Review: Fiat 500 (2015-on)

Overview

Commencing production in October 2015 and officially released in Australia in February 2016, the Fiat 500 was a light, three-door hatchback. Manufactured in Tychy, Poland, the front-wheel drive Fiat 500 was powered by 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines for the Pop and Lounge editions, respectively.

In March 2017, however, the Fiat 500 range was revised as the Lounge editions were powered by 1.2-litre engines and the 1.4-litre engines were no longer available.

Body and dimensions

Sharing its platform with the 2007-15 Fiat 500 , the 2016 Fiat 500 was 25 mm longer (at 3571 mm), but width (1627 mm), height (1488 mm) and wheelbase length (2300 mm) were unchanged. Boot capacity for the Fiat 500 was 185 litres, though cargo capacity increased to 550 litres when the rear seats were folded.

Compared to its predecessor, the 2016 Fiat 500 had new soundproofing panels in the wheel wells and firewall for a quieter cabin. Depending on engine and transmission choice, kerb weight ranged from 865 kg to 940 kg.

Suspension

The Fiat 500 had MacPherson strut front suspension with shock absorbers and coil springs; models with electric power steering also had an anti-roll bar. At the rear, the Fiat 500 had a torsion beam rear axle with shock absorbers, coil springs and an anti-roll bar.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Fiat 500 included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the 2017 Fiat 500 received a three star safety rating which consisted of a 66 per cent adult occupant protection rating, a 49 per cent child occupant protection rating, a 53 per cent pedestrian rating and a 27 per cent ‘safety assist’ rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the front occupants was rated good and adequate for various body regions. In the frontal full width test, however, head protection was rated as poor for the driver and rear passenger such that no points were awarded.

Features: Fiat 500 Pop

Standard features for the Fiat 500 Pop included 15-inch alloy alloys in Glossy Silver, 185/55 R15 tyres, a ‘Uconnect’ multimedia system with 5.0-inch touch screen, six speaker sound system with digital radio tuner (DAB), auxiliary socket (3.5 mm) and USB inputs, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming with voice command, ‘Chevron’ two-tone cloth upholstery, air conditioning, LED daytime running lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, 50/50 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power adjustable and heated door mirrors, power windows, a height adjustable steering wheel, tyre pressure monitoring system, 12 volt power socket, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

Features: Fiat 500 Lounge

Compared to the 500 Pop, the Fiat 500 Lounge was further equipped with satellite navigation system, premium seat upholstery with check design, rear parking sensors, seven-inch TFT instrument cluster display, height adjustable driver’s seat, floor mats and a fixed glass sunroof. Visually, the Fiat 500 Lounge could be identified by its chrome front grille surround, sill plates, window surrounds and rear bumper insert.

2017 Fiat 500 60^thAnniversario

The Fiat 500 60th Anniversario was released in Australia in November 2017 to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary since Fiat 500 production began in Turin, Italy. Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine and based on the Fiat 500 Lounge, the Fiat 500 Anniversario was distinguished by its:

• 16-inch ‘vintage style’ alloy wheels with an alternative diamond finish design;
• Chrome accents on the bonnet and mirror caps;
• Individually numbered ‘Anniversario’ build plaque;
• New seats in horizontal striped fabric with contrast piping and embroidered 500 logo;
• Vintage Fiat logos and ‘Anniversario’ embroidered floor mats; and,
• Availability in Riviera Green and Sicilia Orange paint finishes.

Australian deliveries of the Fiat 500 Anniversario were limited to sixty (60) vehicles.

2018 Fiat 500 Collezione Spring Edition

The Fiat 500 and 500C Collezione Spring Editions were released in Australia in October 2018. Based on the Fiat 500 Lounge, the Collezione Spring Edition could be identified by its 16-inch ‘design’ alloy wheels, two-tone bianco gelato and lunare grey paint finish, chrome exterior elements (for the bonnet line, door mirror covers and bumper inserts) and a rear ‘Collezione’ badge; the 500C Collezione Spring Edition also had a grey soft top roof

Inside, the 500 Collezione Spring Edition had a white dashboard insert, striped seat inserts with grey highlights, an ivory-coloured ‘500’ logo and piping on the seats, and embroidered ‘Collezione’ floor mats. Deliveries of the Fiat 500 and 500C Collezione Spring Editions were limited to seventy (70) vehicles.

2019 Fiat 500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition

The Fiat 500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition was released in August 2019 and based on the Fiat 500 Lounge. Visually, the Fiat 500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition could be identified by it 16-inch copper-coloured alloy wheels, two-tone Bordeaux and Grey Solid paint finish, front fog lights, body-coloured door mirror covers and ‘Collezione’ badge. Inside, the 500 Collezione Fall/Winter edition had a grey dashboard with copper liner, striped seat inserts, embroidered floor mats and, for the seats, piping and ‘500’ logos.

With manual and semi-automatic transmissions, the Fiat 500 Collezione Fall/Winter Edition had a recommended retail prices of $21,990 and $23,490, respectively.

Specifications

• Specifications: Fiat 500 and 500 C (February 2016)
• Specifications: Fiat 500 and 500 C (October 2017)

Related links

• Behind the Wheel: 2016 Fiat 500 Pop Review
• Wikipedia.org: Fiat 500
• Fiat Press: The New Fiat 500