Are Fiats Good Cars?
While revered for spunk and charisma, Fiats have controversial reliability and fuel economy considering their price point compared to other brands.
Written by Maxine Boyko
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Fiat was the lowest-ranked brand on repairpal.com in 2021 with a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0. Despite these subpar reliability ratings, Fiat remains a sought-after heritage brand with a fair share of high and low points throughout its 120-plus year run.
Fiat—not necessarily known for outright reliability—has received pretty mixed reviews over the years when it comes to the company’s manufacturing. However, consumers have remained loyal to the brand’s pragmatic—albeit quirky—design and zippy acceleration for over a century.
Go for a trip down memory lane, then peek into Fiat’s future with
Jerry
the car insurance
expert. In this article, we’ll cover where the brand has been, where it’s going, and what to generally expect when it comes to Fiat’s reliability, safety, cost, and other important characteristics. We'll even give a tip to help lower your Fiat insurance costs
!Are Fiats good cars?
Fiats are recognized for being breezy, fun, city-nimble cars with midline fuel efficiency and economic pricing. The manufacturer remains Italy’s largest automobile manufacturer, although its American line-up has dwindled to a single vehicle in recent years.
Fiat was originally founded in 1899 to manufacture train carriages and engines. They began making vehicles and plane engines for the Italian military during WWII and continued acquiring other automakers throughout the 1960s.
Configuration | Starting price |
|---|---|
Pop | $27,300 |
Trekking | $28,435 |
Sport | $29,290 |
Yacht Club | $33,280 |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversEdmunds.com gave the 500X a 7.3/10, while Car and Driver held up a 6/10 rating. While an enjoyable little car, the 2022 subcompact crossover SUV has received echoing criticism for its small size (with stingy cargo and rear passenger space) and high price compared to its competitors.
Fiat most recently discontinued the sporty, electric
500e
green machine, 500L
, and 124 Spider
(developed in conjunction with the Mazda MX-5) in 2020. After merging with Stellantis in 2021, there has been chatter that the international brand won’t continue for much longer.Key Takeaway The Fiat 500 is revered by many for its extra small size, despite mixed reviews, and the 500X is the only remaining vehicle in the Italian manufacturer’s dwindling line-up.
Are Fiats reliable?
Fiats have been low-scoring in recent years when it comes to reliability. Consumer Reports ranked Fiat last on its best vehicles list in 2021, though partially due to a lack of models—only the 500L and 500X—to test.
A vehicle’s reliability depends on how well they have held up in comparison to other cars and how affordable and convenient its repairs are. A good warranty, infrequent and inexpensive repairs, and few to no recalls are all distinguishing characteristics of a reliable brand.
The Fiat 500X received a less reliable ranking than other new cars, along with a low owner satisfaction rating and a stamp of mediocre performance. Unfortunately, the Fiat brand struggles to maintain even basic levels of reliability and owner satisfaction, with every review outcome hinging on the company’s last model left in the U.S. lineup.
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Are Fiats safe?
Fiats have received pretty good safety ratings over the years. The 2016 500X, achieved perfect safety test scores and was awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+ in 2015—the top distinction available.
While there is limited information available for the 2021 Fiat 500X’s safety, the IIHS scored its roof strength as “good”, its headlights as “poor”, and the optional front crash prevention system as “advanced”. Additionally, the 2021 model has no safety recalls and 75 standard and available safety features, including:
- Blind-spot monitoring and rare cross path detection
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Full speed forward collision warning with active braking
- Adaptive cruise control
Lastly, the Fiat 500X features a steel safety frame that helps transfer energy absorbed during impacts to lower the risk of injury, as well as seven airbags throughout the cabin. Just make sure to test out the child safety seat LATCH system if you need to fit a
car seat in your Fiat
—the 500X has received a consistent “marginal” score for ease of use throughout the years.MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings
Are Fiats expensive to maintain?
The
average annual maintenance cost for a Fiat
is slightly higher than the national average at $538—due in part to their lower-than-average reliability. That said, the unscheduled maintenance costs for a Fiat are lower compared to other brands such as BMW
.Out of all Fiat repairs, 17% are likely to be severe, as compared to 12% across all cars. On Carcomplaints.com the 500 has received the most criticism of all Fiats at 81 complaints, and the 500L comes in second with 34 complaints. The 500X is ranked third for complaints, though most cite a service engine light problem that was specific to the 2016 model.
