2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth
What’s new
- New 1957 Edition exterior and interior appearance package
- Part of the first 500 generation introduced for 2012
Pros & Cons
- Nimble size for easy parking
- Fairly comfortable ride quality for a car of this size
- Lots of personality for the price
- Disappointing fuel economy given the slow acceleration
- Cramped interior
- Poor rear visibility with the convertible's top lowered
- Abarth model isn't very quick or much fun
Which 500 does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
The 2019 Fiat 500 answers a very specific question: What do you buy if you want a tiny car that combines a bit of nostalgia with distinct European styling? As a two-door subcompact, the 500 is certainly small. And with styling cues that clearly harken back to the original Fiat 500 of the 1950s, it's got the nostalgia and styling angle handled. But how does it do as a modern daily driver? That answer isn't as rosy.
To the 500's credit, it's one of the easiest cars you'll ever park. Its scant dimensions make it ideal for crowded cities, and its nimble nature lends an advantage in traffic. Unfortunately, those same dimensions mean your people-carrying space is limited. Most adults in the front seat will be relatively comfortable, but the back seat is basically a glorified shelf. The trunk is just as small.
Under the hood, the 500 gets an equally tiny turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. It provides a certain amount of personality that helps the 500 feel eager and spritely around town, but the reality is that the 500 is still one of the slowest cars in the segment. Fuel economy is disappointing as well.
Ultimately, the 2019 Fiat 500 is an interesting option for subcompact shoppers, but it's not our first choice. Competitors are less expensive in many cases and offer more amenities. If you need a bit more space, we recommend looking at four-door subcompacts such as the Kia Rio or the Honda Fit. And if you've got your heart set on a two-door city car, we suggest looking at the standard Mini Cooper or even an electric Fiat 500e, which we prefer to the gasoline-powered model.
2019 FIAT 500 models
The 2019 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. Three trim levels are available: Pop, Lounge and Abarth.
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: 160 hp and 170 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 center 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 Lounge trim is a bit more luxury-oriented so it 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 the Abarth as options. Other notable options include a 1957 Edition package (special colors and badging), a sunroof for coupe models, 17-inch wheels for the Abarth, a BeatsAudio sound system, a navigation system, and a variety of exterior and interior styling enhancements.
Scorecard
| Overall | undefined / 5 |
Driving
Comfort
Interior
Utility
Sponsored cars related to the 500
Features & Specs
| C Abarth 2dr Convertible 1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M | |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $21,990 |
| MPG | 28 city / 33 hwy |
| Seating | Seats 4 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Horsepower | 160 hp @ 5500 rpm |
Safety
Our experts’ favorite 500 safety features:
- 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 4 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
| Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4 / 5 |
| Driver | 4 / 5 |
| Passenger | 3 / 5 |
| Side Crash Rating | Rating |
| Overall | 5 / 5 |
| Side Barrier Rating | Rating |
| Overall | 5 / 5 |
| Driver | 5 / 5 |
| Passenger | 5 / 5 |
| Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings | Rating |
| Front Seat | 5 / 5 |
| Back Seat | 5 / 5 |
| Rollover | Rating |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 |
| Dynamic Test Result | No Tip |
| Risk Of Rollover | 14.7% |
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
| Side Impact Test | Good |
|---|---|
| Roof Strength Test | Good |
| Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint | Good |
| IIHS Small Overlap Front Test | Not Tested |
| Moderate Overlap Front Test | Good |
Fiat 500 vs. the competition
Fiat 500 vs. Mini Hardtop 2 Door
Between the 500 and the Mini Hardtop, our choice is definitely the Mini. The Mini is roomier and more powerful yet is still nimble enough for easy parking. You'll have to pay more to get a Hardtop, but but we think it's worth the cost.
Fiat 500 vs. Kia Soul
The Kia Soul is completely redesigned for 2020. But in the last year of this generation, we still recommend the 2019 Kia Soul over the Fiat 500. Sure, it's larger and has four doors, but the Kia Soul is still small and maneuverable. Plus, it's priced reasonably and has a more appealing mix of features.
Fiat 500 vs. Kia Rio
Full of modern tech and lots of standard features, the 2019 Kia Rio is one of our favorite small hatchbacks. It has sporty handling characteristics along with an affordable price. It is also well-built for such an inexpensive car. As is the case with the Soul, the Rio is four doors, so it won't fit in some of the same tiny places that the Fiat 500 will.
FAQ
Is the FIAT 500 a good car?
What's new in the 2019 FIAT 500?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2019 FIAT 500:
- New 1957 Edition exterior and interior appearance package
- Part of the first 500 generation introduced for 2012
Is the FIAT 500 reliable?
Is the 2019 FIAT 500 a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2019 FIAT 500?
The least-expensive 2019 FIAT 500 is the 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth 2dr Convertible (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $21,990.
Other versions include:
- C Abarth 2dr Convertible (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M) which starts at $21,990
What are the different models of FIAT 500?
More about the 2019 FIAT 500
2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth Overview
The 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth is offered in the following styles: C Abarth 2dr Convertible (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M).
What do people think of the 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2019 500 C Abarth 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2019 500 C Abarth.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth and all model years in our database. Our rich analysis includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2019 500 C Abarth featuring deep dives into trim levels including C Abarth, etc. with careful analysis around pricing, features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving and performance. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Read our full review of the 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth here.Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on new cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarths are available in my area?
2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth Listings and Inventory
Simply research the type of used car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap used cars for sale near you. Once you have identified a vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth.
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2019 [object Object] 500 C Abarth for sale near you.
Can't find a new 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth 500 C Abarth you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new FIAT 500 for sale - 7 great deals out of 23 listings starting at $13,833.
Find a new FIAT for sale - 9 great deals out of 14 listings starting at $10,966.
Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including all models of the 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth and all available trim types: C Abarth. Rich, trim-level features & specs and options data tracked for the 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth include (but are not limited to): MSRP, available incentives and deals, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (interior and exterior color, upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, cruise control, parking assistance, lane sensing, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy and MPG (city, highway, and combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (interior cabin space, vehicle length and width, seating capacity, cargo space). Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds expert review, safety rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2019 FIAT 500 C Abarth?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out FIAT lease specials