Tiny Fiat 500 earns an unimpressive 30/38 MPG & 27/34 with automatic

[Kal-El]

Very disappointing but I have to say not surprising. We have much larger, more powerful cars like the Elantra, Cruze, & '12 Focus achieving 40 MPG. That makes this Fiat toy unacceptable IMO. Never mind that it starts at $16K. Fail.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/01-2012-fiat-500630opt.jpg


2011 marks the official return of Fiat here in the United States, with the adorable little 500 hitting dealerships in the coming weeks. With Fiat's MultiAir 1.4-liter engine under the hood, you'd be right to expect top-notch fuel economy numbers. And while the 500's EPA ratings of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway aren't bad, it's not exactly what we were hoping for. For comparison, consider the fact that much larger C-segment entries like the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze are all capable of achieving 40 mpg or higher (granted, you have to spec certain transmissions and option packages on the latter two in order to achieve it). What's more, the 30/38 mpg rating on the Fiat 500 is only with the five-speed manual transmission. Cars equipped with the six-speed self-shifter will only achieve 27/34 mpg. Ouch. Still, with prices starting at $15,995 for the entry-level Pop model, we don't think Fiat will have too much trouble moving 500s out of showrooms. Besides, the majority of people purchasing the Fiat 500 will be doing sobecause of its style rather than its frugality.

[matthewai]

kinda looks like a mini
that new 4 door mini looks pretty freakin cool i havent looked up its specs or anything

[frownonfun]

Very disappointing but I have to say not surprising. We have much larger, more powerful cars like the Elantra, Cruze, & '12 Focus achieving 40 MPG. That makes this Fiat toy unacceptable IMO. Never mind that it starts at $16K. Fail.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/01-2012-fiat-500630opt.jpg

Are those other cars rated at 40mpg or is this figure just achievable? Cause there's kind of a difference. The Yaris is rated around what this Fiat is but we know it can do much better. Most likely the Fiat will too. Plus I agree it looks a little like a Mini. Which is a good thing imo.

[Kal-El]

Are those other cars rated at 40mpg or is this figure just achievable? Cause there's kind of a difference. The Yaris is rated around what this Fiat is but we know it can do much better. Most likely the Fiat will too. Plus I agree it looks a little like a Mini. Which is a good thing imo.

All of these numbers are official EPA ratings. The EPA tests every car the same way with their new "real world" testing procedures.

The 3 cars mentioned that get 40 mpg highway legitimately achieved that in the same testing that gave the Yaris a 35/36 highway rating. Most of us see more than 36 on the highway and it's safe to assume that most will also see more than 40 in the 3 cars rated at 40 (if driven at reasonable speeds).

In the case of the Cruze and '12 Focus, special ECO models only achieve the magical 40. All other models get around 38. All Elantra's get 40 though.

[frownonfun]

so the non eco-model Cruze is estimated at 26/36 mpg
the non eco-model Focus is estimated at 28/38 mpg
and the Elantra is 29/40 mpg

I was just saying those numbers aren't THAT much better. In fact the city estimates for the FIAT are actually higher.

Don't get me wrong I'd probably still buy any one of those other models before a FIAT but still, I don't think you can bash them on mpgs alone... personally I think every manufacturer is dropping the ball in that area.

[Kal-El]

so the non eco-model Cruze is estimated at 26/36 mpg
the non eco-model Focus is estimated at 28/38 mpg
and the Elantra is 29/40 mpg

I was just saying those numbers aren't THAT much better. In fact the city estimates for the FIAT are actually higher.

Don't get me wrong I'd probably still buy any one of those other models before a FIAT but still, I don't think you can bash them on mpgs alone... personally I think every manufacturer is dropping the ball in that area.

No hate intended. It's just that those cars are considerably larger. I see no other reason to get a micro-car if not for much better gas mileage. I say the same about the Smart. It's a motorcycle with doors yet only gets around 40 as well. What's the point? Cars this size should be pushing 50 MPG.

I Just can't see the Fiat succeeding unless a lot of people want an odd looking fashion statement.

[Yaristeve]

It's surprising to me that the auto trans has such a high mileage penalty. Trend lately is auto mileage is equal or greater than manual trans mileage.

[SailDesign]

It's surprising to me that the auto trans has such a high mileage penalty. Trend lately is auto mileage is equal or greater than manual trans mileage.

I thought about that, and in a lower powered car (like the 500) the torque converter will eat a higher percentage of power, plus as a six-speed auto, it will shift more often, doubling the problem.
That's my take - happy to be told I'm wrong. :smile:

[frownonfun]

No hate intended. It's just that those cars are considerably larger. I see no other reason to get a micro-car if not for much better gas mileage. I say the same about the Smart. It's a motorcycle with doors yet only gets around 40 as well. What's the point? Cars this size should be pushing 50 MPG.

I Just can't see the Fiat succeeding unless a lot of people want an odd looking fashion statement.

yeah i wasn't really considering weight. i couldn't find a weight on the fiat. although i didn't look all that hard. wonder how much less it is than those others.

[Mouse]

Plus NO HAGGLING on the price when it comes state-side. Which sucks cause there was a time 3 years a go when I was looking at the Saturn Sky. The dealer had it marked up to 28k(the car was a base model) and they didn't allow for any dealing on the price.

