Expert Review
Fiat 500 Hatchback (2020 - ) review
Read all about the new Fiat 500, a 'mild hybrid' boost for improved fuel consumption and emissions helping to keep the retro-themed favourite relevant against fresher rivals
Words by: Ivan Aistrop
Additional words by: Auto Trader
Last updated on 10 June 2020 | 0 min read
The Auto Trader expert verdict:
3.3
Available new from £16,790
The Fiat 500 is getting on a bit now but has been updated with a new 'mild hybrid' engine on all models other than those with the 'Dualogic' automatic gearbox. The new engine is impressively refined and uses a fancier start-stop system to help save a bit of fuel around town but you'll have to wait a while yet for the full electric 500. As it stands the 500 trades heavily on nostalgia and still looks cute but feels somewhat crude compared with newer rivals. Click here for our Expert Review of the brand-new, all-electric version of the Fiat 500.
Reasons to buy:
- Cute, cheeky looks
- Retro-styled interior
- Low running costs
Running costs for a Fiat 500
Making hybrids viable in the cost-conscious city car segment is a tough challenge for manufacturers but Fiat has successfully grasped the nettle and breathed fresh life into its long-lived 500 with an electric kick. It isn’t a full hybrid like a Prius, rather it’s small electric motor combined with a new 1.0-litre petrol for a small power boost and more sophisticated start-stop system to save fuel in city driving. It’s broadly equivalent to the outgoing 1.2 for power but Fiat claims CO2 reductions of nearly a fifth and says the small extra cost of the system will repay itself in savings on tax and petrol within the first year of ownership. The purchase price is competitive too, being a few hundred pounds more than a Toyota Aygo but comparable with a VW Up while better on fuel and emissions. Bargain hunters, meanwhile, can seek deals on the remaining stock of the outgoing 1.2 and TwinAir versions. If you're serious about saving on running costs you may be better off with the all-electric Fiat 500e, though. It looks similar but is, in fact, an all-new car - click here for our full Expert Review.
Expert rating: 3/5
Reliability of a Fiat 500
Fiat currently holds a solid mid-table position in the manufacturer rankings of Warranty Direct’s Reliability Index, and as an individual model, the 500 fares pretty well, too. It’s worth noting, though, that almost half the faults reported centre around axle and suspension problems. The car comes with a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty, which is competitive by class standards, although some rivals – like the Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto – are a lot more generous.
Expert rating: 3/5
Safety for a Fiat 500
Standard safety kit includes front, side and curtain airbags, plus another to protect the driver’s knees. Stability control, hill start assist and tyre pressure monitoring are also standard. All but the most basic trim get fog lights and parking sensors too. But, compared with more up to date alternatives like the Hyundai i10, there’s no escaping the Fiat 500 is showing its age and it lacks the autonomous emergency braking, blind spot warnings and other active safety features buyers now take for granted.
Expert rating: 3/5
How comfortable is the Fiat 500
True, the streets of Bologna where we tested the new 500 Hybrid are pretty terrible with big potholes and lots of cobbled sections but, from previous experience, the ride has never been a strong point on any surface. Put simply it feels crude and hard work on the urban streets it should shine on, while lacking refinement beyond city limits. It’s not helped by a driving position so high it feels like you’re sitting on a bar stool, no reach adjustment in the wheel and seat cushions too short for longer-legged drivers. The steering is also unnaturally light while the hybrid system’s regeneration means inconsistent braking that can be hard to judge. For all that it’s still a fun car to zip around in, the character counting for a lot. Obviously, you can’t expect a city car to have tons of space but, even by the standards of its class, the 500’s cabin is pretty cramped and the lack of a five-door option is limiting. Some of the ergonomics are pretty bad too, the fact you can easily mistake the seat height adjuster for the handbrake just one example. In summary the 500 still looks chic but there’s no escaping the style comes before substance, both in the way it goes and how comfortable it is to be in.
Expert rating: 2/5
Features of the Fiat 500
The 500 has been on sale for a long time now and Fiat is constantly tweaking the model line-up and offering new options and special editions to keep it fresh. Customisation of paint, interior trim, wheels and decals are a big part of the 500 offer too and there’s a bewildering array of choice here. One consistent theme is that the most basic model in the range really is that, but you could argue that’s true to the original 500’s minimalist roots. Realistically though you’re likely to want the air conditioning, DAB, Bluetooth, parking sensors and other modern conveniences you get as you move up the trim levels. A decent sized touchscreen is standard on all but the most basic model, some versions including navigation too but all featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you’d rather use phone-based apps instead.
Expert rating: 3/5
