Summary
The Fiat 500 is a small three-door hatchback that was originally launched in 2007, echoing the beloved 1957 Fiat Cinquecento. It was given a major update in 2015 and there have been countless limited editions over the last 12 years.
A mild hybrid petrol engine was added to the range in early 2020 and is now the only engine choice. Although an all-new, all-electric model is set to arrive in the UK in Spring 2021, the existing model will soldier on for the time being as a cheaper option until it is eventually retired once demand slows or the costs of keeping it on sale get too high.
High-performance versions of the 500 are built by Fiat-owned Abarth and are not covered by this page. We have a separate page for the Abarth 595 models here.
The Fiat 500 has received mixed reviews from the UK motoring media, with scores gradually falling as the car gets older and starts to fall further behind the class leaders. It has received praise for its style and character, as well as its extensive personalisation options, however it has been criticised for its lack of comfort and practicality, while consumer-oriented titles have marked it down heavily for its lack of advanced safety features.
As of 2021, the Fiat 500 is only available with a petrol engine and a manual gearbox. Fiat brands the engine as a ‘Hybrid’, but it’s really only a mild hybrid. That means it can’t drive on electricity alone, with a small electric motor used to assist the petrol engine to improve fuel economy.
Key specifications
Body style: Small three-door hatch
Engines: petrol (mild hybrid)
Price: From £13,275 on-road
Launched: Autumn 2015
Last updated: Winter 2019/20
Replacement due: N/A
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: 500 Hybrid
“The Fiat 500 Hybrid (actually a mild hybrid) is smooth and efficient, but it offers limited performance and is little better than the regular petrol model.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Fiat 500 Mild Hybrid isn’t as practical as newer city car rivals, but it’s still a stylish runabout.”
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Model reviewed: 500 Hybrid
Score: 5 / 10
“The mild hybrid powertrain in this updated Fiat 500 brings a useful efficiency gain, and while the car isn’t all that fast or refined – nor is it particularly good to drive or all that comfortable – there’s still a likeable charm that’s always been present in Fiat’s famous city car.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 500 Hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“If you’re sold on the idea of Fiat 500 ownership you don’t really have a choice. From now on every new 500 that Fiat makes will only be available with this new mild-hybrid powertrain – at least until the 500e goes on sale anyway.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Fiat 500 appeals as a finely wrought, thoroughly practical evocation of the original 500, and backs that up with a good finish and tempting customisation options.”
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Car
Model reviewed: TwinAir Lounge
Score: 8 / 10
“The Fiat 500 is still one of the most characterful cars on the road. The facelift can’t fix some of its enduring shortcomings: tough ride, lack of headroom for tall folk, odd driving position and expensive pricing in particular. But a well-judged set of worthwhile updates have made a great piece of product design feel that little bit fresher.”
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Model reviewed: 1.2-litre petrol manual Lounge
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s hardly going to give the VW Up a hard time amongst the most rational buyers, but Fiat has successfully enhanced the 500 without ruining its underlying appeal.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual mild hybrid
Score: 8 / 10
“Adding a more efficient hybrid powertrain to the Fiat 500 has undoubtedly improved the formula – adding additional smoothness and ever so slightly more performance.”
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Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.6 / 10
“The Fiat 500 has an unashamedly retro style, but fairly economical engines, making it a strong city-car performer.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: 500C convertible range
Score: 6 / 10
“The Fiat 500C comes with the same cheeky looks and economical engines as the standard 500 but adds a folding fabric roof. Alternatives are roomier and cheaper to buy, though.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback range
Score: 6 / 10
“Few cars can match the Fiat 500’s charming blend of style and everyday usability. Other city cars are more comfortable, better equipped and more practical, though.”
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Company Car Today
Model reviewed: Mild Hybrid Launch Edition
“A welcome change to the Fiat engine range that brings economy boosts, but isn’t the radical leap forward that some might want.”
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Honest John
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 6 / 10
“If you’re looking for a sensible, practical town car, the Hyundai i10 or Volkswagen Up are better choices since they are more spacious, better-equipped and more competent on the open road. But if you’re style-conscious then there is no small car to match the Fiat 500 for image or personalisation.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.2 / 10
“Italian city car majors on style and character”
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Model reviewed: 500C convertible range
Score: 7 / 10
“Won’t sate driving enthusiasts, but brimming with character”
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The Sun
Model reviewed: (range review)
“Just fabulous, darling. Bellissimo.”
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 7 / 10
“If you want a car of this size, there are far better all-rounders out there in the shape of the VW Up and Hyundai i10. But if you’re after a city car that’s chic and feels special to own, the Fiat 500 is hard to beat.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Continuing popularity means Fiat hasn’t felt any compulsion to replace or update the 500 beyond the bare minimum. Technically and mechanically other city cars outstrip it, but emotionally – well, that’s up to you. We understand.”
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Model reviewed: 500 Hybrid
Score: 5 / 10
“The Fiat 500 Hybrid is indeed good value, usefully clean and perpetually desirable. The driving position’s still a joke, the cabin plastics feel tinnier with every passing year, and the retro schtick has to count for a lot when there’s less space in the back than a VW Up, a sloppy manual gearbox and no modern driver assistance features. It’s cootchie-coo loveable, though.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed: (range review)
Score: 4 / 10
“The Fiat 500 is wonderfully stylish and reasonably cheap to buy, but plenty of rivals are better to drive and more practical. If you’re smitten by the looks, go for the entry-level 1.2 petrol engine in Pop or Lounge trim.”
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Which?
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4.5 / 10
“The Fiat 500 isn’t the sharpest city car to drive, nor the most spacious or comfortable. Its fashionable charm and low running costs have proved very popular, but poor crash protection seals its fate as a Which? Don’t Buy.”
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Safety rating
Notes on safety
Euro NCAP originally awarded the Fiat 500 a five-star rating when it was launched back in 2007. However, safety standards have evolved more rapidly than the Fiat’s safety systems over the last decade; when the updated Fiat 500 was re-tested in 2017, it only scored three stars.
In addition, the above rating only applies to the hatchback models and not the cabriolet version, which has not been tested.
Eco rating
No eco rating
The Fiat 500 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP. As yet, very few new cars have been tested for environmental impact by Green NCAP, and inevitably the testing programme was halted in early 2020 by the coronavirus pandemic.
Given that the 500 is now an old model and due to end production in the next year or so, it’s unlikely that it will ever best assessed by Green NCAP. However, if it does happen then we’ll publish the results here.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Fiat 500 has received
2019
- Auto Express Driver Power Awards – Best Premium Small Car
2016
- Sunday Times Top 100 Cars – Best City Car
- Contract Hire and Leasing Awards – City Car of the Year
- BusinessCar Awards – Best City Car
2015
- Next Green Car Awards – City Car Award
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