2019 FIAT 500 Review
2019 FIAT 500 Review





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Used 500 for sale
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2019 FIAT 500 appraisal values can range from $11,909 - $15,561.
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Edmunds' Expert Review

byTravis Langness
Reviews Editor
Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.Pros
- Nimble size for easy parking
- Fairly comfortable ride quality for a car of this size
- Lots of personality for the price
Cons
- 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
What's new
- New 1957 Edition exterior and interior appearance package
- Part of the first 500 generation introduced for 2012
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 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 $4.53 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$187/mo
500 Pop
vs
$197/mo
Avg. Compact Car
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.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
Driving
While it may be nimble and maneuverable, the 500 definitely isn't sporty. Even the Abarth model, with 160 horsepower, can spin the front tires at full throttle but instrumented acceleration numbers are less impressive. It can barely keep up with the base Mini Cooper Hardtop, let alone the Cooper S model.
Comfort
Limitations to the 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.
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.
Utility
The cabriolet's trunk only measures 5.4 cubic feet, roughly half the capacity of the hatchback model (9.5 cubes). 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.
Which 500 does Edmunds recommend?
With only three available trim levels, choosing your particular Fiat 500 should be relatively easy. The entry-level Pop might be tempting, but we think the best pick is the midlevel Lounge trim. It's a significant price difference, but you get lots of extras that make the 500 more livable, such as automatic climate control, leather upholstery, rear parking sensors, and heated front seats.
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.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 FIAT 500.
5 star(89%)
4 star(0%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(11%)
9 reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Makes me feel like I’m in a ‘50s movie
Bill Kupersmith,03/26/2019
Pop 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
What I like best is the feeling of safety. That may seem paradoxical for such a small car. But being able to manouevre quickly whilst using little space is the easiest way to avoid other cars and obstacles. Quite love it.
5 out of 5 stars
Not a clue
JM,11/10/2019
Abarth 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
Article missed the mark. Abarth owners don't buy this car for the vanilla conveniences of an ordinarily car. Engine drone??? This is Carl Abarth's signature exhaust sound. Fast no, quick yes, and you'll be hard pressed to find a better deal for track performance off the floor. This is an Italian car enthusiast's entry level dream. The Fiat 500 racing heritage transferred well to this … modern Cinquecento, Ciao!
5 out of 5 stars
Slow and not fun??? WTH???
Ted Seven,04/17/2020
Abarth 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
Edmunds probably forgot to push the SPORT button and also release the handbrake. We had 3 Abarth and if mine is highly modified and VERY quick (or "slightly" fast), my wife's stock Abarth is a lot of fun and absolutely not slow! The car is fun on any roads, canyon drives are a blast and gas mileage, if not the best in its class, is absolutely reasonable. You cannot get a new one any … longer, but if you are looking for a fun car to drive every day, you can get a manual Abarth for under $6,000 now...
5 out of 5 stars
Fast, fun and cheap to keep
Frank ,01/07/2020
C Abarth 2dr Convertible (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
You can't have more fun for the price. It's very reliable, has a robust network of aftermarket vendors, and it never loses its appeal. Highly underrated by the market. The top is brilliant: it still maintains body rigidity with no cowl shake. There is also far more visibility than the Mini, especially when the top is up.
July 2020- still own it and still a great experience.
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
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover14.7%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Side Impact TestGood
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
- IIHS Small Overlap Front TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
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More about the 2019 FIAT 500
Used 2019 FIAT 500 Overview
The Used 2019 FIAT 500 is offered in the following submodels: 500 Hatchback, 500 Abarth, 500 Convertible, 500 C Abarth. Available styles include Pop 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M), Abarth 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M), Lounge 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M), C Abarth 2dr Convertible (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M), C Lounge 2dr Convertible (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M), C Retro 2dr Convertible (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M), C Pop 2dr Convertible (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M), and Retro 2dr Hatchback (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 5M). Pre-owned FIAT 500 models are available with a 1.4 L-liter gas engine, with output up to 160 hp, depending on engine type. The Used 2019 FIAT 500 comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed manual. The Used 2019 FIAT 500 comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 4 yr./ unlimited mi. roadside warranty, and a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2019 FIAT 500?
Price comparisons for Used 2019 FIAT 500 trim styles:
- The Used 2019 FIAT 500 Pop is priced between $19,590 and$25,590 with odometer readings between 1974 and29908 miles.
- The Used 2019 FIAT 500 C Pop is priced between $25,000 and$25,000 with odometer readings between 14459 and14459 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used 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 used 2019 FIAT 500S are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2019 FIAT 500 for sale near. There are currently 7 used and CPO 2019 500S listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $19,590 and mileage as low as 1974 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2019 FIAT 500.
Can't find a used 2019 FIAT 500s you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a used FIAT 500 for sale.
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Should I lease or buy a 2019 FIAT 500?
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
Check out FIAT 500 lease specials
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