Verdict
B
Supermini · Italy · 2007-Present
Fiat 500
Fiat 500 — spec data and generation history.
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
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
50 mpg
Used
$1,500-$11,000
- + Cute styling
- + Cheap to run
- − Cabin small
- − Dualogic auto poor
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
45 mpg
Used
$11,000-$19,000
- + Same cute body still
- + Hybrid badge
- − Dualogic auto gone — manual only
- − Slow
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 mpg
Used
$19,000-$36,000
- + 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