
Some might expect the cars in this class to be frugal champs capable of turning out 50 or 60 mpg, but that's not so much the case; the Fiat 500 goes up mostly against models that focus on fitting into small spaces in the city—and also making the most of their diminutive dimensions.
For the latter, the Honda Fit does best; it's nearly a micro-van, or MPV as the Europeans would call it, and its Magic Seat, with real adult passenger space and excellent cargo space, is unbeatable.
The Toyota Yaris is a little plain, yet this current version has more driving personality, plus a record for reliability.
The Ford Fiesta is a half-step larger, and it's newly offered in high-performance Fiesta ST guise—which makes it an absolute hoot to drive.
The Fiesta is also much more practical as a three- or four-passenger car, and it has its own, edgy modern style.
Other alternatives include the base MINI Cooper, which has a lot of charm but is a bit pricier.
And the Smart Fortwo is ungainly where the 500 is suave; yet some might prefer the space-efficiency and safety reputation of the two-seat Fortwo.
The new Chevy Spark manages to fit seating for four into an exterior size and shape that isn't all that much larger than the 500—although it doesn't have nearly the level of flair or charm as the Fiat.
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Quick Specs | |||||
If you're willing to go small, the 2014 Fiat 500 is one of the most stylish ways to do it—and the Abarth and Turbo add just the right 'edge' to the personality. |
The 2015 Chevrolet Spark can actually seat four adults and manage frugal fuel economy; it's best of the minicars. |
The 2015 Fiesta lineup is proof that small cars don't have to be feature free, and you can even have a bit of fun while saving fuel. |
The 2015 Honda Fit might not up the ante in sportiness, but it offers up exactly what urban small-car shoppers want in safety and convenience features—and it's still as good as some utility vehicles or vans with its wondrous, unmatched Magic Seat setup. |
The mildly updated 2015 MINI Countryman is a versatile compact crossover, one of the smallest on the market, that maintains MINI's character and fun-to-drive spirit. |
The 2014 Smart ForTwo is now an old design, but it remains the easiest car to park in cities, and it's at its best in urban traffic; the electric model, new last year, is the nicest of the bunch, and now remarkably cheap. |
MSRP From | |||||
$16,445 | $12,270 | $14,455 | $15,650 | $22,750 | $13,270 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
28 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 30 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 34 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Premium Unleaded I-4 | Gas I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded I-3 |
EPA Class | |||||
Minicompact Cars | Subcompact Car | Subcompact Cars | Small Station Wagon | Compact Cars | Two-Seaters |
Style Name | |||||
2-Door HB Sport | 5-Door HB Manual LS | 4-Door Sedan S | 5-Door HB Manual LX | FWD 4-Door | 2-Door Coupe Passion |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Hatchback | Hatchback | Sedan | Hatchback | Sport Utility | Coupe |
Transmission | |||||
Manual w/OD | Manual | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2014 FIAT 500 vs. 2015 Chevrolet Spark | 2014 FIAT 500 vs. 2015 Ford Fiesta | 2014 FIAT 500 vs. 2015 Honda Fit | 2014 FIAT 500 vs. 2015 MINI Cooper Countryman | 2014 FIAT 500 vs. 2014 smart fortwo |