Are Fiats good first cars?
Fiat’s local model range opens with one of the smallest cars currently on sale, followed by a compact sedan and hatchback, and is capped-off by a compact crossover. You’d expect these models to be great first cars, so we checked them out to see how well today’s Fiats meet the needs of first-time car owners.
At the lower end of the local Fiat hierarchy is the little 500, which exclusively employs a 0.9-litre turbocharged 2-cylinder engine to produces 63 kW and 145 Nm. Most 500 variants are equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox to drive the front wheels, but the “Dolcevita” trim level features a mechanised version of that same transmission (automated manual) as the sole self-shifting option in the range.
The mid-range Fiat Tipo can be had in 4-door sedan or 5-door hatch flavours, each coming with either a 1.4-litre petrol/6-speed manual combination, or with a 1.6-litre petrol/6-speed automatic alternative. Neither is particularly potent, with 70 kW/127 Nm available from the 1.4, and 81 kW/146 Nm on offer in the 1.6. However, the Tipo range has many other strong suits, as we shall soon see.
Crossover shoppers also catered-for, with the larger 500X adding some SUV flavour (and lots of extra practicality) to the basic 500 shape. It is completely unrelated to the little 500, however, and shares its underpinnings with the Jeep Renegade. All 500X variants use the same 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine (good for 103 kW and 230 Nm), with the choice between 6-speed gearboxes in either manual- or dual-clutch automatic to drive the front wheels.
Fiat 500 (From R 223 900)
First Car Rating: 3/5
The 500 ticks a lot of boxes for someone’s first car: It’s small and easy to drive, economical to run, and fairly affordable. It also includes stability control, ABS, and 7 airbags as standard fitment across the range, so its basic safety equipment is pretty comprehensive for the money.
The downsides include very limited cabin space (it’s really a 2+2, rather than a proper 4-seater), a small boot (only 185 litres available with the rear seats in use), and a rather disappointing 3-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The entry-level 500 Cult also has to make do without any parking sensors, while the higher-level derivatives feature rear sensors only.
A rear-view camera is another strange omission (not available anywhere in the range), especially considering the (comparatively) thick roof pillars and smallish rear windscreen. Parking assistance (self-parking) is not available, either.
However, it’s the lack of front parking sensors anywhere in the range, and the total absence of a rear-view camera, which combines with the 500’s middling crash test rating, to drop its score as a first car to 3/5. If those features were to be improved, it may well turn into a 5/5 first car, but as it stands, it misses the mark by a surprisingly wide margin.
Related: Shop for new and used Fiat 500 cars for sale here.
Fiat Tipo (From R 307 900)
First Car Rating: 3/5 or 5/5
The Fiat Tipo does a fair bit better as a first car, because it adds some important safety kit in its higher trim levels. The least-expensive sedan has no parking helpers at all, so there are no parking sensors or cameras available at the entry level, so that one probably isn't the best choice for a first car.
However, all variants from “City Life” specification upwards include a rear-view camera and parking sensors both front and rear. All Tipos also include stability control and 6 airbags as standard, and a solid 4-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, so they’ll offer good protection to a new driver.
Related: Shop for new and used Fiat Tipo cars for sale here.
Fiat 500X (From R 404 900)
First Car Rating: 4/5 or 5/5
Paradoxically, the widest and tallest current Fiat model also rates the highest as first cars. This in largely due to the standard inclusion of some important safety features across the range, including 6 airbags, stability control, rear parking sensors, and lane-keeping assist.
Higher-trim 500X derivatives add a rear-view camera and front parking sensors as well, easing the stress of parking to a large degree. It also scored 4 stars in Euro NCAP crash testing, with very good protection for adults and children alike: 86% protection for adults, and 85% for children. So, if your first car also has to serve as safe family vehicle, the Fiat 500X will definitely suit your needs very well.
Related: Shop for new and used Fiat 500X cars for sale here.
* Prices and specifications listed in this article were current at the time of publication, but are subject to change without prior notice.
