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2016 FIAT 500 vs. Its Competition

2016 Fiat 500 (European spec)
John Voelcker John Voelcker

While it still wins on design, style, and personality, the 2016 Fiat 500 faces a newer and tougher group of small-car competitors than it did five years ago.

The two-year-old Honda Fit is a perennially strong subcompact, with its fold-away seats giving it the most flexible interior in the segment and enough space to hold four adults comfortably.

The Fiesta's not as large as the Fit, but delivers a lot more driving fun and good fuel economy.

The Mini Cooper was also redesigned in 2014, and its latest incarnation is both larger inside and far more fuel-efficient in its base model than the 500, whose fuel economy is only so-so.

(The MINI's considerably pricier, though.) Both the Chevrolet Spark five-door and the two-seat Smart ForTwo are all new for 2016.

The former especially may prove a strong, cost-effective, and more practical minicar than the aging 500--while the latter offers urban parking ability that can't be beat and (finally) decent driving qualities.

2016 Fiat 500 (European spec)2016 FIAT 500
Browse Used Listings		2016 Chevrolet Spark, test drive outside Detroit, July 20162016 Chevrolet Spark
Browse Used Listings		2015 Ford Fiesta2016 Ford Fiesta
Browse Used Listings		2016 Honda Fit2016 Honda Fit
Browse Used Listings		2016 MINI Cooper S Convertible2016 MINI Cooper
Browse Used Listings		2016 Smart ForTwo (European model)2016 smart fortwo
Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
6.6
The 2016 Fiat 500 remains distinctive and stylish, with the Abarth and Turbo models scoring high for driver excitement and the electric 500e perhaps the best all-round version (but only for Californians).
7.4
The 2016 Chevrolet Spark is an all-new version of the minicar that actually seats four adults; its more "adult" styling, higher-quality materials, and optional active-safety features may make it the best of the tiny cars.
7.6
The 2016 Fiesta offers fun and features not expected at these prices, but it lacks interior space compared to top rivals.
8.0
The 2016 Honda Fit isn't as entertaining to drive as it once was, but it's unmatched in safety and space, thanks to the Magic Seat.
8.6
The 2016 Mini Cooper is as cheeky as its retro style implies—and its three-cylinder engine is a charming surprise.
7.2
The 2016 Smart ForTwo promises parking ease—and this time, maybe better fuel economy and handling.
MSRP From     
$16,995$12,660$14,580$15,890$20,700$14,650
Gas Mileage     
28 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy30 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy26 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy29 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy23 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy32 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy
Engine     
Premium Unleaded I-4Gas I4Regular Unleaded I-4Regular Unleaded I-4Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3Premium Unleaded I-3
EPA Class     
Minicompact CarsSubcompact CarSubcompact CarsSmall Station WagonMinicompact CarsTwo-Seaters
Style Name     
2-Door HB Easy5-Door HB Manual LS4-Door Sedan S5-Door HB Manual LX2-Door HB2-Door Coupe Pure
Drivetrain     
Front Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel DriveRear Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity     
445542
Passenger Doors     
N/A4N/AN/AN/AN/A
Body Style     
HatchbackHatchbackSedanHatchbackHatchbackCoupe
Transmission     
Manual w/ODManualManual w/ODManual w/ODManual w/ODManual w/OD
Detailed Spec Comparison
 2016 FIAT 500 vs. 2016 Chevrolet Spark2016 FIAT 500 vs. 2016 Ford Fiesta2016 FIAT 500 vs. 2016 Honda Fit2016 FIAT 500 vs. 2016 MINI Cooper2016 FIAT 500 vs. 2016 smart fortwo