Name: New Fiat 500 Hybrid models and Specifications
Brand: Fiat

70kw-24kwh-3dr-auto

The more powerful motor of the two is the better all-rounder, with 117bhp and a slightly quicker 0-62mph time of 9.0sec. You’ll mostly notice the difference at higher speeds, where it feels more comfortable than the lower-powered 70kW motor.

87kW

This lower-powered electric motor is best suited to town and city roads. With 94bhp and a 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds, there’s enough pep at low speeds, but it will start to struggle getting up to motorway speed limits.

70kW

The cheapest trim is our pick for the 500 Hybrid and gets 15in alloy wheels, a panoramic roof, cruise control, manual air conditioning and a 7in infotainment touchscreen.

This flagship model comes with the most kit, including wireless phone-charging, a panoramic roof, a front centre armrest, 17in alloy wheels, adaptive cruise control and a six-speaker sound system.

La Prima

This model, in partnership with the (Red) charity, replaces Passion and comes with red painted exterior and interior highlights, including a red driver’s seat. There’s also a 10.25in centre touchscreen display with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, cruise control, 16in alloy wheels and climate control.

Hatchback

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

87kW Red 42kWh 3dr Auto

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70kW Red 24kWh 3dr Auto

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87kW 42kWh 3dr Auto

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70kW 24kWh 3dr Auto

87kW La Prima 42kWh 3dr Auto

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Fiat 500 Hybrid

The 500 Hybrid hatchback’s 185-litre boot is smaller than the Picanto’s and i10’s load bays (at 255 litres and 252 litres respectively). However, because it's relatively deep and wide, we managed to fit&nbsp;three <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-cars-with-the-biggest-boots/n18791">carry-on suitcases</a> under the parcel shelf – the same number of bags we squeezed into its closest rivals.&nbsp;

You can’t have an adjustable boot floor, so with the rear bench folded down, the seats don't sit flush with the floor and instead sit at a slight angle above it. That places a pronounced step in the extended load area.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/convertibles/n17007">cabriolet</a> version's boot is even smaller at just 185 litres. There’s not much load-lugging versatility either, with a narrow opening that will frustrate. You have to crouch down to see into the boot properly, and loading bulky items is awkward.

<h2 dir="ltr">“The boot is small but because of its shape&nbsp;I found it easy enough&nbsp;to slot in three carry-on suitcases.”&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

Visually, the plastics and fabrics used in the 500 Hybrid’s interior suit its retro image. The face of even the cheapest model’s dashboard is finished the same colour as the outside of the car – a feature that really livens things up. The result is an interior that’s a real contrast to the drab dashboards of some <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a>.

You won’t find any soft-touch plastics&nbsp;though, and overall build quality isn’t quite on a par with a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a> but the 500 Hybrid’s interior doesn’t feel at all cheap or shoddily assembled.

<h2>“The 500 doesn't use the plushest materials&nbsp;but I love its colourful dashboard and cute, Sixties-inspired design details, such as the chrome door handles and lozenge-shaped physical buttons.”&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

There’s no height-adjustable driver’s seat in the 500 Hybrid in&nbsp;entry-level Pop trim. Fiat says you do get one with range-topping Top trim, but in reality the lever on the side of your chair merely changes the angle of its base, not how high it sits.

The driving position is further compromised by a steering wheel that adjusts for height but not reach. In fairness, though, the same is true of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>.

Still, at least the 500 Hybrid’s heater controls are easy to use. The gearlever is conveniently high up on the dashboard, where it’s within easy reach.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

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OUR PICK

87kw

The cheapest trim – called 500 – is our favourite because you get all the kit you really need. We’re talking 15in alloy wheels, a panoramic roof, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-cruise-control-and-should-you-have-it-on-your-next-car/n26822">cruise control</a>, manual air-conditioning and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">touchscreen infotainment</a>.

The top trim – appropriately called Top – is worth considering if you want a few more luxuries. It gets 16in alloy wheels, automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, a digital instrument cluster and a chrome exhaust tip.

Of course, whichever trim you settle on, there's also a myriad of personalisation options to make your 500 Hybrid stand out from the crowd, with a huge palette of paint colours and a big selection of alloy wheel designs.

The Fiat 500&nbsp;Hybrid is a bit like an old episode of Doctor Who: while it holds plenty of appeal, we've become used to seeing a newer reincarnation on our roads/screens.

And while there's no missing the family resemblance between the 500 Hybrid&nbsp;and the newer and whizzier&nbsp;all-electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500e</a>, they're very different cars.

This <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild-hybrid</a> version has remained relatively unchanged for a while now, so&nbsp;has it been&nbsp;left behind? And how does it stack up against similar-sized alternatives, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>?

