Nimble handling and a free-revving engine make the funky, retro-styled Fiat 500 microcar engaging to drive. Zippy around town and easy to park, this two-door subcompact seems the ideal urban runabout. Its cuteness may be undeniable, and the front cabin is surprisingly spacious, but slow acceleration, a choppy ride and a noisy interior detract from the fun.
Other drawbacks include an awkward driving position, cramped backseats that are hard to reach, and a skinflint cargo area.
On the face of it, the 33 mpg overall we recorded looks terrific, but considering this car's minuscule size that fuel economy isn't so extraordinary. It also takes some work to wring the power out of the small engine.
A wide variety of versions allow custom-tailoring your Fiat to your whims. Two different turbocharged models, a 135-hp Turbo and the riotous 160-hp Abarth, add more power. The convertible 500c has a rollback fabric roof that lets the sunshine in by pulling the top back either fully or just part way. Even the all-electric model is surprisingly fun, with instant response and improved ride comfort brought about by the battery's extra ballast.
The sporty Abarth version of Fiat's microcar is anything but a wallflower. From its bold side stripes and red-trimmed seats to its raucous exhaust note -- one that barks, snarls, and whistles with every gearshift -- the Fiat 500 Abarth oozes with character and stands out from the crowd, both visually and audibly. Driving it is like having dinner with boisterous relatives: loud, entertaining, and memorable.
The Abarth's miniscule dimensions and relentless grip make it fun to drive, although its disappointingly vague steering lacks finesse and rob it of go-kart feel and pinpoint accuracy.
Adding a turbocharger to the regular 500's normally lethargic 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine brings a welcome energy boost, but acceleration still isn't that quick. This car is more about style and the driving experience than posting impressive track numbers.
Although it's a fun city car, the 500's flaws stack up too high for us to recommend it. Other downsides include a Poor showing in the IIHS' small-overlap frontal crash test.