2018 FIAT 500 Review

Name: 2018 FIAT 500 Review
Brand: FIAT
Price: 14599 USD
Rating: 4.3 (27 reviews)

2018 FIAT 500 Abarth 2dr Hatchback Exterior

2018 FIAT 500 Lounge 2dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

+182

Used 500 for sale

$14,599 - $16,590

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FIAT 500 model years

2012

FIAT 500 for Sale

FIAT 500 types

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Fun and distinctive styling
Handling abilities are much better than other low-priced superminis
Fairly comfortable ride for a car of this size
Lots of personality for the price

Cons

Disappointing fuel economy given the slow acceleration
Poor rear visibility with the convertible's top lowered
Abarth model isn't very quick or much fun
Cramped interior

What's new

New, more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine
New Urbana appearance package
A rearview camera is now standard
Part of the first-generation 500 introduced for 2012

Subcompact cars generally aren't much to write home about. They usually sacrifice materials quality, quick acceleration and an exciting driving experience in exchange for a rock-bottom price tag. Something must have been lost in the English to Italian translation, however, because the 2018 Fiat 500 offers what others don't. Not only is this pint-size coupe fun to drive, but it also brings distinctly European design flair to this otherwise dowdy segment.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 FIAT 500 Pop 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.97 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$164/mo

$160/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

The 500 has been on sale for a while now without any significant refresh, but the things we liked about it when it debuted for the 2012 model year hold true even today. The cabin design surpasses many in this field, and its cute looks still command attention on the road. Plus, the previous naturally aspirated base engine has been replaced with a turbocharged unit, so this year's 500 is noticeably quicker than the 2017 model.

On the other hand, we're not sold on the top Abarth trim's performance chops, especially considering you can get the more luxurious and faster Mini Hardtop for about the same price. We think the base Pop and more luxurious Lounge are both better buys. There are still some inherent downsides, too, such as the cabin that's really only big enough for two people. Overall, though, the 500 is a good choice if you want an affordable subcompact with some personality.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

If you want a new car at a low price, chances are you're looking at a subcompact car. All of them will get you from Point A to Point B, but little more. The 2018 Fiat 500 is different, though, with surprisingly good handling and lots of personality.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Fiat 500C Abarth Convertible (turbo 1.4L inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | FWD).

NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2015, the current 500 has received some revisions, including a new touchscreen in 2016. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's 500, however.

Driving

The Abarth may look and sound sporty, but its actions don't back up the bravado. With 157 horsepower, you can spin the front tires at full throttle. But in terms of instrumented acceleration numbers, it can barely keep up with the base Mini Cooper Hardtop, let alone the Cooper S model.

Acceleration

The Abarth reached 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a tick slower than the Cooper but well behind the Cooper S. There's considerable turbo lag from the turbocharged engine when leaving a stoplight, followed by a nice hit of power. The shifts from the six-speed automatic are quick.

Braking

In a simulated-panic stop, the Abarth required 125 feet to stop from 60 mph; this is a typical result for a small car with all-season tires. There was noticeable side-to-side wiggle during our panic-brake test, making it feel a bit unsettled.

Steering

Steering effort is appropriate for a sporty runabout, but there's little feedback to indicate when the front tires are losing grip. The Sport button firms the steering up but doesn't add more feedback. The turning circle is SUV-like.

Handling

Compared to its rivals, the Abarth is less sporty on a curvy road. It feels top-heavy, and the front tires frequently wash out and struggle to regain traction. It doesn't instill confidence like its competitors.

Drivability

The hesitation on initial acceleration gets frustrating; the car works better with the manual transmission. The Sport button livens things up. The massive space needed for U-turns — the Abarth has a 37.6-foot turning circle — makes it poor for tight city driving.

Comfort

Limitations to seat and steering wheel adjustability compromise comfort, and the contouring of the front seat will bother some drivers. The lack of adequate elbow padding and the drone of the engine and exhaust further hurt comfort scores. The ride quality is decent enough.

Seat comfort

Average-size adults will find that the lack of a telescoping steering wheel forces them to sit closer and more upright than preferred. The contour at the top of the seatback also creates an uncomfortable pressure point for some drivers.

Ride comfort

Despite its sporty intentions, the Abarth's ride quality isn't overly firm. You do feel flaws in the pavement, but the 500 rarely comes across as harsh or overly intrusive. That said, moderate undulations will cause some jostling.

Noise & vibration

Purely for the fun of it, the Abarth's exhaust is loud, with only a minor reward in terms of actual power. For some, this booming baritone will seem tiresome. Others will dig it. It was hard to detect road and wind noise over the commotion.

Interior

While the 500's minimalist interior has a certain retro design appeal, it also serves to limit the functionality of many systems. The limited passenger space leaves it trailing rivals by a considerable margin.

Ease of use

The primary controls are simple in terms of layout and operation, but they're also limited in functionality. Searching for music on external devices is difficult at best.

Getting in/getting out

The doors are short in length for easy access in tight spots, and they open wide. The narrow opening to the rear seat means it's nearly impossible for adults to crawl back there. Even if you can do it, you'll look and feel awkward.

Roominess

Most adults will feel confined up front, especially if there is a front passenger. The hard center console can protrude into the side of the driver's right knee. The rear seats are suitable for children only.

Visibility

All-around visibility is good with the top up, but when the top is fully retracted, it severely blocks the view rearward to the point that even large city buses can be hidden from view. A standard rearview camera helps getting out of parking spots.

