Fiat 500 1.2 Lounge 3dr Car Review - February 2012

The Lounge has a 1.2-lire 4-cylinder 12v 1242cc petrol engine. It is the least powerful in the basic 500 range, but the 1.2 engine offers decent pull across the rev range. It produces 69 bhp and delivers torque figures of 75lb-ft at 3000rpm. The car reaches 62mph in 12.9 seconds, which is respectable for this class, and has a top speed of 99mph - which will be more than adequate for the majority of drivers.

Tackling bends at high speed causes plenty of body roll but slow down and you will be amazed at the grip and response you get. Overall, handling is great and the ride comfortable. Over potholes and rutted roads the ride becomes unsettled but this is to be expected of a city car.

Refinement is excellent in the Lounge and it offers some of the best ride comfort in the class. The engine is quiet and road noises are completely muffled. Visibility is good on all fronts and parking is easy.

For a car that costs slightly more than £10,000, the Fiat 500 Lounge is a stunner. Retro touches, specifically at the rear, give the car a distinct 50s look. Combined with a rounded, modern shape at the front end, the hatchback has classic evolutionary looks.

The engine is located at the front and access is via three doors. It comes with four seats, and this is the only trim level equipped with split-folding rear seats.

The interior is a beautiful mix of premium branding and retro styling. Few superminis can match the quality of the finish on this car. Additionally, users can personalize the styling further by choosing from hundreds of style combinations on offer.

Standard equipment is generous in the Lounge. Air con, alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, driver airbag, front side airbags, passenger airbags, front fog lights, engine immobilizer, CD player, MP3 port and Bluetooth are all provided.

Available cost options include climate control for £265, rear parking sensors for £265, metallic paint for £440 and leather seats for £775.

The Lounge is laden with safety features to keep you protected. Remote central locking and power steering are all installed, in addition to seven airbags and an immobilizer. It is one of the safest superminis you can drive and scored a top 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP for occupant safety. Fiat engines have earned trust amongst millions of motorists over the decades so reliability should not be an issue.

The steering wheel is fixed, but you can adjust the driving position by shifting the height of the driver’s seat. The dashboard is clear and the controls easy to use.

Space has never been a strong point in the supermini sector, but the Lounge holds its own quite well. At only 3,546mm long and 1,627mm wide, it is smaller than the MINI but provides just as much space as its rival. Rear space is a bit too tight for adults but there is plenty of space at the front. Boot space is larger than the MINI’s too, at 185 litres with the seats up and 550 litres with the seats down.

For its quality, the Ford 500 Lounge is competitively priced. Resale value projections are great too. The manufacturer offers a 3-year warranty up to 60,000 miles and a service interval every 18,000 miles. This should take care of any mechanical problems you may encounter. For the large part though, you shouldn’t experience any issues.

With good driving, your fuel consumption should remain low. A return of 58.9mpg is still way lower than that of a Kia Picanto but not too bad for a city car. You will spend little on insurance, as the car is placed under Group 6. A CO2 emissions average of 113g/km will cost you only £30 a year in Road Tax.