Good review. I've owned over 30 cars in my life and my 2012 Fiat 500 Sport that I recently bought is the most fun car I've ever owned. My advice: Keep it in sport mode full-time. I still get around 33 mpgs in city/hwy mixed driving and the throttle response and acceleration is far better than non sport mode. Also, people assume because of its small size that you'd feel cramped inside...nonsense - I'm a 6' 250 lb weightlifter and I fit very comfortably behind the wheel. Entry and exit is easy, ergonomics are intuitive. The drive is great. Handling and turning is amazing. And while it's not technically fast, it feels fast, I get off the line very quickly and have even gotten some 2nd gear scratches. Many, many nice and surprising comments from friends and coworkers when I take them for a spin. Such a fun little car. I plan on getting a second one soon.
I'm a 6' 185lb ex-weight lifter and I fit well in my 2012 500 lounge as well, which is also verde chiaro like the one shown here. And Alex is right on all counts! I've owned '55 chevies, '68 Camaros, a 300Z, Maxima, Celica, numerous pick-up trucks, and lots of other vehicles I won't mention here; the 500 is far and away my all time favorite... and it ain't even close!
CAN CONFIRM! I've got my license this past September, and I drive a 2012 Fiat 500 Sport. Note that I am 6' 4" almost 300 pounds and I fit in NO problem! It's also SO much fun to drive it!
It cracks me up when people categorize a compact as a “good first car”… I turn 60 next Tuesday and as a life long enthusiast, I’ve owned over 100 cars. I brought home a new 2013 500 Sport yesterday. Fun is what it’s all about, not size (at least not in cars). In a sea of over-styled compacts measuring their prowess by way of their depth of hi-tech gadgetry, Kudos to Fiat for bringing back the pure fun. I can’t stop smiling.
Hill Start Assist is cool if you are nervous about driving a manual transmission. I learned on a car without it so I'm very happy that you can turn the Hill Start Assist off in the 500's EVIC menu.
I have a 2012 pop best car I have ever owned I went from a pontiac g6 GT and at first I missed my horse power but not any more this is a great little car have not had any problems with it and I have 39,000 miles all ready great on gas and I find if you spend the extra 25 cents for premium the car reacts better so worth the premium fuel and great gas mileage! In the city in the middle of last winter in Buffalo NY with the heat on all the time still getting 31+ and in the summer 41 mile to the gallon. I give the car a 4 1/2 stars out of 5!!!!
If you don't mind me asking how would the Fiat fair as a first car, as in the first car I will ever own? I want some insight from an owner before I make a move and buy one (I'm looking at a 500 pop).
I think it's a great first car you'd be better off in the automatic I prefer the 5 speed but if you're looking for a little bit more pep the automatic is for you. Very good on gas. I have not had any problems with my 2012 500 pop I would say go for it.
Stuart Walker Awesome. I don't know how to drive a manual yet, so i'm definitely going with the automatic. Last question: There's no issues with quality or anything like that right? The ride is fine and cabin noise is not bad? Because in the past Fiat was known for making poor quality cars. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions, thank you.
I've had a Fiat 500 Sport for 2 years now (5-speed, of course) and love it. To get into "sport mode", you have to push the SPORT button and THEN let off the gas pedal. Then the car changes pretty dramatically. This reduces power steering boost and improves steering feel, loads a different fuel map to sharpen the throttle response and make the engine more rev-happy. On automatic cars it holds each gear longer. I've had a Mini Cooper S and a Smart Cabrio. This is the best of the bunch...
Good review. Love the car. I have driven many 500s. They really go well. They are a stylish, quality little cars. And they get A LOT of attention whenever you go. Some people complain that they are not powerful or comfortable enough: not true. The Mini is a as rock solid as a wooden park bench, and also, unless you buy the Cooper (loaaaads of $$$) it's not that fast. Granted, it's an overall step up from the Cinquecento, but far more expensive. And I prefer the looks of the Fiat.
I've rented a few Fiat 500s over the years and now own a 2015 500 Abarth, my very first manual. Also my very first car! 😁 I like the hill start assist. It allows me to concentrate on taking off without worrying about rolling backwards or fiddling with the clutch and handbrake.
I own the Fiat 500C Manuel and love it. It's so much fun to drive!! My friends, coworkers and family could not believe when I traded-in my 2010 Acura TL SH AWD for my red top and brilliant red body Manuel FiatC!! But I would do it again!!! Six Audio controls are on the back of the steering wheeling! Hill assist is a great idea. Also love the bluetooth!!!
I absolutely love this car. I live in Italy and this car's been in my family for 6 years now, with the same 1.4 (not MultiAir though) and a 6-speed manual. I think it really can make you happy, 'cause it's fun to drive, beautifully styled and consumption's pretty low too. Anyway I love the hill hold assist system: 500's been my first car and when any other 18 y.o. kid stalled on hills I just pulled away very easily, and that's great.