Are Fiats good on gas?
Fiat used to be renowned for excellent fuel economy, especially with the all-electric 500e from 2016 to 2019, which has a combined fuel economy of 112 mpg equivalent!
Unfortunately, the latest all-gas Fiat 500X is far from hitting this number, having a combined fuel economy of 26 mpg. That said, all 500X models come standard with a 1.3-liter MultiAir® Turbo “VROOM” engine—a highly efficient high-tech engine with power-saving Stop/Start technology to afford more fuel savings.
For such a sporty build, the 500X is also not the fastest crossover in its class. Car and Driver instead recommends either the
Hyundai Kona
or Mazda CX-30
, with combined comparable fuel economies of 30 mpg and 25 mpg, respectively. If you’re eco-friendly, it’s worth looking into other crossover options with boosted EPA cred.MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car
Are Fiats fun to drive?
Let’s get down to brass tacks: Fiats are fun, adorable, sporty little Italian cars! The Fiat 500X and similar retired models offer iconic carefree driving reminiscent of sunny days zipping up and down the Amalfi Coast.
Fiat receives strong consumer support from a loyal and enthusiastic fan base, but some critics believe there are better options in the segment. Car and Driver cites the Fiat 500X for being sluggish, sloppy on backroads, and too small for passengers. The infotainment options —albeit acceptable—have also been consistently limited.
At the very least, the Fiat brand is known for its charismatic style. The 500X Sport trim in particular offers larger wheels and is a bit of a “glow up” when compared to the tiny 500 city car.
Sure, there are sportier options, but part of this crossover’s appeal is limited frills and predictable thrills—making it a pint-size standard.
What’s the best Fiat?
The best Fiat for you will depend on your tastes and personal preference, as well as lifestyle and budget. Here are some of the top picks from Fiat’s most recent line-ups:
- Fiat 500: The original 500 is arguably the most important car to come off Fiat’s production line. Similar to the VW Beetle or the Mini Cooper, it shook the public market with its small size while still providing great value, adequate fuel efficiency, and reasonable dependability.
- Fiat 124 Spider: The 124 Spider was downright safe and reliable—and one of the most affordable sports cars on the market! The final 124 produced for the 2020 model year received a 9/10 rating from Car and Driver.
- Fiat 500X: The final girl of America’s Fiat purge—the straightforward and stylish 500X. The subcompact SUV is rooted in tradition with agile and athletic driving abilities powered by a standard 177-horsepower turbocharged engine.
MORE:
Car Loan for Fiat 2022
How to find affordable Fiat insurance
The annual
car insurance
cost for a Fiat can vary widely, depending on model year, age, condition, and other influencing factors like location and demographics. There are plenty of complicated ways to save money on coverage—but the quickest and easiest is by downloading the Jerry
app. All you have to do is complete a super short and simple sign-up for our
trustworthy insurance shopping super app
to start matching you against over 50 leading insurers in the nation. You’ll be browsing competitive and customized quotes in under a minute! Just pick your favorite and Jerry will help you cancel your old insurance and sign up for your new one. The average Jerry user saves nearly $900 a year on their premium. Take the guesswork out of getting adequate coverage, and start saving hundreds annually with Jerry!
“Because I have a luxury car, I was more interested in finding better coverage than the exact price.Jerryhelped me upgrade my policy, and when my record is cleared next year, I will be using Jerry again to choose an even cheaper plan!” —Paige W.
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FAQs
Is Toyota better than Fiat?
Toyota is known in the U.S. for being one of the best brands when it comes to reliability, but Fiat is known for experience, luxury, and comfort. If you’re looking for a cheap and reliable vehicle, go for the Toyota. If you want something that’s got charisma, spunk, and a certain je ne sais quoi, it’s Fiat all the way!
Do Fiat cars last long?
Yes! Fiat cars usually last between 200,000 to 250,000 miles with regular maintenance and proper care. Plenty of Fiat 500 owners have seen their cars reach more than 100,000 miles without any mechanical problems.
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