After decades of being absent, Fiat has returned to Canada with its new 500.
Re-introduced in Europe back in 2007, Fiat intends to couple Italian Chic with affordability in the new 500. With its smooth lines and cute looks, the 2012 Fiat 500 is an attention getter wherever it goes.
Powered by a small 1.4-litre, 4-cylinder engine which produces 101 horsepower, the 500 comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission. For an extra $1,300, you can get it with a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
Safety-wise, the Fiat 500 is equipped with four-wheel ABS brakes, seven standard airbags, electronic stability control and Active Head Restraints which move into position to brace the front occupants' heads in a rear-end collision.
The stick model comes standard with a Hill Start Assist system, which holds the car in place for a few seconds to help prevent roll-back when starting from a standing stop on a steep incline.
Alltogether, the Fiat 500 appears to be a very safe car to drive.
Available in three styles called Pop, Sport, and Lounge, the Fiat 500 offers you the most for your money. You can choose between the 500 and the 500C, which is the convertible. The starting price of the Fiat 500 is $15,995 and goes up to $22,995 before taxes for the premium model.
The version I tested was the Fiat 500 Lounge, which starts at $19,500. It was equipped with the 5-speed manual, leather seats, heated mirrors, fog lights, A/C, a Bose® premium sound system and the Blue&Meâ„¢ Hands-Free Communication System.
Optional features on my tester included a power sunroof and the all-important "Smoker's Group," which included an ashtray and lighter – bringing the total MSRP up to $21,575 before taxes.
The advertised fuel economy is 6.7l/100km in the city and 5.1l/100km on the highway. I was able to get 6.1l/100km on combined highway and city driving and 5.8l/100km on a long distance trip from Oshawa to Kingston across Highway 401. All the while, in both tests, I was keeping up with traffic.
Art Deco style – clean, modern, with a touch of 50s class
The curves on the outside continue on the inside, giving the car a very Italian look. Everything is sleek and clean. And, the 500 badge adorns everything – from the floor mats, to the dash to the stitching in the front seats.
Everything inside the Fiat matches its tiny proportions on the outside – from the tiny sunvisors with sliding vanity mirrors to the small steering wheel to the driver-only armrest.
All the controls are easy-to-use and quick to decipher. However, I did find myself wishing to a have a few dials, especially for the audio controls.
The compact steering wheel had more controls on it than you could shake a stick at. Not only did it have the Bluetooth and cruise control switches on the front of the steering wheel, but I discovered the volume and radio controls on the back of the steering wheel. This setup made it very easy to adjust the volume, or change the station, without having to take your eyes off the road.
The speedometer and tachometer are situated directly behind the steering wheel in one compact circle. In the middle of this whole setup is other trip information, from how many kilometres you've done to your current speed – and even the radio station that it's set to – all designed to continue the clean design theme.
You get enough seating for four adults on a short-distance trip, or two adults and two children on a long-distance trip. The seats themselves are very comfortable – though it would've been nice to have adjustable front seatbelts. Also, the front headroom is pretty good for average-height occupants.
In the back, the same cannot be said.
The rear headrests, thankfully adjustable, dig really hard into your back if you don't move them before settling down. The headroom is OK for a very short drive, but I found my average-frame's head hitting the roof whenever I leaned back. The legroom wasn't too bad in the back though – as long as you didn't have any really tall people in the front who would slide their seat backward.
In spite of its small size, though, the Fiat 500 can still hold a lot of stuff inside. The trunk alone can carry a full-size travel suitcase, and two or three day bags. With the tiny space between the edge of the hatch and the parcel shelf, prying eyes would be hard-pressed to tell that the car was packed inside.
The ability to fold the rear seats forward expands the Fiat's cargo capacity, creating the space to easily do a golf trip with a buddy or take a week-long camping trip. Being a hatchback, you're able to pack to the roof if you wanted - and still have space to drive comfortably.
Like driving a go-cart – fun and easy
Driving the Fiat was as fun and easy as driving a go-cart. Shifting the gears was very simple and the gear selector was equally forgiving. You could get it up to speed very quickly.
Its ride comfort was surprisingly good for such a small car. During a four-hour drive, it did not feel like four hours were spent behind the wheel. It still felt like a long drive, but it wasn't a harsh small-car drive.
Unfortunately, with how high it sits on the road, you are subject to some of the stronger breezes out there.
When setting the cruise control, I found the digital display fluctuating too much for my comfort, so in the long-distance trip I didn't bother to keep it on. But unlike some other cars I have driven in the past, I didn't have to constantly fight the car to keep it at the desired speed.
The cruise control was still very easy to set and the digital read-out informs the driver immediately that the cruise control is on. Also with its small size, it is very quick on its feet.
The Fiat 500 Lounge that I was driving came equipped with a Sport button and by pushing it, the car's dynamics changed. The steering became stiffer, tightening up resistance with the wheels and most notably, the acceleration improved – changing the car from a city dweller to a country rover. The ride comfort was still the same, but I got more immediate responses from the car.
With its tiny size, a whole foot smaller than a three-door Toyota Yaris, the Fiat 500 is a very easy car to park. You'd be hard-pressed to find a spot you could not fit the 500 into. Though for added help, a rear park assist system is available for the Fiat if you feel the need for extra help now and then.
A fast, functional, Italian design statement, the Fiat 500 is a good little car and a great alternative to the pricier Mini Cooper – if you're looking to stand out amongst the crowd.
2012 Fiat 500 Lounge
- Type: Sub-Compact
- Price Range: $15,995 - $22,995
- Engine: 1.4-itre 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 101 hp
- Transmission: 5-speed Manual/6-speed Automatic
- Drive: Front-wheel drive
- Competitors: Mini Cooper, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, Mazda Mazda2, Hyundai Accent, Smart Fortwo, Honda Fit
