Why Owning a Fiat 500 Will Earn You Extra – and Inexpensive – Style Points

If you’re a budget-minded car shopper, but you’re unwilling to compromise on style, we’ll let you in on one of the best bargains in the business: a used Fiat 500 or 500e. With a rainbow array of available exterior colors and fun, quirky exterior styling, driving a Fiat is like transporting yourself to the Italian countryside – only better – and probably for less than the round trip airfare and hotel that a visit to Italy will cost.

The small-but-mighty subcompact Italian Fiat 500 (in Italian, it’s a Cinquecento) and Fiat 500e offered buyers a splash of whimsy with their practicality when they exploded on the American car scene back in 2012 and 2013. They delivered a trendy, fun alternative to the usual boring sedan or hatchback, and since Fiat decided to discontinue this adorable little coupe, they’re about to become scarce.

In the case of the 500e, Fiat Chrysler offered buyers, specifically residents of California, entry into the previously cost-prohibitive electric vehicle (EV) segment. The all-electric 500e launched in 2013 and, thanks to some very advantageous offers, gave buyers a welcome affordable option. Today, a used 500e is a good way to get into an EV at an affordable price.

2019 was the last year Fiat Chrysler offered the 500 and 500e in the U.S. Fiat sold just under 200,000 500s throughout its run, with peak sales volume during the 2012-2014 model year timeframe. What does all this mean for subcompact car shoppers? Getting your hands on a used Fiat 500 coupe or convertible, or 500E, means you’re getting a collector’s item. It’s only fitting since this little dynamo is a work of art unto itself.

What do we love about the Fiat 500 and 500e? Besides their obvious good looks, the highlights include impressive fuel economy, a diverse range of trims and packages for lifestyle and driving customization, and the opportunity to have a sporty five-speed manual transmission. Let’s take a look at the short-but-storied history of the Fiat 500 and 500e on American soil and all they offer used subcompact car buyers even after being discontinued.

Size and Handling

The tiny Fiat 500 is perfect for congested urban environments like the Los Angeles area. With a scant 90.6 inch wheelbase (just for fun, the Ram 1500 extended cab pickup has a 153.5-inch wheelbase, which means the 500 practically fits in the truck’s bed), the 500 is perfect for city driving and parking in tight spots, characteristics city dwellers will love. With its bite-sized dimensions, the Fiat 500 still offers over 30 cubic feet of cargo space, plenty of room for a grocery store run or a day of shopping.

The Fiat 500 gets an impressive fuel economy rating, delivering around 30 MPG city and 37 MPG highway. With a decent-sized 10.5-gallon tank, that means fewer trips to the gas station. The 500 is powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 101 horsepower and 98 lb-ft of torque, but since it weighs just 2,427 pounds, that’s plenty of power, especially during city driving. However, the 500 Abarth is a stylish sportster that conceals 160 horsepower in its unassuming frame.

The Fiat 500e, on the other hand, is fully-electric. It also enjoys slightly different styling, thanks to engineering tweaks to offset battery weight and increase aerodynamics. For 2013, the 500e delivered 111 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque via a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that weighs 642 pounds, giving the small car a range of roughly 87 miles on a full charge.

When engineers sculpted the 500e’s exterior to gain performance and overcome the extra battery weight, the result was a roughly 20 percent quieter interior cabin and a more aerodynamic profile that cut drag by almost 15 percent. These changes make it more efficient overall, especially at high speeds. Mileage ratings come in at an impressive 122 MPGe city and 108 MPGe highway.

Italian Interior

Inside is where the Fiat 500 and 500e shine, thanks to stylish interior appointments and comfortable seating. The impressive roof height helps tall occupants relax and feel like they have room to move, too. Overall, the Fiat 500 just feels bigger on the inside, and it’s that characteristic, along with its ample cargo space, that earns it points for practicality.

Practicality is only the beginning, though, because the Fiat 500 and 500e are also modern and edgy. The 500e offers a top-of-the-line Lounge trim that pours on the features, including automatic climate control, heated front seats, and remote keyless entry. The one-of-a-kind white and orange interior trim throughout, including an orange-trimmed steering wheel, are fun and youthful. They offer something just a little different.

Shopping for models from 2016 and later at your used Fiat dealer will get you a 5.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, which may seem small, but it’s proportionate to the Fiat’s interior and the available dash space. The gauge cluster is circular and mostly digital, and some models are equipped with parking sensors and a back-up camera. Opt for a 500 with fabric seat covers in a houndstooth pattern or even two-tone leather, and the interior takes on a custom Italian feel.

In terms of physical space, the Fiat 500 is impressive for its size, measuring in at 39-inches of front headroom, 49-inches of front shoulder room, and 40-inches of front legroom. Rear seat passengers will feel the pinch, though, with 36-inches of headroom, 46-inches of shoulder room, and 31-inches of legroom. Still, these are the interior dimensions of a much larger vehicle.

Exotic Exterior

The Fiat 500 may just be one of the most distinctive cars on the road, and most agree that the 500’s distinctive lines and infusion of style are what make it stand out in its category. Every model year gives buyers lots of style perks, but in 2017 Fiat simplified the trim offerings to just three: the base Pop, the Lounge, and the Abarth.

Put simply, the Fiat 500 and 500e are happy, smile-inducing little cars. Fiat infuses the 500 with just the right amount of angular lines to offset its boxy curb stance, and the slanted hood provides a hint of aggressiveness that conjures the ghost of a rally car. At an overall length of just 139.6-inches, the 500 will have no trouble sliding into even the tightest city parking spaces.

Opt for the Abarth trim, and you’ll get larger 16-inch wheels and special exterior badging, along with Abarth branding and a racing stripe down each side. Fiat even adds special exhaust pipes to the 500 Abarth, giving it a deep, throaty sound during acceleration that adds dimension to its sporty exterior look. This may just be one of the most practical sports cars ever made.

What we especially love about the Fiat 500 line of subcompact cars is the rainbow of colors available for both the interior and exterior. Choose from bold yellows and oranges that will have you reaching for your sunglasses, or pick a more subdued hue, like the soft green or grey for a European style. Find a car with the special white, red, or black exterior mirror caps, and you’ll distinguish the Fiat’s exterior style even more.

Whatever you choose, the Fiat 500 and 500e will surely dress up your driveway. The best news of all? You’ll get all the style and fun without the hefty price tag. Even new, these vehicles were mostly priced under $20,000, which means they’re an even better deal used. The Fiat 500 and 500e are your ticket to an exotic European car, with all the style and none of the mind-blowing expense. Contact us today to set up a test drive.