Makes›Fiat›500

Fiat 500

12 model years from 2012 to 2023, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.

Fiat 500
Pictured: Fiat 500e SDQ 03 2020 2797. Photo: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2012–2023
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Minicompact Cars
Latest engines
1.3L 4-cyl turbo
Best MPG
26–34 combined, by year
Latest rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns, all years
Most complaints
2012 (335)
Fewest problems
2023
Interest
10,810 Wikipedia views / 30 days

The 2023 500 in brief

The 2023 Fiat 500 is a small SUV offered with a 1.3L 4-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (24 city / 30 highway), 4% better than the 2023 small SUV average of 25 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

The Fiat 500 has 12 model years in our data, from 2012 to 2023, classed as Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Minicompact Cars.

Its most efficient year was 2017 at 34 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 26 to 34 MPG.

Owners most often report problems with the power train (354), electrical system (105), engine (92).

Buying used? 2023 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2015 is the year to avoid.

2016 has the most recalls (3); all years together count 6 campaigns and 717 owner complaints.

How the 2012 500 compares

The 2012 Fiat 500 is a minicompact car offered with 2 engines (1.4L 4-cyl and 1.4L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 140 inches long and 64 inches wide on a 91-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,355 lb (2 Dr Hatchback Pop/Sport/Lounge).

About the Fiat 500

The Fiat 500 is an A-segment city car manufactured and marketed by the Italian car maker Fiat, a subdivision of Stellantis, since 2007. It is available in hatchback coupé and fixed-profile convertible body styles, over a single generation, with an intermediate facelift in Europe in the 2016 model year. Developed during FIAT's tenure as a subdivision of FCA, the 500 was internally designated as the Type 312.

From the Wikipedia article "Fiat 500 (2007)", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

2023 500 pros & cons

Full 2023 details →

What's good

  • Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 75 for similar models.
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Best and worst years to buy used

NHTSA recalls and complaints for 9 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →

500 changes by model year

  1. 2021
    • Engine dropped: 1.4L 4-cyl turbo
  2. 2020
    • Best combined MPG down from 30 to 26
  3. 2019
    • Engine added: 1.3L 4-cyl turbo
    • All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
  4. 2018
    • Engine dropped: 1.4L 4-cyl
    • Best combined MPG down from 34 to 30
  5. 2013
    • Best combined MPG up from 32 to 34

Years without a measurable change are left out.

Show all 12 model years side by side
YearLatest enginesBest MPG / rangeLengthWeightOverallRecallsComplaints
20231.3L 4-cyl turbo26 MPG––Not rated00
20221.3L 4-cyl turbo26 MPG––Not rated00
20211.3L 4-cyl turbo26 MPG––Not rated00
20201.3L 4-cyl turbo, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo26 MPG––Not rated00
20191.4L 4-cyl turbo, 1.3L 4-cyl turbo30 MPG139.8 in2,355 lbNot rated10
20181.4L 4-cyl turbo30 MPG139.8 in2,355 lbNot rated15
20171.4L 4-cyl, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo34 MPG139.8 in2,355 lbNot rated114
20161.4L 4-cyl, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo34 MPG139.8 in2,355 lbNot rated314
20151.4L 4-cyl, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo34 MPG139.8 in2,355 lbNot rated392
20141.4L 4-cyl, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo33 MPG139.8 in2,355 lbNot rated3107
20131.4L 4-cyl, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo34 MPG139.8 in2,355 lbNot rated3150
20121.4L 4-cyl, 1.4L 4-cyl turbo32 MPG139.8 in2,355 lbNot rated3335
Best combined MPG by model year — Fiat 500
2012: 32 MPG2013: 34 MPG2014: 33 MPG2015: 34 MPG2016: 34 MPG2017: 34 MPG2018: 30 MPG2019: 30 MPG2020: 26 MPG2021: 26 MPG2022: 26 MPG2023: 26 MPG201220142016201820202022max 34 MPG

Alternatives to the 2023 500

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2023 Toyota RAV440 MPG★★★★★3
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime38 MPG★★★★★2
2023 Honda CR-V40 MPG★★★★★8
2023 Ford Bronco20 MPGNot rated18
2023 Hyundai Tucson38 MPG★★★★★2
2023 Subaru Forester29 MPG★★★★★1

Most common owner-reported problems

Power Train354
Electrical System105
Engine92
Unknown Or Other86
Air Bags42
Fuel/Propulsion System33
Steering26
Suspension18
Owner complaints by model year — Fiat 500
2012: 3352013: 1502014: 1072015: 922016: 142017: 142018: 52019: 02020: 02021: 02022: 02023: 0201220142016201820202022max 335
Check your VIN for open recalls ↗

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Fiat. How we calculate this →