Fiat Cinquecento (93-98) - Review

Review by Parkers on
Cheap, neatly styled and great fun to drive. All models are inexpensive to run and the 1.1 Sporting is nippy enough for longer trips. The only downside is the flimsy and lightweight feel to the Cinquecento, which feels like it will crumple like an empty coke can in any collision. Be sure to check the condition of the bodywork and trim carefully before purchasing and do not expect wonders on the motorway. Otherwise, the Cinquecento is great around town, feels agile, and is great fun to drive.
2.5 out of 5

Other Fiat reviews

2.5 out of 5

Performance

Nippy around town and responsive at low revs, the Cinquecento can struggle on hills and certainly wasn’t built for high-speed motorway cruising, although the Sporting model does offer extra power and a higher fun factor. At high revs, the eager engines are a bit too noisy and irritating over time, but it does corner superbly and is ideally suited for zipping through city congestion.

2.5 out of 5

Handling

Although the ride is a little firm and unforgiving on bumpy surfaces, the Cinquecento is firmly rooted to the road on corners and copes well on twisting country roads. For a car of this age and price, you can’t expect miracles, but it is surprisingly responsive and competent at handling the awkward circumstances that urban driving can often throw up.