Flash Drive

2017 Fiat 500

August 7, 2017 - Behind The Wheel - Comments: 

Model Tested: 2017 Fiat 500 Pop Hatchback

The 2017 Fiat 500 Pop with Sport Black Trim Package has one-of-a-kind styling that harkens back to the original tiny Fiats of the fifties and sixties.

Engine: 1.4-liter I-4, 101 horsepower 97 lb-ft torque

Transmission: 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel-drive

EPA Rating: 27-mpg city/33-mpg highway/29-mpg combined

Base Price: $14,995

As Tested: $19,120

Performance:

Excellent fuel economy; our best was 35.0 hwy

Sport mode only marginally sportier

Optional engines much more sporty

Manual transmission makes better use of power

Reasonably efficient automatic transmission

2017 Fiat 500 Pop hatchback increases interior flexibility.

Pretty smooth highway ride

Comfort:

Stretch-out front passenger legroom

Near stretch-out driver legroom

Thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel

Very good auxiliary controls

Tilt only, no telescopic

Firm, supportive seats, but no lumbar adjustment

Seat height pump

Small, fold-down center armrest

Small, rather hard headrests

Cloth headliner

Excellent headroom

Front seat space and comfort are very good, but the rear seats are best for packages or small dogs.

Utility:

Big doors open wide

OK outward visibility

Narrow, full-length front door bins

Very small (5-inch) infotainment screen

Excellent head clearance for rear hatch

USB port in glovebox

Two front cupholders

Tiny storage net on passenger side of console

Very small visors

Large glovebox, but no lock

One seatback pouch

Limited storage space behind seats

The Fiat 500 seats are height adjustable. Headroom is great.

Split folding seats don’t fold very flat

WOW Factors:

Nimble, fun to drive

Great city car, easy to park

Excellent fuel economy

Cute, throwback styling

Low price

Whines:

Minimal backseat space

Strains on steep hills

Too small sun visors

Lots of hard interior plastic

The headrests are small and quite hard.

Bottom Line:

The 2017 Fiat 500 Pop Hatchback is a fun little economy car that’s well suited to two people with occasional, short duration rear passengers. The hatchback and folding seats increase functionality. Fuel economy is very good. The Fiat’s small size and nimble handling make it an excellent city commuter.