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Supermini · Italy · 2007-Present

Fiat 500

Fiat 500 — spec data and generation history.

Fiat 500 press photo
Verdict
B
Years
2007-Present
Generations
3
Segment
Supermini

Fiat's revival of the 1957 500 — Mk1 (2007–2020) was the 312-platform car, sister to the Ford Ka Mk2, with petrol 1.2 / 1.4 / 0.9 TwinAir / 1.3 MultiJet diesel and the Abarth 595/695 hot trims. Hybrid 1.0 mild-hybrid added 2020 (still the same body, restyled). 500e (2020–Present) is the new electric platform car — completely separate body and chassis (CMP-derived), 23.7 kWh or 42 kWh battery, 117 / 154 bhp. Volume entry-level Fiat — the Mk1 is now 17 years old and still on sale in hybrid form. The 500e is the proper modern one. Abarth covered as a separate variant within this generation.

What changed

Era-to-era deltas

Mk1 (312) 2007-2020 → 500e 2020-Present
BHP +85 bhp (top)
Torque +90 Nm
0-60 mph -0.5 s
Top speed +0 mph
Range EV

Generations

Click any generation for the full deep dive

Fiat 500 Mk1 312
2007-2020

Mk1 312

→

0.9 TwinAir 105 — 105 bhp, 0-62 in 10.0s.

Verdict
B
BHP
105
0–60
10.0 s
Top
117 mph
MPG
60.0 mpg
Used
£1,200-£8,500
  • + Cute styling
  • + Cheap to run
  • − Cabin small
  • − Dualogic auto poor
Fiat 500 Mk1 Hybrid
2020-Present

Mk1 Hybrid

→

1.0 mHEV — 70 bhp, 0-62 in 13.8s.

Verdict
C
BHP
70
0–60
13.8 s
Top
104 mph
MPG
54.0 mpg
Used
£8,500-£15,000
  • + Same cute body still
  • + Hybrid badge
  • − Dualogic auto gone — manual only
  • − Slow
Fiat 500 500e
2020-Present

500e

→

500e La Prima (42 kWh) — 117 bhp, 0-62 in 9.0s.

Verdict
B
BHP
117
0–60
9.0 s
Top
93 mph
MPG
0.0 mpg
Used
£15,000-£28,000
  • + New platform — properly modern
  • + 42 kWh genuinely usable
  • − Range modest 199 miles
  • − Charging speed 85 kW DC

Known issues by generation

Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.

2007-2020 · Mk1 312
  • 1.2 timing chain wear
  • TwinAir oil consumption
  • Dualogic robotised manual
  • Cabin water ingress
2020-Present · Mk1 Hybrid
  • 1.0 mild-hybrid 12V starter motor
  • Software updates
  • Cabin water ingress (carryover)
2020-Present · 500e
  • Range modest in cold weather
  • Software updates
  • Charging port latch

Rivals

Mini Cooper · Volkswagen up · Hyundai i10 · Honda Jazz