Discontinuing combustion-engine options and repositioning the third-gen Fiat 500 as an electric-only model in 2020 did not deliver the outcome that the Italians had expected. Just a year after withdrawing the previous-generation gas-engined 500, it has re-engineered the newer 500 Electric’s platform to accommodate a combustion engine.
As in the previous-generation model, the combustion variant uses mild-hybrid technology to comply with Europe’s increasingly stringent emissions regulations. We recently had the opportunity to spend some time with the Fiat 500 Hybrid in person, and here are some key observations from our encounter:
Design
The Fiat 500 Hybrid carries over the exterior design introduced with the electric 500 in 2020. Its proportions remain unchanged, and the familiar silhouette is easy to recognize.
At the front, the car uses circular LED headlamps with semi-circular daytime running lights. A slim, eyelash-style DRL strip runs along the leading edge of the hood, while circular lighting elements sit lower in the bumper.
Unlike the fully sealed nose of the 500 Electric, the Hybrid features a narrow opening below the “500” badge to provide additional cooling for the combustion powertrain.
In profile, the 500 Hybrid retains flush door handles and a short wheelbase. The roofline arches gently toward the rear, and the curvy glasshouse preserves the model’s compact city-car stance. The car shown rides on multi-spoke alloy wheels.
At the rear, the tailgate remains slanted in the familiar 500 layout, with the upper glass and lower panel aligned at the same angle. Rectangular LED tail lamps frame the FIAT lettering and Hybrid badge. The rear bumper remains clean, with minimal surface detailing.
Interior
The ultra-compact cabin of the new Fiat 500 Hybrid flaunts a curvy dashboard, a two-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel, and retro-style gear lever and seat covers. The gear lever is integrated into the dashboard instead of the center console, and I noticed that it eats into the walk-through space between the front seats compared to the 500 Electric.
A semi-circular binnacle houses a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, and it is reminiscent of the headlights of the car. A free-standing 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support and satellite navigation.
Fiat equips the new 500 Hybrid with heated front seats and a wireless smartphone charger.
Specifications
The new Fiat 500 Hybrid employs a 1.0-liter FireFly three-cylinder gas engine that produces 47.8 kW (64 hp) and 92 Nm (68 lb.-ft.) of torque, along with an electric motor, and a 6-speed manual transmission sends drive to the wheels.
The mild-hybrid city car takes 16.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) and achieves a top speed of 155 km/h (96 mph). According to WLTP, it consumes 5.2 liters per 100 km (45.2 US MPG).
Price
In Italy, prices of the new Fiat 500 Hybrid start at EUR 18,900 (approx. USD 22,500) and go up to EUR 23,400 (approx. USD 28,000). Fiat has not announced any plans to launch the mild-hybrid variant in the U.S. where its next launch is the Topolino.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
