If you are looking for a sporty and fun car with limited interior space, the 2013 Fiat 500 is worth taking a look at. This model provides three different engines in the 1.4-liter, four-cylinder category. The upper trim levels particularly have quite a bit to offer. The inside of the 500 features decent interior materials and a design that matches the unique exterior body style. This model is available in either convertible style or hatchback. However, it’s important not to expect too much in the way of interior room. Taller drivers and passengers are likely to be more comfortable in a larger vehicle, and the rear seat is seriously lacking in both head and legroom. The dash is well designed and pretty easy to operate. Fuel economy for this car is reasonable, though there are more efficient vehicles available. While the competition in this class is fierce, the new offering from Fiat is sure to appeal to those looking for something a little different in their compact car choice. Overall, it has appeal in terms of unique body design and available features.
New For 2013
For the 2013 model year, there are several things to look for in the Fiat 500. The company decided to offer the following upgrades in this all-new vehicle:
- Premium leather in the Sport and Turbo trim levels.
- A 368-watt Beats by Dr. Dre audio system.
- Two new exterior paint color choices.
- New gear ratios on the manual transmission models to increase acceleration and offset fuel economy.
Exterior
The Fiat 500 is an all-new model for the 2013 model year. This small hatchback is an addition to the popular Arbarth model, but the 500’s small body style is distinctive all on its own and anyone who sees this car is unlikely to ever forget it. Its front-end and grille are uniquely designed with a slim, narrow grille. The headlights are round and large, considering the small front-end. While the body design is somewhat reminiscent of the VW Beetle, the 500 doesn’t have the rounded body style associated with that model. It is aerodynamically designed and has obvious styling sculpting details on the sides and doors.
Interior & Cargo
The inside of the 2013 Fiat 500 is designed to seat four people. It must be noted that the head and leg space is rather limited in this model. Seating in the rear seat is likely to be a challenge for taller passengers. The overall cabin design matches the exterior well, and the dash matches the exterior body color. Drivers will find a round pod housing an array of instruments and gauges. Fiat is offering a long list of available colors for the cabin, and buyers can choose from tons of available options to customize their new car. The 500 comes standard with cloth upholstery, but leather is an option. Cruise control, air-conditioning, and even automatic air-conditioning are available as well. Depending on the body style, the 500 offers 5.4 cubic feet of cargo space in the convertible design and 9.5 cubic feet with the hatchback body style if the rear seats are in place. Folding the seats down increases the available amount to 26.8 cubic feet.
Safety
For such a small car, the 2013 Fiat 500 is loaded with lots of standard safety features. For example, the 500 boasts a total of seven airbags including the side curtain airbags and front seat side-impact airbags. This model also comes equipped with anti-lock brakes and an electronic stability system. Active front head restraints are standard as well. In terms of optional safety features, the Fiat 500 is available with rear parking sensors.
Driving Experience
This little dynamo is equipped with a 1.4-liter, four-cylinder engine and standard five-speed, manual transmission. Fiat also offers the six-speed manual transmission as an option. This powertrain is capable of 101 horsepower (hp) and 98 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded 500 Turbo provides 135 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque. Both the 500 Sport and 500 Turbo models have sport tuned suspension and steering. Fuel economy on the base models comes in at 31/40 mpg city/highway. Opt for the six-speed transmission, and it changes to 27/34 mpg city/highway. For more power in the turbocharged version, the fuel economy drops to 28/34 mpg city/highway.
In all honesty, one would expect the 2013 Fiat 500 to be faster than it is. That issue aside, the 500 does provide decent power distribution and smooth transmission function. The upper trim levels have plenty to offer demanding drivers with the obvious increase of power. The Abarth, in particular, is fun to drive with quick acceleration and dependable handling.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Fiat 500
- Chevrolet Spark
- Ford Fiesta
- Mini Cooper
- Scion iQ