Fiat 124 Spider: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Fiat 124 Spider was produced from 2016 to 2020 as a Roadster in a single generation. Its six listed versions all combine a turbocharged Gasoline engine with RWD, but their outputs, transmissions, acceleration, weight, top speed, and measured fuel consumption differ. For the lowest kerb weight and joint-best measured economy, choose the 140 hp 1.4 MT.
The Fiat 124 Spider was produced from 2016 to 2020 as a Roadster in a single generation. Its six listed versions all combine a turbocharged Gasoline engine with RWD, but their outputs, transmissions, acceleration, weight, top speed, and measured fuel consumption differ. For the lowest kerb weight and joint-best measured economy, choose the 140 hp 1.4 MT. For the quickest listed 0–100 km/h time, choose the 160 hp 1.4 AT. For the highest measured top speed and strongest power-to-weight figure, the 170 hp 1.4 MT is the leading choice.
Fiat 124 Spider generation and version range
The only Fiat 124 Spider generation in the catalogue ran from 2016 to 2020. It used a Roadster body and included six versions: 1.4 MT with 140 hp, 1.4 AT with 140 hp, 1.4 MT with 160 hp, 1.4 AT with 160 hp, 1.4 MT with 170 hp, and 1.4 DSG with 170 hp. Because several versions share the same name, output is essential when distinguishing them.
There is no second generation to compare with the first. The buying decision is therefore about engine output and gearbox rather than a change of generation or body type.
Engine and gearbox specs
Every listed version has a front, longitudinal, turbocharged Gasoline engine with four Inline cylinders, four valves per cylinder, distributed injection (multi-point), and RWD. Every transmission has six gears, although the gearbox type can be Manual, Automatic, or Robotic.
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT (140 hp) | 140 hp / 103 kW at 5000 rpm | 240 Nm at 2250 rpm | 1398 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1.4 AT (140 hp) | 140 hp / 103 kW at 5000 rpm | 240 Nm at 2250 rpm | 1398 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1.4 MT (160 hp) | 160 hp / 119 kW at 5500 rpm | 250 Nm at 2500 rpm | 1398 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1.4 AT (160 hp) | 160 hp / 119 kW at 5500 rpm | 250 Nm at 2500 rpm | 1398 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1.4 MT (170 hp) | 170 hp / 125 kW at 5500 rpm | 250 Nm at 2500 rpm | 1368 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1.4 DSG (170 hp) | 170 hp / 125 kW at 5500 rpm | 250 Nm at 2500 rpm | 1368 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | RWD |
The 140 hp versions produce about 100.1 hp per litre. The 160 hp versions raise that figure to about 114.4 hp per litre, while the 170 hp versions reach about 124.3 hp per litre. Moving from 140 hp to 160 hp adds 20 hp and 10 Nm without changing the listed 1398 cc displacement. Moving from 160 hp to 170 hp adds another 10 hp, retains 250 Nm, and uses the listed 1368 cc displacement.
Performance, fuel economy, and mpg data
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT (140 hp) | 7.5 s | 215 km/h | 8.5 L/100 km | 5.1 L/100 km | 6.4 L/100 km |
| 1.4 AT (140 hp) | 7.6 s | 214 km/h | 9.1 L/100 km | 5.2 L/100 km | 6.6 L/100 km |
| 1.4 MT (160 hp) | 7.0 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.4 AT (160 hp) | 6.6 s | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.4 MT (170 hp) | 6.8 s | 224 km/h | 8.5 L/100 km | 5.1 L/100 km | 6.4 L/100 km |
| 1.4 DSG (170 hp) | 6.9 s | 222 km/h | 9.1 L/100 km | 5.2 L/100 km | 6.6 L/100 km |
The 160 hp 1.4 AT records the quickest acceleration at 6.6 seconds, beating the 160 hp 1.4 MT by 0.4 seconds and the 170 hp 1.4 MT by 0.2 seconds. Its top speed and consumption figures are not measured, so it cannot be declared the fastest overall or compared fairly for economy.
Among versions with measured top speeds, the 170 hp 1.4 MT leads at 224 km/h. It is 2 km/h faster than the 170 hp 1.4 DSG, 9 km/h faster than the 140 hp 1.4 MT, and 10 km/h faster than the 140 hp 1.4 AT.
