Arguably (or not, actually), the Fiat 500's chief rival is the Mini Cooper. Two tiny, fuel- and space efficient boxes that are fun to buzz around in. Yes, the Cooper is sportier, especially in turbocharged S form. But the forthcoming 500 Abarth looks very promising...
Sorry, I digress, this is supposed to be about something much more exciting...
After some serious procrastination on my part and subsequent urging on the part of the missus, we finally went to the laundromat. Three large gym/duffle bags and an overflowing basket were ready to challenge the 500's cargo capacity. After flipping the rear seats down they all just fit. I was pleasantly surprised, as I was prepared to pile a few of them atop each other.
Of course I had to then see how the 500 compares to the seven-inch-longer Mini Cooper hatchback. Whaddya know; the 500 has 25 percent more max cargo capacity -- 30.1 cubic feet versus the Mini's 24 cubes. And with the rear seats up, the 500 again has a sizable advantage, with 9.5 cf versus 5.7 cf. Maybe not as glamorous a victory as a superior slalom time, but more relevant for most folks.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor @ 11,381 miles
jacarig says:
05:44 PM, 01/17/12
The thing I like least about this 500 and the Cooper are the horribly styled interiors. Im not sure how materials are, but the actual design is terrible to my eyes. No way I'd want to look at either of those interiors for the next 3-5 years.
//end rant
Impressive cargo capacity considering the small exterior dimensions. Hatchbacks FTW.
epbrown says:
07:17 PM, 01/17/12
jacarig: both cars are meant to evoke interior styling from the 50s, so I can see that. I've got no problem with the 500 (the concentric gauge is cool), and the only issue I have with the Mini is that dumb center gauge. And when everyone complained about it on the first generation, Mini's solution was to make it bigger!?
Like DiPietro, I'm unsure about the 500 and Mini being rivals. It's more a case of the 500 trying to undercut the Mini in the market by being not as good but not as pricey, and pricing is a HUGE weakpoint of the Mini, imo. I'm flummoxed how people here post the 500 Abarth is too expensive for what it does, but don't bat an eye at a $30k+ Mini (shrug).
everglades says:
08:50 PM, 01/17/12
that picture is why i won't live in a condo or house that doesn't have a washer/dryer inside the unit...
firstwagon says:
09:06 PM, 01/17/12
I didn't know they still have laundromats. Must be one around but haven't noticed it. Seems even the crappiest rental houses and apartments have their own washer/ dryer now.
As for the Mini/500 debate, for every practical reason the 500 is the better choice. Way cheaper, roomier and likely more reliable.
Much as I'd like a 500 though I'd still probably buy the Mini.
I like the dash on the Mini but can see where it is too much for most. (BTW it's in the centre because that's where real Minis had their speedos).
Can't see anything wrong with the 500s interior. Materials are decent enough and has way more style the the Japanese or Korean competitition.
throwback says:
05:28 AM, 01/18/12
I know Fiat claims the 500 is a Mini competitor but I just don't see it. The Mini is clearly in a different class in terms of performance, technology and interior materials. Sadly Mini is also in a different class when it comes to durability but that's a different issue. I think the 500 is more of a Fit, Fiesta etc competitor, and I think it competes well with those cars while offering more style.
ed124c says:
06:44 AM, 01/18/12
Well, I know I would much rather have a Fiesta than a 500.
Comparing the 500 to the Mini marginalizes the 500. The Mini will always win out. The only reasonable comparison is with small cars of similar price, like the Accent, Fiesta, Sonic, Rio, etc. ALL of those are better cars in my opinion. And that is why you fail, 500.
altimadude05 says:
06:48 AM, 01/18/12
I get that this car nails the charm and cute receptors and maybe a bit of nostalgia for those that know about the history of Fiat.
However, this car make the practicality part of my brain explode.
fordson1 says:
07:22 AM, 01/18/12
The laundromat! That brings back the college days, for sure.
No way I'd do it now, though. I'm not leaving my house to wash clothes, any more than I would leave it to cook meals or take a shower.
I basically agree - Fiesta over the Fiat any day.
ek900 says:
09:02 AM, 01/18/12
As an owner of a Mini Cooper and someone who has driven a 500, I have to say I think most commenters miss the point. Neither of these cars really is aimed at the Fiesta/Fit crowd. They both drive a lot more aggressively, and go for more style inside and out.
