The 2019 Fiat 500 may not be as small as the original 500 from the 1950s, but the subcompact hatchback is one of the smallest vehicles offered in the U.S. Besides its tiny footprint that makes the 500 ideal for urbanites, the highly-customizable hatch puts retro styling, fun, and quirkiness first. Sure, the 500 may not have the same space as rivals or the same levels of comfort, but few can match the model in charm.
What's New for 2019
For 2019, the Fiat 500 gets some more standard equipment, which includes 16-inch wheels, performance brakes, a performance suspension, a rearview camera, body-color front and rear fascias, a spoiler, fog lights, and a “Turbo” badge. A new 1957 Retro Edition trim has been added to the lineup and dials the 500's retro theme up to 11.
Choosing Your Fiat 500
All Fiat 500 models are powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Every trim except for the high-performance Abarth comes with a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four that produces 135 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, while a six-speed automatic transmission is available for an extra $995. Move up to the Abarth, and you'll get a raucous variant of the 1.4-liter engine that cranks out 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque.
Thanks to its compact size, the 500 has impressive fuel economy figures. The EPA rates the vehicle to get up to 28 miles per gallon city, 33 mpg highway, and 30 combined. While these numbers aren't stellar, they're good for the segment.
Cargo space, as one would expect with such a tiny car, is limited to say the least. With the rear seats in place, you get 9.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold the rear seats down, and there's a more usable 30.1 cubic feet of space. Opt for a Cabrio (convertible) model, and you're looking at just 5.4 cubic feet of cargo space.
The 500 is available in four trims, each of which are available as a hatchback or a Cabrio for a $1,495 upcharge.
If performance is your thing, the Abarth is the only way to go. If it isn't, our choice of the 2019 Fiat 500 lineup is the Pop trim. It still has the European flair and eccentric character that we've come to love about the 500, but is much more reasonably priced. Plus, other trims don't really add that many more features to justify the extra price.