The original Fiat 500 acquired its name from its engine. Made with a 479 cc (500 cc nominal, hence the name) two-cylinder engine, it delivered up to 13 horsepower. This small city car has been in production from 1957 to date. Over the years, it has had some exceptional but also troublesome model years. So, what is the best year for Fiat 500?
The best year for Fiat 500 is the 2018 model year. It is followed closely by the 2019 and 2020 model years. Unlike previous Fiat model years with a turbocharged engine, the 2018 model year registers a few issues and it is cheap to maintain. Additionally, it has exceptional features such as a sport-tuned suspension, a backup camera, 16-inch wheels, and a performance braking system.
Wondering how good Fiat 500 is in general, then read this.
Why is the 2018 Fiat 500 the best Fiat 500 model year?
The 2018 Fiat 500 is the best Fiat 500 model year because of the exceptional features that it comes with. Additionally, the car performs exceptionally well and is very reliable. So, the user or owner won’t spend most of their time in the garage but on the road.
Features of the 2018 Fiat 500
Appearance
Like most Fiat 500 models, the 2018 model looks elegant with a stylish and modern exterior. However, the interior is not so impressive. Some of the features that stand out are the 16-ich wheels, painted metal dashboard, subtle retro touches, and stylish door handle.
Performance
The manufacturer offers three trim options, including the Pop Hatchback, 1957 Edition Hatchback, ad Lounge Hatchback. All of these trims are equipped with a 1.4-liter inline-4 gas engine ad a 5-speed manual transmission. The base engine delivers up to 101 hp and 97 lb-ft of torque, while the turbocharged engine in the Abarth trims delivers up to 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque.
Comfort and cargo space
The 2018 Fiat 500 comes with a cramped interior. Adults will have a hard time feeling comfortable as the legroom is not so good. Furthermore, the material used in the interior is not top-notch as its competitor boasts of a more vibrant and upscale interior. The rear seats are also cramped and best suited for kids.
Aside from having a cramped interior, the 2018 Fiat 500 also comes with a small cargo space. It has a total of 9.5 cubic feet of space in the trunk and 30.1 cubic ft of space when the rear seats are folded.
Fuel-efficiency
Excellent fuel efficiency is one of the features that made people fall in love or even love the 2018 Fiat 500. This car comes with an EPA rating of 28 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and a combined 30 mpg. It is very efficient and will help you save some cash o fuel.
Safety
Fiat is not popular for making safe and secure cars like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Volvo. Nonetheless, their cars are still pretty safe, although the 2018 Fiat 500 doesn’t feature a lot of driver assistance features. Some of the commendable safety features that this car has include traction & stability control systems, 7 airbags, and active head restraints.
Basic features such as parking sensors cannot be found on the base model. On top of that, advanced features like active lane control and the automatic emergency braking are not featured in the entire 2018 Fiat 500 lineup.
Price
The 2018 Fiat 500 is quite affordable. Its original MSRP started at $16,245 to $20,495. Currently, a new 2018 Fiat 500 model year has a starting price of around $14,941 which goes up to around $19,967. So, this car holds its value well. Nonetheless, it is still one of the most affordable small-city cars on the market.
Nevertheless, if you’re looking for quality used 2018 Fiat 500 cars, you may get them at an even cheaper cost.
FAQ
What is the worst Fiat 500 model year?
With regard to the CarComplaints website, the 2012 Fiat 500 model year is the worst Fiat 500 model year. This is because this car comes with a lot of issues that make it costly to own ad maintain. Some of the common problems that the 2012 Fiat model year faces include transmission problems, braking issues, electrical problems, and clutch issues.
Are Fiat 500 cars reliable?
When you compare Fiat with other Italian car brands, you will find that they are pretty reliable. On the other hand, if you compare Fiat 500 with similar cars in the market, you will discover that they are not so reliable. Overall, Fiat 500 registers slightly above-average reliability, which is reasonably good.
How long does the Fiat 500 last?
The average lifespan of the Fiat 500 depends on the owner. If the owner drives the car properly and carries out proper care and maintenance, the car should last for more than 200,000 miles. Some Fiat 500 owners have recorded clocking more than 500 miles. But lack of proper care and maintenance will lead to costly repairs and the car may not last for more than 150,000 miles.
Is it expensive to maintain the Fiat 500?
No, it is not expensive to maintain the Fiat 500. Maintaining the Fiat 500 is way cheaper than the industry average for small cars. On average, it will cost you between $400 and $530 to maintain the Fiat 500. On the other hand, the industry average for maintaining small cars is around $452.
Does the Fiat 500 hold its value?
Most Italian cars do not hold their value well. However, Fiat is slightly different as it holds its value better than most Italian car brands. On top of that, the Fiat 500 is among the Fiat 500 models that depreciate slowly. So, it holds its value very well.
It is estimated that the Fiat 500 will depreciate by at least 28% after 5 years of ownership. This is better than the industry average of 40%. Therefore, the Fiat 500 holds its value very well.
Summary
If you’re looking to buy a quality used Fiat 500, consider getting the 2018 model year. This is because it is very reliable and comes with top-notch features that will make your ride memorable. On the contrary, you should stay away from the 2012 and 2013 model years as they have a lot of issues. Unless you want to spend more time in the garage than on the road.