The two Manual versions with measured consumption—the 140 hp 1.4 MT and 170 hp 1.4 MT—both return 8.5 L/100 km in the city, 5.1 L/100 km on the highway, and 6.4 L/100 km combined. Their corresponding non-Manual alternatives measure 9.1, 5.2, and 6.6 L/100 km. That is an additional 0.6 L/100 km in the city, 0.1 L/100 km on the highway, and 0.2 L/100 km combined.
Dimensions, weight, tank, and wheel sizes
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT (140 hp) | 1050 kg | 1315 kg | 124 mm | 45 L | 195/50 R16; 205/45 R17 |
| 1.4 AT (140 hp) | 1070 kg | 1315 kg | 124 mm | 45 L | 195/50 R16; 205/45 R17 |
| 1.4 MT (160 hp) | 1105 kg | not measured | 124 mm | 45 L | 195/50 R16; 205/45 R17 |
| 1.4 AT (160 hp) | 1123 kg | not measured | 124 mm | 45 L | 195/50 R16; 205/45 R17 |
| 1.4 MT (170 hp) | 1135 kg | not measured | not measured | 45 L | not measured |
| 1.4 DSG (170 hp) | 1155 kg | not measured | not measured | 45 L | not measured |
The 140 hp 1.4 MT is the lightest at 1050 kg. Choosing the 140 hp 1.4 AT adds 20 kg. At 160 hp, the 1.4 AT is 18 kg heavier than the 1.4 MT. At 170 hp, the 1.4 DSG adds 20 kg over the 1.4 MT. All six versions have a 45-litre tank.
Calculated kerb weight per horsepower helps show what each output provides. The 140 hp 1.4 MT carries 7.50 kg per hp, and the 140 hp 1.4 AT carries about 7.64 kg per hp. The 160 hp 1.4 MT reaches about 6.91 kg per hp, while the 160 hp 1.4 AT reaches about 7.02 kg per hp. The 170 hp 1.4 MT has the best result at about 6.68 kg per hp, ahead of the 170 hp 1.4 DSG at about 6.79 kg per hp.
Independent, spring suspension is listed at both ends for every version. All also use ventilated disc front brakes and disc rear brakes.
Reliability and problems
Reliability records and problem data are not measured in the supplied catalogue data. No version can therefore be ranked by failure rate, repair frequency, servicing cost, or long-term durability. A choice between the Manual, Automatic, and Robotic gearboxes should not be presented as a reliability decision from these figures alone.
Which Fiat 124 Spider version should you buy?
Choose the 140 hp 1.4 MT if low kerb weight and measured economy matter most. It weighs 1050 kg, achieves 0–100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, reaches 215 km/h, and records 6.4 L/100 km combined. It is 20 kg lighter, 0.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, and 0.2 L/100 km more economical combined than the 140 hp 1.4 AT.
Choose the 140 hp 1.4 AT if an Automatic gearbox is the priority and 140 hp is sufficient. Its 7.6-second acceleration and 214 km/h top speed are close to the Manual version, but its measured city, highway, and combined consumption figures are all higher.
Choose the 160 hp 1.4 MT for a middle-ground Manual. It adds 20 hp and 10 Nm over the 140 hp 1.4 MT and cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 0.5 seconds. Its top speed and fuel consumption are not measured, preventing a complete performance-and-economy comparison.
Choose the 160 hp 1.4 AT when the quickest measured acceleration is the main requirement. Its 6.6-second time is the best in the range. It is also 0.4 seconds quicker than the 160 hp 1.4 MT, despite carrying 18 kg more kerb weight. Top speed and consumption remain not measured.
Choose the 170 hp 1.4 MT for the strongest overall set of measured performance figures. It combines the highest output, the best calculated weight per horsepower, a 6.8-second 0–100 km/h time, and the highest measured top speed of 224 km/h. Its measured combined consumption of 6.4 L/100 km matches the 140 hp 1.4 MT.
Choose the 170 hp 1.4 DSG if the Robotic gearbox is essential. Compared with the 170 hp 1.4 MT, it has the same 170 hp and 250 Nm but is 20 kg heavier, takes 0.1 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h, has a top speed lower by 2 km/h, and consumes an additional 0.2 L/100 km combined. On the supplied numbers alone, the 170 hp 1.4 MT is the more performance-focused choice, while the 1.4 DSG is selected principally for its different gearbox type.