The 2012 Fiat 500 is a successful evolution of the 1950’s Cinquecento made for cheap mass travel. Now, the little Fiat is a swaggering little rebel hoping to win customers over with its high style and playful spirit. The 500 is available in three (soon to be four with addition of the Abarth high-performance model) trim levels as a convertible or hardtop.
The base Pop model comes well equipped with air conditioning, electronic stability control, speed control, power locks and windows, active head restraints, and even heated mirrors. The Sport model gets a new bumper fascia, flared wheel arches, sport suspension, lowered ride height, and larger wheels with red brake calipers.
The Lounge model incorporates luxury and crams it into the Fiat in the same way you might fit ten people into a five person elevator- very creatively. Dual zone climate controls replace normal temperature control knobs while the steering wheel becomes a circle of technology- Blue&Me, Bluetooth, Text Readout, Cruise Control, and sound controls.
The Fiat 500 is a 2012 IIHS Top Safety Pick, and was named the safest car in its class. With a total of 7 airbags, this car puffs up into a cushion of air in a collision. In terms of performance, the diminutive Fiat is on top of the mini-car pile. Its 101 horsepower, 98 lb-ft of torque MultiAir Inline 4 sounds good and offers some nice thrust as felt by us passengers. Loaded up, the transmission feels jerky and throws you around a bit, and the ride can be a bit stiff.
The door lockers and a nice place to put your left arm are hard to find on the passenger’s side. Gas mileage doesn’t impress for a car this size, and the back seat space is scant.
Trunk space is adequate for a car this size, but far from cavernous, yet the lid opens with ease. Overall, the Fiat 500 is an undeniably adorable and heart-melting econobox rebel with quality, style, performance, and personality.
About the Author: Colin Chambers, age 13, has been writing car reviews since a very young age. He has been invited to many different car crash test facilities and has a strong passion for cars, sparked by his mom and dad.
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