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