
Competition for the six-year-old 2017 Fiat 500 hasn't stood still, and the latest Honda Fit remains an excellent subcompact choice—minus the cheeky's 500's style and character, of course.
The Fit's ingenious fold-away seats give it the segment's most flexible interior and enough space for four adults to ride comfortably.
The Mini Cooper, now in a new generation of three- and five-door hardtops, a genuine convertible, and a Clubman wagon too, is larger inside and far more fuel-efficient than the 500, which is only so-so on that front.
(The Mini costs a lot more, though.) The Chevy Spark was new last year, and while it doesn't have the 500's charm, it can fit four adults inside a striking small five-door hatchback with all the latest infotainment features.
The Smart Fortwo was new last year as well, offering (finally) decent driving qualities along with urban parking ability that can't be beat.
Finally, the Ford Fiesta is as old as the 500, but still scores on driving fun, though it's tighter inside than some of the four-seaters.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2017 Fiat 500, in a simplified lineup of models, is still stylish and distinctive after six years; pick the Abarth for driver excitement or the 500c Cabrio for inexpensive soft-top fun |
The 2017 Chevrolet Spark is one of the best tiny cars you can buy in America, with its laudable array of active-safety systems. |
The 2017 Mini Cooper is still one of the most fun cars to drive on the road today. |
The 2016 Fiesta offers fun and features not expected at these prices, but it lacks interior space compared to top rivals. |
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. | |
MSRP From | |||||
$14,995 | $13,000 | $20,950 | $14,580 | $15,890 | $13,270 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
28 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 30 MPG City / 39 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 36 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 34 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Premium Unleaded I-4 | Gas I4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded I-3 |
EPA Class | |||||
Minicompact Cars | Subcompact Car | Subcompact Cars | Subcompact Cars | Small Station Wagon | Two-Seaters |
Style Name | |||||
Pop Hatch | 5-Door HB Manual LS | Cooper FWD | 4-Door Sedan S | 5-Door HB Manual LX | 2-Door Coupe Pure |
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 | Hatchback | Sedan | Hatchback | Coupe |
Transmission | |||||
Manual w/OD | Manual | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2017 FIAT 500 vs. 2017 Chevrolet Spark | 2017 FIAT 500 vs. 2017 MINI Cooper | 2017 FIAT 500 vs. 2016 Ford Fiesta | 2017 FIAT 500 vs. 2016 Honda Fit | 2017 FIAT 500 vs. 2015 smart fortwo |