Used Fiat 500 review (2015-2025)

Driving position 

The Fiat 500 is hardly a spacious car. That should be clear just by looking at it, but just in case you needed a reminder. 

Handily, we’ve spent a lot of time in small cars, including 20,000+ miles in VW Ups and many smiles per mile in first-generation Ford KAs. 

To be honest, the 500 is on the smaller side, but where it lacks in space, it more than makes up for it with its retro charm. 

But to be fair, even if you’re over six feet, there’s still room to drive it. Headroom is really not that bad, and legroom is fine (if you don't care about the people in the back). 

Helping to make the space more efficient is the raised gearstick, which is closer to the steering wheel, so you can change gear even quicker. 

As for visibility, the view out of this dinky hatchback is good, and parking sensors are optional. You won’t really need them unless you’re a bad parker, though. 

It’s a different story with the cabriolet – if you fold the roof back as far as it’ll go, it concertinas and blocks the rearview. A bit annoying. 

Tech and features 

Fiat 500 trims 

– Pop 

– Sport 

– Lounge 

– Dolcevita 

Fiat's kept things simple by offering three main trim levels: Pop, Sport (previously Popstar) and Lounge.  

The entry-level Pop models come with LED daytime running lights, a height-adjustable steering wheel and Fiat's five-inch Uconnect infotainment system with USB connectivity. 

Upgrading to Sport gets you air conditioning and split-folding rear seatbacks (otherwise it's a single bench). The range-topping Lounge models come with a fixed glass roof, rear parking sensors, fog lights, a DAB radio and Bluetooth – this is the one we’d go for. 

Later hybrid models got a whole range of special trims, including Action, Connect, Dolcevita, Dolcevita Plus, Hey Google, Icon, La Prima, Launch, Passion and Red. 

When you compare it to rivals, it stands up pretty well – especially later cars which came with more kit.  

Want even more tech, though? You might be better off considering the all-electric 500e. 

– Fiat 500 models explained

Engines and power 

Fiat 500 performance stats 

– Power: 68hp to 105hp 

– 0-62mph: 9.7 to 13.4 seconds 

– Top speed: 112mph 

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD) 

The Fiat 500 can be had with a few different engine options, including the 0.9-litre and 1.0-litres to the slightly bigger (and more powerful) 1.2 and 1.4.  

There was also a diesel engine for a period of time, and you can step up to an Abarth model for much more power. 

For most people, we'd suggest opting for a 1.0-litre or 1.2-litre. They’re great engines for pootling around town, and can handle motorway journeys when you need to do them. 

Automatics are rare, but they do exist. The majority for sale have manual gearboxes and are what we’d recommend. They’re easier and cheaper to maintain and are much quicker to change gear. 

The 500’s sporty versions, the Abarth 595 and 695, use a 1.4 petrol, while a mild-hybrid model was introduced to the standard 500 range in 2020. 

That 1.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol strikes the best balance between all of the older options. It's also generally more efficient in real-world scenarios. 

Handling and ride comfort 

No one is buying a Fiat 500 for its sporty handling, but you’d be surprised how well it fares. 

Around town, the steering is light and nimble, so nabbing a parking space is easy, and even easier when it comes to parking because it’s such a small car. 

The body leans quite a bit when you get up to speed on a country lane, so we’d encourage you to be sensible. And on the motorway, it’s as you’d expect: a little bit noisy but gets the job done without a sweat. 

If it’s actual cornering performance you’re after, then you need to go for an Abarth 595 or 695 for more steering feel, agility and peppiness. 

Alternatively, the MINI Hatchback and VW Up are good choices too. 

Boot space 

Fiat 500 boot space:  

– Boot space: 185 litres 

– Incl. rear seats folded: 550 litres 

The Fiat 500’s boot comes in at 185 litres, which isn’t the most space, but Fiat has been clever by making it as deep as possible to store more things. 

Fold down the rear seats and space grows to 550 litres, which means bigger loads are easier to transport when needed. 

By comparison to its rivals, the 500 has the smallest boot, with the three-door MINI Hatch offering 211 litres and the VW Up getting 252 litres. 

We should also note that while the cabriolet’s boot is the same size as the hatchback’s, you have a much smaller boot opening due to the roof and mechanism. 

Rear seats 

Climb into the back of a Fiat 500, and you’ll quickly realise those rear seats are best saved for kids, quick lifts to the pub or throwing your gym bag onto.  

The 500’s iconic sloping roofline means headroom in the back is a bit tight for taller teens and adults, and legroom disappears quickly if the driver likes to push their seat back.  

That said, it’s a proper four-seater rather than an optimistic five, so your two rear passengers won't be fighting over a middle squeeze.  

Plus, with handy ISOFIX points built right in, fitting child seats for the little ones is an absolute doddle. 

Storage solutions 

When it comes to keeping your cabin clutter-free, the Fiat 500 proves that clever design can make even a tiny footprint go a long way.  

Up front, you get handy open cubbies for your phone, double cupholders for your morning coffee and a pop-out glovebox to tuck valuables out of sight. 

There aren’t loads, but its clever packaging goes a long way. 

Fiat 500 dimensions  

– Height: 1,488mm 

– Width (excl. door mirrors): 1,627mm 

– Length: 3,546mm 

– Kerb weight: Up to 980kg 

Safety 

For a car that looks as delicate as an espresso cup, the Fiat 500 holds its own surprisingly well on the safety front.  

Classic petrol models cover the essentials with seven airbags – including a driver's knee airbag, which is a rare treat for a pint-sized city car – alongside standard stability control to keep you grounded in the wet.  

Step up to the newer electric 500e, and Fiat amps up the protection with active driver aids like autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and driver fatigue monitoring as standard.  

While its small frame means it won't offer the tank-like feel of a big SUV, its compact size and sharp visibility make dodging tight urban scrapes an absolute doddle. 

Fuel economy 

The popular 1.2-litre petrol engine gets 60.1mpg officially. In real-world motoring, this is likely to be in the 40s, especially in town, where stop-start traffic doesn’t help economy. 

The TwinAir engine returns better figures. You do need to work this engine hard if you head out of town, so bear that in mind. 

Newer cars with the 1.0-litre mild hybrid tend to be pretty economical around town, which is where most drivers will spend their time. We’d expect you to return around 50mpg in daily driving. 

Reliability 

When it comes to keeping you out of the mechanics' waiting room, the Fiat 500 is a cheerful little soul that generally plays nice, provided you keep up with basic maintenance.  

Stick to the bulletproof 1.2-litre petrol or the newer mild hybrid, and you're looking at robust, tried-and-tested engines that run on pennies.  

You may want to steer clear of models with the semi-automatic gearbox as they can be pricier to repair, though if an automatic is really what you’re after, this is something to bear in mind. 

Parts are dirt cheap, and every garage in the UK knows them inside out, so even if a suspension bush decides to complain after a run-in with a city pothole, sorting it should be relatively stress-free.