Released in 2007, the first generation Fiat 500 will last until 2015, even if its atypical style has practically not changed in the sixteen years of its existence on the market.
If we don’t like the design of this city car, we still have to admit that it is different from others in the car market. All round, with large headlights that look like eyes, this Fiat 500 has unusual lines among other manufacturers, on a micro scale. Its length is only 3.55 meters. Easy to park almost anywhere.
The interior of the Fiat 500 is also neo-retro
Inside, the Fiat 500 has hardly changed. There aren’t many differences between the 2023 model and the 2007 model, except for the center screen. We find a rounded exterior style, whether at the level of the buttons or even in the design of the rack. Chrome inserts also complement the interior and compensate for this with the plastic of the lower console, which is easy to scratch. The cabin is also colorfully styled, mainly thanks to the large body-colored stripe that runs along the entire instrument panel.
A small engine at home in the city
A rare thing, but that’s why we recommend the small 1.2 69 engine instead. It’s more than enough if you’re mostly doing short trips. With near-flawless reliability, it also allows the Fiat 500 to take the main roads, shall we say, a little more calmly. Its version in a robotic box, the 1.2 69 Dualogic, is more expensive and can cause some transmission problems. For those who really want to get out of town, the 1.4 100 can be a good alternative. However, its 6-speed gearbox increases the Fiat 500’s turning radius.
As for the diesel, you can already finish it, which, by the way, is not so bad for a city car that risks driving exclusively on ZFE. The 1.3 multi-jet engine is extremely unreliable, leading to engine failure.
La Bonne Occaz, a secondhand podcast signed by AutoPlus
La Bonne Occaz is an AutoPlus podcast dedicated to used vehicles. Every month we invite you to discover a model available on the second-hand market. We will give you the advantages of the vehicle, as well as the criteria for which you should be more vigilant.
Of course, you will find all our podcasts on Deezer, Spotify or Google Podcasts.
Happy listening and safe travels!
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Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.