@@sofiavalenzuela4745 It Is reliable, dont get brainwashed by stereotypes. Fiat has and still does legendary engines. My dad has a 2003 First series Fiat Panda and a 2004 Fiat Idea, never one single problem in the engine. They dont consume much if you're gentle with them
I considering buying the 2012 fiat 500 convertible, I really love it but I’m a bit cause of the stereotypes. Should I get it? It’s so cute and I really want it.
Lots of Italian style? The engine is made in the US, and 59% of the parts are from Mexican suppliers where its also assembled. The chassis and suspension were designed by Ford of Europe with primarily German engineers, called the "Ka" platform that was licensed by Fiat from them. Even in Europe, it is assembled in Poland and contains no Italian parts whatsoever. There is absolutely NOTHING Italian about this Chrysler, I mean Fiat, except the name.
I checked this car out at the auto show. When I got out, I turned to my wife and said "this is a perfect car for a teen age girl - its so cute.". As I did, a girl waiting to get in turned to her dad and said "See!". The dad gave me a death stare. :-)
I and my wife bought a Fiat 500 Sport model three weeks ago. Absolutely love it. It is so easy to park in the city. The hill assist is nice feature if one lives in San Francisco, which is a city close to mine. I definitely recommend people test-driving the Fiat 500 before making a decision between Mini and 500. By the way, I am also itching to test-drive the 500 e.
My last two cars were manual and I WISHED both had hill hold assist. Even with 10+ years of driving stick. Comes in handy when you're at a red light on a hill with the car behind you a mere feet from your rear bumper. I'm sure people in San Franciso shares my opinion. Plus, with today's drive-by-wire throttle dulling throttle response, HHA really comes in handy. Oh,BTW, can you detach the navi from the holder thingie? It would be nice if you can use it on other cars.
I think hill start assist is incredibly useful and would love to have that feature on my car. Rolling backwards as I'm transitioning from brake to gas is a bit unsettling to say the least.
That's part of my learning process on driving with a clutch. I grew up just north of Seattle. People would drive right up about a foot behind me on a hill. I quickly learned to let the foot off the brake while I let the clutch pedal out, then add ghastly to the equation by taking that same foot I just left off the middle brake pedal and pushing down the ghastly pedal. It's not easy - probably the toughest learning lesson for learning how to drive stick, because you can't just go back 2 feet or you're gonna bonk the car behind you right on its snout! Forced learning - quick! So, yeah, hill start assist should be useful on this car, because I'm sure not going to buy a 500 with an automatic transmission.
I'm on my 2nd car with hill start assist, and still appreciate it every time I need to use it. I see no disadvantage to having it and don't think it takes away from the driving experience.
WHAT'S THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THAT BEAUTIFUL SUBDUED GREEN COLOR? is it pale green or ivory green or similar? thats the color i want. please do not confuse with the brighter "baby green" which is similar. the pale green i like has a slight hint of grey. unfortunately it seems that its no longer offered. what sucks even more is also that manual transmission is no longer offered.
dont be cheap, get a damn hotel room! sheesh Only sleep in your car if your falling asleep behind the wheel, then find a rest stop and sleep in your car, but only then! lol
Hill holder option - yeah kind of a cop out I agree Emme! Part of the fun of mastering a manual shift is the thrill of negotiating "take off" on a steep hill!! Then again I learned how to drive s stick back in the 70's before these kinds of options were available (to the best of my knowledge?)! Liking your road tests and energy, keep up the great work!
Hill asist cool. I own a fiat 500 sport 1,4. The only problem i have with the car is that the suspension is extremely tough. But except that the car rocks!! I love it
The Mini is more expensive, but you also get a much nicer interior materials and under the bonnet technology. The driving position in a Mini is nicer as well, the 500 feels like an SUV.
MMM..hate women car reviewers.....but hay there is always exceptions. Nice review. Sat nav in the middle is quite a popular euro position. Though I am with you on having it at the side
godd job for not having the twinair becouse long story shot the tiny engine should get good milage becouse its tiny but it hasnt good milage couse the engine has to work too hard
Larry Shaw I am thinking about part exchanging my Mini for a Fiat 500. Are they really that nice to drive. Going to have a look at one next week (hopefully)
Check out our older videos. I did a first drive and a track video of the Abarth. It's rad. And for what it's worth, Fiat doesn't make a convertible 500. They make one with a glorified sunroof. :P -Emme@RoadflyTV
We did! There is a First Drive review and some track footage. RU-vid won't let me post a link, but just search our channel. And you should subscribe so you don't miss any of our reviews. -Emme@RoadflyTV
i loved the look. i test drove today. but was so uncomfortable in there. could not even see on the side or the back AT ALL. I mean at all. i had to just trust the mirror. and sport mode seemed to make it even harder to accelerate for some reason. weiird. i had suuch high hopes. im going to test drive again soon. but very disappointed. back seat head rests were terrible. and hit into ur neck
First, I like the idea of the hillstart assist. I can understand why a purist would nix it, but for me, I like it. Second, best part of the video happens at 3:50. I'll leave it at that! ;-) Lastly, the fun you are having in this video really comes through. My wife and I test drove a Beetle a few years ago. HAD. A. BLAST!!! So I know that of which you speak. We'll have to go test one of these. My wife really wants one. On to the Abarth review.
