Fiat 500 Review

Fiat 500

The test car was in Cha Cha Azure, which is one of twelve exotically named colours. Rather than being a bright, Mediterranean blue, it is so pale that it could be described as white with a hint of blue and until I checked, I remained convinced that it was actually white. In combination with the ivory components, it reminded me of ice-cream but, in low, dappled sunlight, the strobe effect experienced when passing trees, is amplified by the high-gloss panel. Other combinations might be better.

I particularly liked the neat instrument pod behind the chunky, multi-functional, steering wheel. The nacelle is compact, thanks to the arrangement of the dials in concentric circles around a central information panel. It looks rather like a tuning dial from an old radio; an impression that is bolstered by the central, high-level, air vents along with tactile audio controls set into the same panel. This panel is echoed by another, below, containing the climate control functions.

In between are three shiny buttons, worthy of a Flash Gordon spaceship. Their functions vary depending on the trim level, which I will come back to.

Below the comfort control panel, sits the high-level gear selector pod. The gearknob for the manual’ box looks as if it belongs in a much larger vehicle but it fits nicely in the hand and the functionality of the change: whether it be 5- or 6-speed, is smooth and effortless. A Dualogic, automatic and sequential shift is available as an option on the petrol-engined versions.

The driver’s seat comes with height-adjustment to go with the rake-adjustable steering column, but the lever is on the left-hand side, right next to the parking brake so it is easy to reach for the wrong one, until you get used to it.

But that’s a small niggle and the blue and white chequered seat covers, in the test car, are enough to brighten any journey. I found the seats to be comfortable and well contoured but the circular headrests with a deep dimple in the middle, will reveal posture problems. It came as a surprise to me that I sit crookedly when driving and my head wasn’t in the right place on the headrest.

There are three trim levels; Pop, Lounge and Sport. There are also three engine options; a 1.2-litre, 8v FIRE, a 1.6, 16v, FIRE and a 1.3, 16v, Turbodiesel. A quick tot-up makes nine models in the range but curiously, only three prices. The 1.2 Pop starts the pricing at £7,900 but the 1.4 and 1.3 Pop along with the 1.2 Lounge are all £9,300. Then the 1.4, 1.3 Lounge and the 1.4 and 1.3 Sport bear a price tag of £10,700. It sounds complicated but it is really quite simple. Incidentally, some of the old 500s still achieve these prices.

For those who like to make their car stand out from the crowd, there is a list of optional extras, 100-items strong ranging from stripes and decals to much larger bits and pieces, many of which are dealer-fit, and many of which, are the result of the ‘500 wants you’ project. The Fiat 500 website went online in May 2006, a section of which is the ‘Concept-lab’ where a fair few of the 3,700,000 visitors posted their suggestions for accessories and options. My favourite is the car cover bearing an image of the 1957 model.

Fiat 500