Read on to find out how we rate the Fiat 500 Hybrid – and the 500C <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/convertibles/n17007">cabriolet</a> version – against the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">best small cars</a>...

Although the Fiat 500 Hybrid's&nbsp;front seats are mounted fairly high up, you’re only likely to have issues with head room if you’re very tall. Likewise, the seats slide back far enough to just about accommodate long-legged drivers.

Somewhat less impressive is the cramped pedal area&nbsp;and the lack of a proper footrest –&nbsp;an omission that’s particularly annoying on longer motorway journeys. It's also easy to bash your left knee on the bulbous centre console.

Storage is in rather short supply:&nbsp;the glovebox&nbsp;is very small&nbsp;and the door bins are even smaller. At least there are two good-sized cupholders below the gearlever.

You won’t be surprised to learn that the 500 Hybrid is most at home on crowded urban streets, thanks to its small dimensions and light steering, which can be made even lighter by pressing a City&nbsp;button on the dashboard.

However, when you break away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the model&nbsp;fails to sparkle. The body leans when you go round a corner with any gusto, and the steering doesn’t weight up very much, so you feel somewhat disconnected from what the front wheels are up to.

Compared with, say, a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>, the 500 Hybrid is completely outclassed when it comes to handling – particularly on faster roads.

All 500 Hybrids get a 7.0in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment touchscreen</a> positioned conveniently high up on the dashboard making it easier to use on the move. However, its angle gives it a nasty habit of reflecting sunlight and the screen itself is not exactly high-definition, so it can be tricky to see on bright days.

The icons on the screen are rather small and it doesn’t respond to inputs particularly quickly. However, you do at least get <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> so&nbsp;you can use your phone’s applications instead of the car’s built-in software.

The Fiat 500 Hybrid's name might lead you to think it's a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hybrid-cars/n17013">full hybrid car</a>&nbsp;but that's not the case: it's a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild hybrid</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;can’t travel on electric power alone.

It just has a tiny electric motor and battery to help the petrol engine in certain situations. For example, if you engage the clutch while coasting to a halt, the stop/start function will cut in before you reach a standstill&nbsp;– improving fuel economy in the process.

What it doesn’t do, though, is make the 500 Hybrid's 69bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine any more zippy. Sure, there’s enough thrust to make progress in hectic city traffic, but if you need a meaningful burst of pace, you won't get it – even if you work the standard six-speed <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/which-cars-come-with-a-manual-gearbox/n26678">manual gearbox</a>&nbsp;hard.

This is not a car that sits particularly comfortably in fast-flowing motorway traffic. That said, the same is&nbsp;true for the glacially slow <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/aygo-x/hatchback/review/n24132">Toyota Aygo X</a>. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> gets a peppy turbocharged option (which was available in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>&nbsp;but has been&nbsp;discontinued) and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/dacia/sandero/hatchback/review/n55">Dacia Sandero 1.0 TCe 90</a> is punchier still.

If you want more performance in a 500 Hybrid-like body, take a look at a feisty <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/hot-hatches/n17005">hot-hatch</a>&nbsp;called&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/abarth/595/hatchback/review/n17259">Abarth 595</a>&nbsp;or the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">fully electric&nbsp;Fiat 500</a>.

The 500 Hybrid is strong on image&nbsp;but rivals are more competent and offer better value

Getting into the back isn’t as easy as in many rivals because the 500 Hybrid has only two doors.

As with many <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a>, there are only two seats in the back, but while two adults will fit, there isn’t as much head or leg room as there is in a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>. The rear seats get head restraints as standard.

Again, there's not much storage&nbsp;but all trims have pockets in the front seatbacks.

The 500 Hybrid isn’t too noisy when you're just pottering around town, but if you accelerate hard you’ll soon hear the engine wheezing away like an overly ambitious jogger on their first (and last) run of the year. You'll feel quite a lot of vibration through the pedals&nbsp;too.

Wind and road noise become increasingly noticeable as your speed rises, and, while they never reach irritating levels, the i10 is far more hushed inside.

If you opt for the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/convertibles/n17007">cabriolet</a> version – the 500C Hybrid – be prepared to put up with a substantial amount of wind noise over the fabric roof even when it is closed.

The six-speed manual gearshift is rather notchy, and its vague clutch pedal makes it tricky to drive smoothly in stop-start traffic. The 500 Hybrid is not available with an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">automatic gearbox</a>.

<h2>“This isn’t the best-handling small car but I found its diminutive dimensions and tiny turning circle (just 9.3 metres) made it a breeze to drive around town.”&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

The 500 Hybrid did not do well in our 2023 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey-most-reliable-cars/n26137">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;– it finished&nbsp;in 15th place out of 18 small car models&nbsp;ranked. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/fiat">Fiat</a> as a brand fared a little better, finishing 15th out of 32 manufacturers.

