Fiat 500

Which Fiat 500 Version Should You Buy?

The Fiat 500 version to choose depends on whether you prioritize performance, fuel economy, transmission type, or electric power. Among the listed cars, the quickest is the restyled second-generation 1.4 MT (190 hp), reaching 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and 230 km/h. The lowest measured combined fuel consumption belongs to the restyled 1.3 MT (95 hp) diesel at 3.4 l/100 km.

The Fiat 500 version to choose depends on whether you prioritize performance, fuel economy, transmission type, or electric power. Among the listed cars, the quickest is the restyled second-generation 1.4 MT (190 hp), reaching 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and 230 km/h. The lowest measured combined fuel consumption belongs to the restyled 1.3 MT (95 hp) diesel at 3.4 l/100 km. For electric buyers, the third-generation Cabrio offers 23.8 kWh (95 hp) and 42 kWh (118 hp) versions; both produce 220 Nm, while the fastest listed 118 hp car reaches 100 km/h in 9 seconds. Buyers seeking the original configuration instead get a first-generation Mini 3-doors with rear-wheel drive, a four-speed manual gearbox, and a naturally aspirated two-cylinder Gasoline engine.

Fiat 500 generations and the changes that matter

The first generation ran from 1957 to 1975 as a Mini 3-doors and contained 7 versions. Its naturally aspirated two-cylinder Gasoline engines displaced 479, 499, or 594 cc and produced 13–22 hp. Every listed version combined a four-speed Manual gearbox with RWD, independent leaf-spring front suspension, and Drum front brakes. Measured top speeds are 85 km/h for the 0.5 MT (13 hp) and 0.6 MT (13 hp), and 105 km/h for the 0.5 MT (22 hp); the remaining top-speed figures are not measured.

The second generation ran from 2007 to 2016 as a Mini 3-doors and included 41 versions. The supplied selection contains turbo Gasoline engines, turbo Diesel engines, an Electro version, Manual and Robotic gearboxes, and exclusively FWD. Engine outputs extend from 75 hp in the 1.3 MT (75 hp) and 1.3 DSG (75 hp) to 180 hp in the 1.4 MT (180 hp). Ground clearance varies substantially: the listed range runs from 104 mm in several performance-focused 1.4 versions to 150 mm in the 1.3 MT (75 hp).

The second-generation restyling ran from 2015 to 2021, still as a Mini 3-doors, with 29 versions in the full range. The supplied versions span Gasoline, Diesel, LPG, and Electro power. Compared with the earlier second-generation selection, the strongest 1.4 MT rises from 180 to 190 hp, gains 20 Nm, and cuts the measured 0–100 km/h time from 6.5 to 5.9 seconds. The listed fuel tank changes from 70 litres in the earlier generation to 35 litres in the restyled cars. Ground clearance is 114 mm wherever it is measured.

The third generation has been offered since 2020 as a Cabrio and contains 5 versions, all Electro, FWD, Automatic, and single-speed. Buyers choose between 23.8 kWh (95 hp) and 42 kWh (118 hp). Both are rated at 220 Nm, but the 118 hp version adds 23 hp. Measured top speed rises from 135 to 150 km/h, a difference of 15 km/h.

Fiat 500 engine specs compared

Repeated database names are distinguished by output or, where needed, the generation. Displacement is shown as “not measured” for electric versions because the supplied data does not provide it.

Power per litre helps separate engines sharing the same nominal size. The restyled 1.4 MT (190 hp) produces approximately 138.9 hp per litre, compared with approximately 131.6 hp per litre for the earlier 1.4 MT (180 hp). The restyled 0.9 MT (105 hp) produces 120 hp per litre, while each 85 hp 875 cc version produces approximately 97.1 hp per litre. The naturally aspirated restyled 1.2 MT (69 hp, Gasoline) produces approximately 55.6 hp per litre.

Fiat 500 performance and fuel economy

The 190 hp restyled car is 0.6 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the earlier 180 hp car, but its measured combined consumption is 0.8 l/100 km higher. Within the restyled 0.9 range, choosing 105 rather than 85 hp cuts the acceleration time by 1 second and raises top speed by 15 km/h, while combined consumption increases by 0.4 l/100 km. Choosing the 95 hp restyled diesel instead of the earlier 95 hp manual diesel leaves acceleration and top speed unchanged but lowers measured combined consumption by 0.3 l/100 km.

