Fiat’s retro baby, the 500, carries on in Australia for 2021 with a reborn Dolcevita flagship, carryover engines, and an opening price under $20,000.
It’s on sale and in dealerships now, though it’s a little lonelier in Fiat showrooms with the axing of the 500X locally.
This isn’t the all-electric Fiat 500 recently introduced in Europe. That remains off the menu for Australia. This is the car first revealed in 2007, and updated in 2016.
The cutesy little 500 doesn’t have many straight rivals in Australia. Although it’s a little car, it’s not really a Kia Picanto equivalent. Think of it as more of a smaller, Italian equivalent to the Mini Cooper and you’re more on the money.
At the top of the range is the Dolcevita, designed to bring a taste of the good life from the Riviera to Australia. With 16-inch alloy wheels, body-colour dashboard trim, and chrome exterior highlights, it plays up the retro more than the base model.
Pricing
- 2021 Fiat 500 Lounge manual: $18,950
- 2021 Fiat 500 Dolcevita manual: $21,450
- 2021 Fiat 500 Dolcevita Convertible manual: $25,450
A ‘Dualogic’ automatic transmission is optional on all models, priced at $2000.
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engine
Power in the 2021 Fiat 500 comes from a naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 51kW of power and 102Nm of torque.
It puts that power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission, or a five-speed ‘Dualogic’ semi-automatic.
Fuel Economy
The 2021 Fiat 500 uses a claimed 4.9L/100km on the combined cycle with the manual, or 4.8L/100km with the semi-automatic.
Dimensions
The 2021 Fiat 500 measures 3571mm long, 1627mm wide and 1488mm tall, with a 2300mm wheel base.
Boot space is 185L in both the hatchback and the convertible.
Servicing and Warranty
The 2021 Fiat 500 is backed by a three-year, 150,000-kilometre warranty.
Maintenance is required every 12 months or 15,000km.
Safety
The Fiat 500 has a five-star ANCAP rating based on testing carried out in 2008.
In Australia, it comes standard with seven airbags and rear parking sensors, but there’s no active safety technology like autonomous emergency braking to be had.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment in the Lounge includes:
- 15-inch alloy wheels
- 7.0-inch infotainment system
- Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- LED headlights
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Powered, heated exterior mirrors
- 50/50-folding rear bench
- Speed limiter
- Rear parking sensors
The Dolcevita has:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Fixed glass sunroof (hatch)
- Body-colour dashboard
- Dolcevita badging
- Fog lights
- Premium cloth seat trim
- Chrome exterior detailing
- Cruise control
- Automatic climate control
- Automatic headlights and windscreen wipers
Options include:
- Pastel paint (Lounge, $550)
- Metallic/pastel paint (Dolcevita, $550)
- Powered sunroof (Dolcevita hatch, $1500)
- Lusso Package (Dolcevita, $1900)
- Leather seats
- Tinted side and rear windows
- 16-inch alloy wheels
Colours
The colours available on the Fiat 500 are below.
MORE: Everything Fiat 500