Like all <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/fiat">Fiat car models</a>, the 500 Hybrid comes with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty and a further one-year dealer warranty. Mileage is limited to 60,000 during that three-year period.

If you want a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car</a>&nbsp;with a longer warranty, take a look at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>&nbsp;– its cover lasts for seven years/100,000 miles.

This isn’t the 500 Hybrid's strongest suit. Things are never uncomfortably firm or jarring, but the car never feels particularly settled.

On a typical uneven backstreet you’ll find yourself doing an involuntary impression of a nodding dog. The suspension struggles to cope with potholes and larger intrusions, which occasionally send a shudder through the car's body.

As for the rivals, the Picanto jostles you around a little less on scraggy town roads, but is still rather unsettled on motorways. Really, if you want a city car with a supple ride, you’ll want to take a look at the i10 – it’s easily the most relaxing car in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small car class</a>.

The Fiat 500 Hybrid hatchback isn’t as cheap to buy a lot of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a> – most of which have more doors and more standard equipment.

And if you’re hoping the desirability of the 500’s image will result in it holding on to its value better than other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/small-cars/n16997">small cars</a>, you’ll be slightly disappointed. Over three years, it's predicted to suffer worse from depreciation than an equivalent <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i10/hatchback/review/n49">Hyundai i10</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/picanto/hatchback/review/n58">Kia Picanto</a>.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/convertibles/n17007">cabriolet</a> version – the 500C – is even more expensive but it’s worth noting that it has no direct rivals. The new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/convertible/sports/review/n17156">Mini Convertible</a> has yet to be launched and you can’t get any other small cars with a droptop. It is, in effect, in a class of one.

Fuel economy and CO2 emissions don’t stand out against the 500’s rivals, despite its Hybrid&nbsp;badge. See our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500e review</a>&nbsp;to read about the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> version.

The 500 Hybrid is let down massively by its lack of safety systems, with no sign of automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>) – even on the options list.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a>&nbsp;gave the model three stars out of five for overall safety, and that was in 2017, when standards were far less stringent than they are today (the rating has now expired).

<h2 dir="ltr">“If you’re going to get a 500 Hybrid I think it makes sense to&nbsp;keep the price down by opting for the surprisingly well-equipped entry-level model.”&nbsp;– <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a></h2>

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All 500 Hybrids benefit from a practical 50/50 split-folding seatback. It’s easy to use:&nbsp;simply push a button on the top of the backrest, push the seatback forwards and down it folds.

That’s your lot though. The rear seats don’t do anything else clever and there's no option of a height-adjustable front passenger seat on any model.

la-prima

The Fiat 500 Hybrid certainly has style and image on its side, but plenty of rivals are better to drive and more practical – and cost less to buy as well. That said, the 500C Hybrid does have a certain appeal as it currently stands proud as the only small petrol convertible car on sale.

The 500 Hybrid hatchback is relatively easy to see out of in all directions. Its front screen pillars are relatively slim and because the car is so compact it's easy to judge its extremities when parking.&nbsp;

The view out of the back of the cabriolet version (the 500C Hybrid) is more restrictive because the rear window – which is made of glass and heated – is narrow,&nbsp;so there’s a big blind-spot to the rear three quarters.

If you’re buying the entry-level model, we’d recommend selecting the optional rear parking sensors (Top trim gets them as standard).

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

Small

What we're looking for:<ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so a roof that opens (and closes) quickly is every bit as important as good top-down cruising refinement.

There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top versions of existing models. But there are still some fantastic options out there.

Convertible

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Low running costs compared with solely petrol or diesel equivalents</li> <li>Very low official CO2 emissions to benefit company car drivers</li> <li>The same usability as a regular car</li> <li>Smooth transition between electric and engine power</li> <li>Small practicality compromise over conventional models</li></ul>

Not so long ago, hybrids were the preserve of Hollywood stars, environmentally conscious 'early adopters' and the odd&nbsp;minicab driver looking to save a bit of money on fuel.

Since the collapse in demand for diesel, however, they have become&nbsp;much more popular, and it's easy to see why, with&nbsp;low tax bills and&nbsp;impressive MPG figures&nbsp;just a couple of the perks they offer.

There are two types of hybrid: 'self-charging'&nbsp;models, which mix petrol&nbsp;and electric power in an effort to maximise&nbsp;efficiency, and&nbsp;plug-in hybrids that can travel many miles purely on electricity before their engines need to cut in. This category is for the former type of cars.

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