Fiat 500 Pop 2013 Review

Price Guide: $14,000 (drive-away)
Options fitted to test car (not included in above price): N/A
Crash rating: Five-star ANCAP
Fuel: 95 RON PULP
Claimed fuel economy (L/100km): 5.1
CO2 emissions (g/km): 119
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I’m having a Ferris Bueller moment, smiling like a student skiving a day off school, thanks to the Fiat 500 Pop. Its playful personality is infectious.

The Fiat 500 Pop brings a contagious energy to the fore with its pint-sized proportions and Italian charm. What’s not to love?

The 500 range offers eight variants across three specification levels -- Pop, Sport and Lounge -- in both hatch and cabrio form. The hatchback models feature a 1.2-litre Pop or 1.4-litre Sport, both offered with manual or Dualogic robotised transmissions. The Lounge is powered by a 0.9-litre Twin Air with the Dualogic transmission as standard. The cabrio models offer the choice of all three engines, fitted with the Dualogic transmission.

Our test car -- the Fiat 500 Pop -- weighs in at just 885kg and is powered by a 1.2-litre, eight valve engine that produces 51kW of power and peak torque of 102Nm. Matched to a five-speed manual transmission, the Fiat 500 delivers a surprisingly useful dose of power.

On the road, the Fiat 500 exceeded my expectations, in most areas. Ride, handling and overall dynamics were of a good standard.

As you may expect, it’s very much point and go style driving. Power delivery and handling is perfect for inner-city driving. Its handling is effortless -- but not vague -- and it is ridiculously easy to manoeuvre. Not to mention ease of parking.

A nice spread of ratios across the gears meant the Fiat was rarely left in limbo -- it was easy to maintain a nice level of revs, resulting in an engaging and responsive drive. Brakes were good, too.

On the freeway it was a little less perfect, as you’re left wanting for a little more weight to the steering -- while more responsive acceleration would make passing a less treacherous task too. While fairly composed on the freeway, at higher speeds it somewhat surrenders that connection felt at lower speed city driving.

The Fiat was quite the crowd pleaser during its week in my life. Full-grown men, teenage girls and toddlers were drawn in by its retro charm and ease of use.

The vibe inside the Fiat is playful meets practical. A well-executed design blends high gloss finishes, a colour matched dash, oversized dials and chrome highlights for a modern and fresh interior.

The diminished proportions of the Fiat 500 do create some compromises when it comes to passenger comfort. Ergonomic highs and lows became obvious after some time behind the wheel. The driver’s seat is comfortable and offers three-way manual adjust, but the lack of reach adjust on the steering wheel is an ergonomic fail. The large doors open wide to give good access to the second row, but once you’re in there, it’s a seriously snug fit.

It would be fair to assume the Fiat 500 may fall short on modern technology -- it is a cheap car, after all. Well, you’d be wrong. Despite living in the budget end of the automotive world, the Fiat 500 punches well above its weight when it comes to technology. It features most of the essentials -- electric windows and mirrors, Dualdrive electric power steering, Radio/CD/MP3, six speakers, USB and AUX connectivity, Bluetooth telephony, trip computer, remote central locking and a leather multi-function steering wheel. A TomTom navigation unit is available on Sport and Lounge spec vehicles as well.

Safety is also well sorted. Features as standard include, traction and stability control, antilock brakes with brake-force distribution, hill-hold assist, seven airbags, seatbelt pretensionsers, and three-point seatbelts for all occupants. The Fiat 500 was awarded a five-star safety rating from ANCAP.

At the week's end, the fuel consumption average was 6.6 litres/100km.

With a drive-away price tag of just $14,000, the Fiat 500 Pop brings a sassy form to this budget end of motoring. It presents a convincing value for money proposition.

An unashamed flirt and definite over-achiever, the Fiat 500 saw much love from my entire household. It more than proved itself as the perfect city car.