Fiat 500 dimensions, weight, clearance, tank and wheels

The first-generation kerb and gross weights are not measured. Ground clearance is 162 mm for the 0.5 MT (15 hp), 0.5 MT (18 hp), and 0.6 MT (18 hp); it is not measured for the other first-generation versions. Tank capacity and wheel sizes are not measured throughout that generation.

In the earlier second-generation selection, measured kerb weight ranges from 980 kg for the 1.3 MT (75 hp) to 1085 kg for the 1.4 DSG (140 hp) and 1.4 DSG (160 hp). Gross weight ranges from 1300 to 1425 kg. Every listed car has a 70-litre tank. Ground clearance spans 104–150 mm. The 1.4 MT (135 hp) lists 195/45 R16 and 205/40 R17 wheels; wheel sizes for the other supplied versions are not measured.

The restyled selection weighs from 865 kg for both 1.2 MT (69 hp) versions to 1045 kg for the 1.4 MT (180 hp). Measured gross weight ranges from 1300 kg for the AT (111 hp) to 1450 kg for the 1.4 DSG (100 hp); gross weight is not measured for the other restyled versions. All combustion versions list a 35-litre tank, while the electric car’s tank capacity is not measured. Ground clearance is 114 mm where measured. Listed wheel choices include 175/65 R14 with 185/55 R15, while the 1.4 DSG (100 hp) offers 185/55 R15 with 195/45 R16.

Third-generation measured kerb weights are 1255, 1365, or 1405 kg, while one 23.8 kWh (95 hp) entry is not measured. Measured gross weights are 1655, 1765, or 1805 kg. Ground clearance, tank capacity, and wheel sizes are not measured for every third-generation version.

Weight per horsepower further clarifies the performance choices. The restyled 1.4 MT (190 hp) carries approximately 5.1 kg per hp, compared with 5.8 kg per hp for the restyled 1.4 MT (180 hp) and 6.3 kg per hp for the restyled 1.4 MT (165 hp). The 1405 kg third-generation 42 kWh (118 hp) carries approximately 11.9 kg per hp; the 1255 kg 23.8 kWh (95 hp) carries approximately 13.2 kg per hp.

Which Fiat 500 version should you choose?

Choose the restyled 1.4 MT (190 hp) when maximum measured performance is the priority. It has the best power-to-weight figure among versions with measured kerb weight, the quickest acceleration, and the highest top speed. Against the restyled 1.4 MT (180 hp), it adds 10 hp without adding torque, removes 0.8 seconds from the 0–100 km/h time, and adds 5 km/h to top speed, although combined consumption rises by 0.2 l/100 km.

Choose the restyled 1.3 MT (95 hp) for the lowest measured combined consumption. Its 3.4 l/100 km result is 0.4 l/100 km below either restyled 85 hp 0.9 MT or 0.9 DSG. It also supplies 55 Nm more torque and reaches 100 km/h 0.3 seconds sooner than those 85 hp cars.

Choose the restyled 0.9 MT (85 hp) or 0.9 DSG (85 hp) if identical headline performance with a transmission choice matters. Both produce 85 hp and 145 Nm, reach 100 km/h in 11 seconds, attain 173 km/h, and consume a measured 3.8 l/100 km combined. The Manual uses 0.1 l/100 km less on the highway; the Robotic uses 0.3 l/100 km less in the city.

Choose the third-generation 42 kWh (118 hp) over the 23.8 kWh (95 hp) when the additional 23 hp and 15 km/h of measured top speed matter. Both produce 220 Nm and use a single-speed Automatic transmission with FWD. The supplied data contains multiple entries with different acceleration and weight figures, so the exact entry must be checked: the 118 hp versions record 9 or 9.9 seconds to 100 km/h, while the measured 95 hp version records 9.5 seconds.

Choose a first-generation 0.5 MT or 0.6 MT only when its mechanical configuration is specifically desired: naturally aspirated Gasoline power, two Inline cylinders, a four-speed Manual gearbox, and RWD. On the available figures, the 0.5 MT (22 hp) offers the highest output and fastest measured top speed of that generation. Reliability, problems, prices, sale listings, and replacement costs are not measured in the supplied data, so they cannot support a version recommendation here.