Name: Fiat 500 (2015 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Fiat 500
Rating: 50

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 arrived in 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.

From 2021, the Fiat 500 has only been 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.

As of January 2024, the Fiat 500 holds a poor New Car Expert Rating E with a score of 50%, which puts it down near the bottom of the small car sector.

Key specifications

Body style: Small three-door hatch
Engines: petrol (mild hybrid)
Price: From £16,790 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2015
Last updated: Winter 2019/20
Replacement due: N/A

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests 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: 9 / 10
“The Fiat 500 should be at the top of your shortlist if you’re in the market for a stylish and immensely capable small EV.”
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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.” (Andy Goodwin)
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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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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Fiat 500 is a stylish city car that uses its classic heritage to pull at your heartstrings. However, while chic and retro, the 500 falls flat in several important areas. That said, if you love the looks, you’ll probably be happy to overlook its many shortcomings.”
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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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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: March 2017
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 66%
Child protection: 49%
Vulnerable road users: 53%
Safety assist: 27%

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

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

Model tested: Hybrid 1.0-litre GSE Petrol FWD Manual

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: October 2022
Read the full Green NCAP review

Clean Air Index: 4.3 / 10
Energy Efficiency Index: 6.3 / 10
Greenhouse Gas Index: 5.2 / 10

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 189
Average repair cost: £445.14
Last updated: September 2023

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of September 2023, the Fiat 500 has a reliability score of 49%, which puts it right in the middle of the marketplace according to extended warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both the current-generation 500 and the former (pre-2015) version.

The Fiat 500 does appear to be cheap to repair when things go wrong, with an average repair cost a bit over £400. That’s good news if you already own a 500 or are considering buying a used one.

The most common reported problems with the 500 relate to its suspension, with an average repair bill of around £220 to date. The other area to look out for is the gearbox, which accounts for a sixth of repair claims. Unfortunately, this is the most expensive type of fault on the list, costing over £1,100 on average.

If you’re looking at a used Fiat 500, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	61 mpg	A	46 – 61 mpg	A – C

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	107 g/km	A	105 – 139 g/km	A – B

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	11	A	7 – 17	A – A

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£162	A
Year 2	£459	A
Year 3	£733	A
Year 4	£916	A
Year 5	£1,249	A
Overall	£3,519	A

The Fiat 500 is a very cheap car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The 500 is one of a very few cars in our database of more than 500 vehicles to get a complete set of straight-A scores in every category. So whether its fuel economy, servicing or insurance, a Fiat 500 should be cheap to run. The only thing to note is that the more powerful petrol engines (found on used models) will use quite a bit more fuel than the latest mild hybrid engines.