City Sweet: The Fiat 500

Fast, fun, Fiat…500 Abarth

Straight from Italy, via the marriage of Chrysler-Fiat, comes the head turning Fiat 500. In three words, 500 is best described as: A-dor-able!

With a $15,500 base model available in a fun and uplifting array of colors, Fiat made getting into the 500 comfortable at any budget.

Take it up a notch with the 500 Cabrio (500c) from $19,500 or the much sportier, top of the line $22,000 Abarth, which happens to be my personal favorite!

With the word Abarth on the side panel and a regal Abarth Shiled also on the side, front and rear, the Abarth looks far more expensive than it is. But if like size, labels really matter, you might really get off on the Fiat partnership with fellow Italian designer and manufacturer Gucci. If so, take you pick from a $27,750 500c with a top that can drop so you can be seen, or simply to see from the Gucci accessorized 500 base model at $23,750. Other fun factors to be touted aside from 500’s stellar good looks—inside and out or the cute “Blue & Me” Bluetooth system, include the handling.

Seriously, I’m totally digin’ the handling of this compact car. In absence of the bulldog stance seen in the Mini Cooper, both 500 models I’ve driven—the 500c without navigation and the Abarth with a built in TomTom stationed on the dashboard—have been as fun to drive as they are to stop and stare at when someone passes in one. Still, if I had to choose one to take home, hands down it would be the Abarth. This one was designed for the more spirited driver. He or she lives on the edge and enjoys creating new paths, all of which translates to great timing and coordination with the ability to shift from one to five without slowing down traffic. He or she is perfect for the Abarth, especially since the automatic transmission available on the base and Cabrio models is not an Abarth option.

Whether you choose to hit the stick or go automatic, the bottom marked “Sport” is there to help you feel the fierceness. Hit it and feel the throttle awaken as the steering tightens and you begin to soar beyond your imagination of 500’s 1.4 liter engine. Through it all, we’re talking lots of fun with a fuel economy of 27-30 miles per gallon in the city and 32-38 miles on the highway–depending on the model of your choice.