[SailDesign]

The ten most economical cars in the UK, and all except the hybrid are - wait for it - diesel powered.
And yet they STILL refuse to sell small diesels in the US. <sigh>

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/picturegalleries/8298652/The-most-economical-cars-on-sale.html?image=9

[Kal-El]

Some interior pics in case some haven't seen them... :smile:


http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/20-2012-fiat-500-fd.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/23-2012-fiat-500-fd.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/27-2012-fiat-500-fd.jpg

[Yaristeve]

I thought about that, and in a lower powered car (like the 500) the torque converter will eat a higher percentage of power, plus as a six-speed auto, it will shift more often, doubling the problem.
That's my take - happy to be told I'm wrong. :smile:

I can't/won't tell you you're wrong for sure but I thought most (all?) new autos have lock-up torque converters so highway mileage should be closer like in the Yaris (36/35; manual/auto).

[cali yaris]

And yet they STILL refuse to sell small diesels in the US. <sigh>

Because we don't want them. That includes me.

[SailDesign]

Because we don't want them. That includes me.

We hired a Renault Megane last time we went over there. Diesel, ugly as sin, but a real blast to drive. You really didn't notice it was a diesel. Forget the ones that sound like Harleys on crack, this thing was smooth as silk, and was giving 50 miles to the gallon happily, while taking out BMW 3-series on the twisty stuff. Fun!

[MadMax]

Regardless of what we think, these things are selling like hotcakes in Europe...

I'll stick with my Yaris!

Cheers! M2

[TLyttle]

And they will sell like hotcakes here, too; what a boost for Chrysler! My faith in Chrysler makes me think that they will bomb it somehow...

My buddy (long-time Fiat owner) is lusting after the 500, but I think he will be disappointed (as will I) at the sheer size and bulk of it. I remember the original 500 (and the topolino, the 850, the ll00 sports etc), and it was SMALL, even compared to a mini (the original). But, one has to have room for all the crap the US Government insists on, plus all the extras (7 air bags??).

Ah, well, it may be interesting to see what it does in "Competition" trim...

[frownonfun]

wow that interior is hideous. what's going on with the heat and A/C controls? and are those giant power window buttons right next to the shifter? and keith urban?

[SailDesign]

wow that interior is hideous. what's going on with the heat and A/C controls? and are those giant power window buttons right next to the shifter? and keith urban?

I quite like the interior.

But, Yeah, Keith Urban? :biggrin:

[Thirty-Nine]

I quite like the interior.

But, Yeah, Keith Urban? :biggrin:

I sat in the 500 at the Portland International Auto Show. I quite liked it.

[Cosmonaut]

For some reason i like the concentric speedo/tach.

[andruboz]

There could be a bit of similarity between Italian cars and Italian bikes. When comparing Italian motorcycles to Japanese motorcycles- the Japanese ones can be lighter faster, more reliable, win more races and cost less. But Italian bikes stir the soul. The welds look pretty, the bolted on pieces look like quality craftsmanship, the exhaust note has cool sound even before you put the fancy carbon fiber pipe on it.

I can't poo-poo the little Italian car until i sit in one and see if it has the magical soul stirrer in it. I'll bet the Abarth version's got one.

[SAV912]

This is my next car. Bar wrecking my Yaris, I will keep it until the 500 Abarth EsseEsse comes out and then my Yaris is going straight to the dealer to trade up. Don't give two fucks about the mileage penalty or what the EPA says it'll do, the power will be nice, the style is unquestionably awesome, and I will own an Italian car before I die.

BTW, check the real world ratings on those bigger cars. Owners are having to try a lot harder to hit that 40 MPG with the Elantra. Note the larger disparity between city and highway MPG on the EPA scale and how that gap is narrower with smaller cars like the 500 and Yaris. There's a reason for it. You can gear anything down and hit better numbers on the interstate which is exactly what automakers are doing. However, most users are gonna hit closer to that city rating than the highway one.

-C

[Midnight Drifter]

When's the turbodiesel version coming?

[ANGIEJB]

I've been waiting for this to come to the US..:drool: every since I saw it on TopGear a couple years ago

I thought I'd have to go overseas to get the Abarth, I'm glad I don't have to..

I'll be selling my Yaris to get the Fiat 500 :)

[DevilGirl]

The ten most economical cars in the UK, and all except the hybrid are - wait for it - diesel powered.
And yet they STILL refuse to sell small diesels in the US. <sigh>

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/picturegalleries/8298652/The-most-economical-cars-on-sale.html?image=9

I agree with you. Would be nice if they did sell some smaller diesel vehicles here. Sure diesel is higher per gallon, but I've seen what it can do and it definitely has great potential.

Because we don't want them. That includes me.

I want one. And I know a lot of other people that would too.


When's the turbodiesel version coming?

Probably never if the US govt has anything to say about it...


As for the Sport 500, I test drove one on Saturday. It had less get up and go compared to my Yarii. I was slightly impressed with the interior styling, but it lacked the cargo area the Yarii has.
When the turbo Arbath version becomes available here, I'll take that for a test drive as well and see if it really is any better...

The only advantages I saw over the Yarii is that it is similar to the Mini, but with a lot less of a price tag, can come in AWD, stock options like bluetooth and sat radio included in base price, and the possibility of a turbo.


Otherwise, I'd stick with my Yarii.