The Fiat 500, now there’s a nippy car I’d like to have in the garage. It’s small but big and this one has camouflage paint on the outside. I’m convinced the camouflage is because if you can’t beat them, then you may need to hide. The reason for being unable to beat them is because the 1.3 MJ diesel engine is a big heavy lump from which I could squeeze no joy. Not even the thoughts of saving many €€€ could that diesel make me happy. If you’re a seasoned diesel driver then this won’t bother you one iota. But I still don’t get how ‘city’ and ‘diesel’ fit together.
There’s a lot to love about the sport, its compactness in size and it’s funky looks inside and out. The ease with which you can set everything up ‘just right’ (no telescopic steering reach though). I love the sport seats with 500s logo, comfy for small or long haul. And the dash is well laid out, the 7” TFT instrument cluster is easy to read and use. The Fiat Uconnect system pairs your mobile quickly and music streams confidently. Even if you do have to select ‘source’ each time you start the car, as it doesn’t automatically pick up where you left off. This particular spec clocks in at €19,375 of funky.
The Fiat 500 Sport includes upgraded front and rear bumpers and side skirts, a roof-mounted rear spoiler, a chrome exhaust, tinted windows and 15-inch alloy wheels. All of which make you turn around one last time after you’ve locked it. It’s one of those cars that’s interesting to look at. I’d go so far as to say that if I had my garage in my living room (the dream), I would definitely be happy to park the 500s there to look at, the same way some would hang a painting and enjoy it for it’s art.
It’s certainly the king of parking, where the sport button should be, there’s a nifty ‘city’ setting which lightens the steering to aid nippy parking maneuvers. I used it more than it was meant for, basically compensating for that heavy diesel. I also held the gears a bit longer than I should, due to the cavernous drop between gears. Only in fourth and fifth gears did the engine settle down.
On motorway trips, you never feel like you’re driving a small city car. Usually overwhelmed by trucks passing them at cruising speed, city cars scuttle and shake their way back to Metropolis. Not this Fiat. No sir. It easily holds it’s own on the motorway, steadily getting on with and minding it’s own business. Despite my unforgiving diesel rant during each journey, as is the way with all Italians, I loved it still.
Special mention : That interior design and the stereo
Needs work : Diesel buyer, how could you?
Specs:
| Max Power 95hp | Diesel / Manual |
| 0-100 kph in 10.7s | Road Tax € 180.00 |
| Price €19,375 | Claimed economy 83.1 mpg |