Fiat’s safety ratings have not always been perfect, but in recent years, they’ve been rated above average. The 500X, which is the only Fiat currently manufactured for the U.S. market earns good ratings overall.

The Italian car manufacturer Fiat is one of the oldest in the market. Throughout its century of experience, Fiat has focused on innovation, iconic style, and a commitment to affordability. However, the pursuit of affordability sometimes led to subpar construction and below-average safety ratings. Luckily, engineers continued to innovate in response to these issues to create a make with good overall safety ratings.

If you want to know more about Fiat safety ratings, you’re in the right place.

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, has gathered all the information available on Fiat’s safety ratings, their suite of available driver-assist options, and which models perform best in crash tests. Plus, we've thrown in some tips to help you lower your

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Are Fiats safe in accidents?

Fiat has struggled a bit with safety ratings since its reintroduction to the U.S. market in 2012. However, the make’s quick adjustments to seat structure resulted in overall moderate to good ratings for models built after July 1, 2011.

What makes a Fiat safe?

Buyers and reviewers have worried whether the Fiat is just too small to be truly safe. Luckily, and especially where the

500X

is concerned, drivers can rest assured they’ll be protected in case of a crash.

Fiat’s engineers have designed a steel safety frame around the passenger cabin that transfers impact energy to help protect you in case of a crash. In addition, all current-model Fiats feature a seven-airbag system that includes multistage front airbags, a driver’s knee-bolster airbag, full-length side-curtain airbags, and front seat-mounted pelvic-thoracic airbags.

But Fiat recognizes there’s a lot more to vehicle safety than just protecting you in case of a crash. In fact, the best way to protect you in a crash is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This is where Fiat’s suite of available safety and security features comes into play. Available features include:

Forward collision warning

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection

LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist

Adaptive cruise control

All Fiats feature the brand’s Parkview® rear backup camera, and driver-assist features are available as part of a vehicle safety package on all new Fiats.

MORE:

6 cruise control safety tips you should never ignore

The two safety rating systems you need to know

Lots of car websites and consumer-focused groups offer individual safety ratings on vehicles, but the two most important and reliable ratings come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The NHTSA is a federal agency, while the IIHS is an independent non-profit—and both conduct a variety of tests to evaluate the safety of motor vehicles in the U.S.

The

NHTSA

uses a five-star rating system established in 1993. Each vehicle tested receives an overall score based on a combination of individual ratings in three major tests:

Frontal crash

Side crash

Rollover

IIHS rates vehicles on a series of

six tests

, awarding a rating of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor in each test. In addition to the three tests run by the NHTSA, the IIHS evaluates LATCH car seat attachments, evaluates the efficacy of a vehicle’s headlights, and includes not only crashworthiness but also collision mitigation in their ratings.

Which Fiat has the highest safety ratings?

Based on IIHS Safety ratings, the

Fiat 500X

is the safest Fiat in a crash. The NHTSA has only tested the

Fiat 500

, and poor front-crash ratings led to an overall 3-star rating.

Though the 500X performed well in all crash tests, the headlight evaluation was Poor, which means night-driving will not be as safe as it may be in other models. According to testers, low beams offered inadequate visibility whether on a straightaway or negotiating a curve.

In addition to Poor headlight evaluations, the Fiat 500X also earned only a Moderate rating for LATCH child seat anchor ease of use. The issue testers recorded here is that the anchors are difficult to find and difficult to maneuver once located.

MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings

2022 Fiat 500X safety ratings

Starting price: $28,120

IIHS safety rating: Good

NHTSA safety rating: Not Rated

Standard all-wheel drive, a peppy turbo engine, and adorable styling make the subcompact crossover

500X

popular among the younger crowd, and solid safety ratings make it even better. The new cloth Al-Fresco sunroof that folds back for a near-convertible experience is a great option for those looking to feel the wind in their hair.

MORE:

14 safe driving tips

2020 Fiat 124 Spider safety ratings

Starting price: $26,885

IIHS safety rating: Not Rated

NHTSA safety rating: Not Rated

The

Fiat 124 Spider

was essentially a more relaxed take on the

Mazda MX-5 Miata

. Though neither the IIHS nor the NHTSA rated the Spider, it was built on the same frame and shared many model features with the Miata, which earned solid ratings from both agencies. However, while the Miata features all driver-assist technologies standard on all models, the Spider, like other Fiat models, only offers them as available options.

As the Fiat 124 Spider is no longer in production for the U.S., if you’re looking for a snappy little sports car, we’d recommend you go for the Miata instead.

MORE:

Highway driving tips for safe and smooth travel

2020 Fiat 500L safety ratings

Starting price: $23,995

IIHS safety rating: Moderate

NHTSA safety rating: Not Rated

The

500L

offered huge cargo space and plenty of passenger space, which should have made it a top pick for families. However, lackluster looks combined with a Poor rating (the lowest) from the IIHS in its small-overlap front crash test led it to be one of the least popular Fiat models on the U.S. market. In addition, The 500L did not even offer available driver-assist features such as blind-spot monitoring or adaptive cruise control.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for a small but family-friendly SUV, we’d recommend you go with a more stylish and safe option like the

Kia Soul

or the

Mazda CX-3

2019 Fiat 500 safety ratings

Starting price: $17,549

IIHS safety rating: Moderate

NHTSA safety rating: 3-star

The Fiat 500 suffered from similar issues in the small-overlap front crash test to the 500Ll. In addition, it had structural and safety cage issues that could potentially lead to partial or full driver ejection as well as massive damage to the driver’s legs in case of a front-end collision. Some of these issues were mitigated with a front-seat redesign, but these did not address issues with the driver’s side door springing from its hinges on impact.

If safety is your top priority, you should steer clear of this model Fiat.

MORE:

What is a safe driver discount?

How you can save money on Fiat insurance

As a brand, Fiat may not have the best record when it comes to safety, but the 500X is a good option with overall good ratings, which could help you keep your

car insurance

costs low.

When outfitted with available driver-assist options, the Fiat 500X can help you avoid accidents, which can help you keep your insurance premiums low. Plus, insurance companies sometimes offer discounts to drivers whose vehicles include upgraded safety technology. That means that while you may pay more upfront for Fiat’s driver-safety features, they could save you money over time on your insurance costs.

But you can save even more money on your Fiat’s insurance by using the

Jerry

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