Sometimes that style is also more practical (the Mini actually has the best little floor behind the rear seats, holds groceries perfectly and very securely), and sometimes it is not (the Mini radio is clearly "overdesigned" and less useful than that in my Plymouth Horizon).
But frankly of all of the subcompact small cars I have seen or driven, both the Mini and Fiat are much more entertaining, which to me makes them more liveable. I like to smile when I drive. I've owned cars that just made me sad every time I opened the door.
johnnyturbo says:
09:02 AM, 01/18/12
@ firstwagon and fordson,
Here in my neighborhood of $650k, 1100-square foot bungalows (which is why I rent), not every apartment or rental house comes with washer/dryer. I live on one side of a '30s Spanish style house. It's charming, spacious and has a really nice yard and a great landlord, but no washer/dryer. I'd rather this scenario (I could always just buy a combo washer/dryer) then live in an apartment building. Life is full of trade-offs, especially in overpopulated places.
@ throwback and ed124c,
Yes, the base Cooper outperforms the base 500, but not sure why you'd think the Cooper is superior in terms of technology and interior materials. Don't see any advantage in the former, and as far as the latter, I'd call it a draw as neither is particularly impressive, especially the Mini, given its $4,000 higher base price.
johnnyturbo says:
03:59 PM, 01/18/12
*than* live in an apartment building.
church123 says:
04:08 PM, 01/18/12
Add me to the group who say the crop of sub-compacts like Fiesta, Fit (still overall best car in the class if you can only afford to own one car), Elantra, etc. make the 500 a tough sell. Maybe if the Fiat weren't such a wart (love that characterization).
On the topic of apartments in SoCal, I live near the beach, my rent would get me a mansion in most of the country, and the building I live in is at least 50 years old, has no A/C, a gas fired wall heater and I have to share a single washer/dryer with 3 other units. I hate that it costs so much, but my business is here and it pays the bills - and I refuse to pay the prices that this overpriced housing market still demands. As California continues on its slow suicide though, I suspect I'll be finding a new home in another state within the next 10 years.
firstwagon says:
08:30 PM, 01/18/12
church123
The Fit may get a big boost in the competition soon. So far it's been rather pricey since it's made in Japan and dealers only seem to want to stock loaded versions (keep the profits high).
However Honda is now making them in China and that should give them a lot more room to lower the price. We get them here in Canada now and the US can't be far behind.
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2011/12/honda-importing-made-in-china-fit-models-to-canada.html
talindsay says:
08:20 PM, 01/24/12
I think the commenters here all miss the main market for the 500. While the Mini is trying to be all about performance and sport, and while the Fiesta / Fit / Yaris / 2 are trying to be the swiss army knife of cars, the 500 is a true CITY CAR - something the US market lacks (unless you count the useless Smart). I just bought a 500 and honestly, while I looked at the Fiesta and the 2 (both are excellent cars), I never truly intended to buy anything other than the 500, and here's why: we're a family of three who live in central Minneapolis. Our main (and for the past two years, only) car is a Mazda 5 (also a manual transmission - if you're not shifting you're just pointing - but I digress), and so literally ANYTHING we ever have to haul we can use the 5 for.
I don't care about cargo capacity, AT ALL, that's what the 5 is for. I have a two car garage; one stall has the 5 in it. The other stall has a motorcycle, a scooter, four bicycles, a table saw, a drill press, and a compressor. And I can fit the 500 in there with six inches to spare. At the same time.
The 500 is literally the SMALLEST car on the market that we can all fit in, and hence it's the perfect second car for us. If we don't need to haul stuff with this car, why buy a Fiesta? It's harder to park, takes up more space, all so I can haul around empty space in the back?
It's also super fun and quite economical. I've driven several friends' Minis - they're great cars, I'd love to drive one - but they're not a good value proposition.
The Fiat hits the perfect city car / second car sweet spot, and in that space it has no competitors. The Mini prices itself out of this space, and the Fiesta / 2 / Fit are all too big.
But now I'll be honest and admit it has nothing to do with any of that, I just fell in love with the car. Did I mention I have a British motorcycle and an Italian scooter?