I drive and prefer manuals. I don't really see the need for hill decent control, but IMO no biggie if it's there. Seen these Fiats on the road and they are truely small - no baskets with the seat up? If I was looking for a small economical car that would put a smile on my face, sorry this wouldn't be it. A Mazda 2 (touring version I believe) would be tops on my list. Can you test one of these please?
If I were you, I'd just get the FIAT 500. In between not having any livable seats in either the Fortwo (a two-seat, MR (mid-engine, rear wheel drive) citycar) and iQ (a FWD three-plus-one citycar), a low amount of power in comparison to all FIAT 500 models, and not many choices in comparison, the 500 is a better candidate in my opinion. The only major selling point for both the fortwo and iQ is its' fuel efficiency. With the 500, you get that, and much more for a reasonable price.
my mum was struggling 2 years ago to decide which car to buy - the mini cooper or the fiat 500c. A very difficult decision i know, but in the end we went with the cooper. The mini was just more fun to drive, more economical (we got the diesel, great engine) and more spacious (we got the clubman because we have a dog and a tall family!). However, the 500c looks cooler and is a great little car, but the petrol wasn't what we wanted and it was too cramp inside.
hillhold assist should not be optional! it's great to have but it doesn't make you lazy. in fact, u're always ready to push your car forward while others are left behind climbing the hill. it's true as i have the same technology in my 2007 Fiat Bravo T-jet. it puts a =) as i watch others in my rear mirror struggling... =p
I test drove this car about a month ago, and I have to say, the ride was sooooooooo harsh. No way could I stand to be in this car for any extended length of time. Also, it broke down during the test drive and it had to be towed back to the dealership, with me and the car salesperson in the tow truck. It IS a pretty car though.
The hill holder kinda trips me up because I never had one before (or needed one). the hill holder produces a hesitation from the throttle response. It's like instead of me making decisions while driving, the car is over riding my inputs. I LOVED the "If you need a back up camera in this car you should have your license revoked" comment.
Ummm...."getting your knickers in a twist" means, basically, getting upset about something that's not really worth it...sounds from the rest of the review as though maybe you actually liked it. In the UK, one might choose either of "chuffed", "bloody alright", or even "really quite acceptable".
considering the majority of folks don't drive sticks anymore, nor really know how, hill assist, it is good thing. and i would think a car like that, like the fit, or yaris, are bought to do donuts, and see how fast you can go, in town. i would still feel like i am in bread bun.
+U ARAIN I hate people like you, always ready to criticize. Man chill out, she is good at what she does if a little annoying, but then again, we are not perfect either.
YES ! of course the hill start assist is useful !!!! it should be keep if you live in a hilly area. Emmy is the 5 speed tranny smooth to shift ?? or Not really ?? thank you Emmy ur awesome !!
Nice, just gets to pricey like th Mini when you get the options. Well stuff that is stock on a cheaper car like A/C and a armrest. I saw how they change the oil filter on them, to much work.
The 7- speaker bose audio is probably best in the market for 19k cars. The audio controls are in the back on the steering wheel. and Fiat gives you a flashy small fiat flash drive for the eco app.
@soyntgo4it I live in the UK where the diesel has been released... not everybody lives in america ya know. Oh and please don't tell me what to do and tell me that i am a "lier".... thanks..
I have a 2012 500 Sport and the hill start is really handy, but it is also able to be turned off by scrolling through the menu in the onboard somputer, so you can have the best of both worlds. Not a bad feature when I lived in San Francisco.
Hill start assist in a car sucks. Luckily it's easy to turn of using the EVIC in my Challenger. I did however like the hill start assist in my Jeep Wrangler for uphill crawling offroad.
Hey Emme, I do not think that Hill Start is a cop out. I love driving anything with a engine. I think hill start blends new tech to solve old problems. Doesn't bother me at all.
When hill start assist was mentioned it had me thinking for a moment that it had one of those dangerous "pretend parking brakes" or electronic parking brakes as they're known. I see though that it has a real lever type. It doesn't need hill start assist. If you can't do a hill start with a proper parking brake, you need more driving lessons.
Would this be a good first car for a teen? Also, what if your in a rural area, would driving this car be just plain boring if you mainly use highways/some in-town driving?
mini start at 20k but is bmw inside which mean devil ;) and is just another level if ur ready to pay 19k for fiat u sure can add 3k for mini which is full with awesomnes
I live in a super hilly town, and i often wish my Focus had hill start assist, especially with the people that like to sit right on your rear bumper, so i say cool!
have u driven the Fit or Fit Sport? i am thinking for most people it would be so much more practical because of the reliability but i don't know for sure.