Quality

Hard plastics are more prevalent in the Fiat 500 than in its competition. The surfaces feel flimsy and have a tendency to creak. For the most part, the interior falls short of the standard set by the Mini Hardtop.

Convertible top

It's hard to consider the fabric roof panel a true convertible top since it's more like a retractable panoramic sunroof. Folded back, it completely obscures the rearward view and blocks access to the trunk.

Utility

The cabriolet's trunk only measures 5.4 cubic feet, roughly half the capacity of the hatchback model. The tiny opening hampers usefulness. It's a struggle to get a carry-on suitcase to fit. Interior storage is minimal, with shallow door pockets and cramped cupholders.

2018 FIAT 500 models

The 2018 Fiat 500 is a small city car with seating for four, although the rear seats are only suitable for very small children. It's available as a two-door hatchback or convertible (Fiat calls this the 500C) that uses fixed roof rails and a folding center portion. The base Pop model is lightly equipped, but its price is quite reasonable. The midlevel Lounge is more expensive, but many will find the leather upholstery and other goodies worth the extra cost. The performance-oriented Abarth rounds out the lineup, with a peppier engine, sport-tuned suspension and boisterous exhaust note.

All three trims are powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic is optional. In the Pop and Lounge models, the engine produces 135 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. Abarth models receive a modest but noticeable power bump: Manual-equipped versions produce 160 hp and 170 lb-ft, while automatic models make 157 hp and 183 lb-ft.

Standard features for the Pop trim include 16-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, hill start assist, heated mirrors, foglights, keyless locking and unlocking, air conditioning, full power accessories, cruise control, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver's seat, a 7-inch color driver information display, 50/50-split folding rear seatbacks, a tilt-only leather-wrapped steering wheel, a cargo cover, and Fiat Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment interface with a 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, voice controls, and a six-speaker Alpine audio system with an auxiliary audio input and two USB ports (one for mobile device integration, the other for charging). The Pop convertible also comes with rear parking sensors.

The luxurious Lounge trim includes all of the above, plus chrome exterior trim, a fixed glass roof, rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic climate control, heated front seats, leather upholstery and satellite radio.

At the top of the Fiat 500 food chain is the performance-focused Abarth. It includes the parking sensors from the Lounge and adds a more powerful engine, a rear spoiler, sportier suspension tuning, upgraded brakes with red-painted calipers, a performance exhaust system, distinctive exterior and interior styling tweaks, premium cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped shift knob, a sport steering wheel and front floor mats.

Some of the Lounge's extra features can be added to the Pop and Abarth as options. Other popular options include a sunroof for coupe models, 17-inch wheels for the Abarth, a six-speaker Beats Audio sound system with a trunk-mounted subwoofer, a navigation system, and a variety of Mopar-branded exterior and interior styling enhancements.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#18 out of 27 among Subcompact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the FIAT 500 from 2008-2022.}

$448/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.04x/yr

vs. 1.22x/yr
for Average Subcompact Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

10.8%

vs. 10.1%
for Average Subcompact Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 FIAT 500.

5 (74%)

4 (7%)

3 (0%)

2 (8%)

1 (11%)

4.3

27 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

My angry little car

Brian Ach, 04/04/2017

2016 FIAT 500 Abarth 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Here's the thing--there are a lot of cars with more room, better build quality, more cache, better reliability, and more room. There are cars that have way more updated electronics, navigation, etc. and are more functional in terms of rear seat space, ergonomics and the like. None of them will be more fun than this car. None of them will make you smile, laugh, look forward to driving …

Most smiles per dollar available!!

Brandon, 12/26/2017

2017 FIAT 500 Abarth 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

I have owned this car for about 8 months and have put just over 6k miles on it. I drive it daily in city traffic, take it for spirited drives through the mountains, and have taken it to the local track day a few times. This car has never let me down, had any real issues, or made me regret buying it. The dealership has been very helpful with the 2 issues I have had(a bad clamp on the …

Surprisingly adequate and just a little fun too

libero1@earthlink.net, 12/23/2016

2016 FIAT 500 Easy 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl 5M)

Spouse and I found ourselves in a rush and needing a rental car. The only car immediately available was a Fiat 500 with automatic. We took it. On a 100 mile road trip to the event venue, the car proved to be more than adequate to the task. While acceleration was slow, once at speed the car maintained interstate speeds without trouble. We drove 80 and even 85mph, passing many more …

Great Car for the Money!

Ashley Stanley, 02/02/2017

2016 FIAT 500 C Easy 2dr Convertible (1.4L 4cyl 5M)

The 2017 500C Pop is the same as the 2016 500C Easy. I ended up purchasing the 2016 Easy, because there was one in a color I liked at the closest dealership. This model is an extremely affordable way to have a convertible, manual transmission, cruise control, great climate control, and bluetooth (U connect is super user friendly, I've never had a vehicle with bluetooth and started …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 FIAT 500, so we've included reviews for other years of the 500 since its last redesign.

See all 27 reviews of the FIAT 500

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2018 500 Highlights

Type:

Hatchback

Trim:

Pop

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$16,245
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$164/month
Seating	4 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	9.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the 500 models:

ParkSense Rear Park Assist System: Sounds an alert as the Fiat 500 approaches an object behind the car.
ParkView Rear Backup Camera: Displays an image of the area directly behind the car in the central touchscreen.
Hill Start Assist: Keeps the brakes applied even after you let your foot off the pedal while on a hill to prevent rolling backward.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Poor
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good