What's New
The 2020 Fiat 124 Spider can be dressed in a new graphics package called Scorpion Sting, featuring side stripes and a hood decal depicting the poisonous insect. Availability is limited to the sporty Abarth model. Otherwise, Fiat's two-seat convertible carries on unchanged.
Introduced for the 2017 model year, the 124 Spider is based on the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but gets it own Italian styling and Fiat drivetrains.
Choosing Your Fiat 124 Spider
The Fiat 124 Spider is offered in four trim levels: Classica, Urbana, Lusso, and Abarth. Pricing starts at $26,885 including destination for the Classica and goes up to $30,885 for the Abarth.
Engine Choices
Every 124 Spider carries Fiat's 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It delivers 160 horsepower (164 in the Abarth) and 184 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. That's enough to propel the 124 Spider with spirit thanks to a curb weight of just 2,346 pounds.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard across the board, but a six-speed automatic is available for $1,450 on all trims.
The 124 Spider is EPA-rated at 26 miles per gallon city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 combined with the manual, or 25/36/29 mpg (city/highway/combined) with the automatic.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Fiat 124 Spider only seats two passengers, but the seat runs the entire length of the interior, so they accommodate two adults surprisingly well. Storage space is limited to the 4.94-cubic foot trunk, enough for a few pieces of soft-sided luggage. A set of golf clubs is out of the question.
Safety Features
Small roadsters like the 124 Spider prioritize weight savings over safety technology. The only standard feature is the federally mandated backup camera.
The Lusso and Abarth can get adaptive LED headlights with washers ($995) and a Convenience Group ($1,495) that includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.
Connectivity
All Fiat 124 Spider models feature a 7-inch floating touchscreen, four speakers, and two USB ports. SiriusXM radio with a 12-month subscription is optional on the Classica ($395) and standard everywhere else.
The Lusso and Abarth can be equipped with navigation and a nine-speaker Bose audio system, which come bundled in the $1,295 Navigation and Sound Group.
The Classica carries a black cloth interior with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and push-button start. Outside are 16-inch aluminum wheels and LED taillights.
The $395 Technology Group adds Sirius XM and remote proximity keyless entry.
The Urbana is available as a package on the Classica and gets leather and microfiber seats with red stitching, fog lights, gloss black exterior accents, and 17-inch black wheels. The contents of the Technology Group come standard.
The Lusso wears a full leather interior with piano black trim, silver upper body trim, 17-inch silver wheels, and dual chrome exhaust tips.
The Visibility Group ($995) adds the adaptive LED headlights with automatic leveling as well as LED daytime running lights. The $1,495 Convenience Group bundles blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, auto-dimming and heated side mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, and a vehicle alarm.
The Abarth takes the 124 Spider in a sporty direction with a sport-tuned suspension, a sport driving mode, a limited-slip differential, 17-inch gunmetal wheels, and the 164-hp engine. The quad exhaust tips produce a throaty note. Leather and microfiber seats are standard, while full leather costs $595.
Exclusively available to the Abarth are Recaro sport seats ($1,195) and a hand-painted black racing stripe ($2,195). Brembo brakes are also available for $1,495. The Veleno Appearance Group ($495) includes a red lower lip on the front fascia, red mirror caps, a red tow eye-opening cap, a bright dead pedal, and Abarth-badged floor mats.
Compare 124 Spider Trims Side-By-Side
The 2020 Fiat 124 Spider Lusso and Abarth are reasonably priced for what you get and provide access to features that most buyers want. The real decision, then, is whether you have a hankering for luxury or sport.