Fiat 500 0.9 TwinAir Dualogic 3dr Car Review - February 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £12,410
Tax Band: A
Insurance Group: 11
MPG: 70.6
CO2: 92
0-62 Mph: 11.0 secs
BHP: 85 BHP
Range: 544 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.5/5
The Fiat 500 is a very style conscious car, and this car is one that is definitely at its best in and around the city and suburban streets, where the light handling and nippy steering are ideal. This isn’t a car that is particularly designed to be driven at high speed, and the wind noise when driving on the motorway is significant, and the 0.9 litre engine is also more suited to slower speeds.

PROS:  The distinctive styling of the Fiat 500 has become an increasingly common sight on British roads, and the high standards of safety are a big selling point in such a small car.

CONS:  The suspension is quite hard giving a bumpy ride, and the practicality issues that come with such a small car will be a prohibitive factor for many people.

Behind the Wheel

One of the biggest issues that will be a problem for many drivers will be the firm suspension, which provides a bouncy ride. The fact that the steering wheel cannot be adjusted means that the driver will have to adapt to the car, but adjustable seat height can help. The handling is very nice at slower speeds but once you venture on to the motorway it can prove to be a little skittish.

In terms of the engine performance the 0.9 litre twin cylinders will get the car from 0-62mph in a competitive 11.0 seconds, and the top speed of 108mph will be little more than a pipedream for most Fiat 500 drivers. The engine note is a little different because of the twin cylinder engine, but this is not necessarily a bad thing, and most drivers will find that the 500 is a good little car to drive around town.

Looks & Equipment

The quirky styling of the Fiat 500 harks back to the glory days of the company in the 1960s, and the bold round headlights on the front end are really quirky. The lack of a traditional grille at the front of the car is also an omission that adds to the unusual look of the car, and the rear end is tidy and cute. The interior is also very stylish, and the use of one large dial behind the bright white steering wheel is certainly distinctive.

One aspect about this particular version of the Fiat 500 with the 0.9 litre engine is that the equipment is a little more refined than the entry level model, and the matt black alloy wheels do make the car a lot more attractive. The black roof helps the Twinair to stand out from the standard version of the 500, and the part-leather seats and chrome exhaust make this version one which has a nice balance of luxury and economy.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

The Fiat 500 has been awarded five stars by the Euro NCAP tests for adult safety, and the inclusion of a range of different airbags is certainly a big plus. ABS is included as standard, but traction control and ESP are both additional extras that would improve the driving safety of the car. The 500 comes with an immobiliser and a secure spare wheel as standard, but there is no option for an alarm or deadlocks offered on the car.

The practicality of the Fiat 500 will largely depend on the use to which the car will be put, and those who are commuting or travelling into a city will certainly find that it is easy to park. The space available in the car is limited, but the legroom in the back is not too confined, and the boot space could take a couple of bags.

Value for Money

This model is available for £12,410, which isn’t the cheapest of the superminis that are on the market at the moment. However, the desirability and practicality of the car for young people will mean that there is a good resale value for the car. It is also worth noting that the Fiat 500 comes with a three year warranty and one year’s roadside breakdown recovery, which is fairly standard for cars in this class.

The running costs of this version of the Fiat 500 will have owners smiling, because the fuel performance of 70.6mpg is frankly superb. This is then boosted by the low insurance group and the low emissions means that taxing the car is also very cheap.

Fiat 500 0.9 TwinAir Dualogic 3dr Car Review - by 
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