| Chassis |
|---|
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Torsion beam, coil springs, twin-tube dampers |
| Steering type | Electric-assist, speed-proportional rack-and-pinion power steering with two settings |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 16.3 |
| Tire brand | Pirelli |
| Tire model | Cinturato P7 |
| Tire type | All-season front and rear |
| Tire size, front | P195/45R16 84H |
| Tire size, rear | P195/45R16 84H |
| Wheel size | 16-by-6.5 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Cast aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 10.1-inch ventilated discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 9.4-inch solid discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Test Driver Ratings & Comments |
|---|
| Acceleration comments | Even slower than we suspected. Sport button increases throttle response, but had minimal effect on pure acceleration. The 500 revs slowly, and it doesn't help that a 2-3 shift is required before 60 mph. Rev limiter frustratingly starts to cut in just past 6,000 rpm in 1st gear, at 6,500 in 2nd (redline is 6,750). Five-speed shifter has long throws but positive gates. Best run came with 3,800-rpm launch. |
| Braking rating | Good |
| Braking comments | Powerful brakes give impressively short stopping distances for a car with all-season tires (of course, it helps that the 500 is so light). Firm pedal. Significant nosedive, but only a minor amount of wiggle toward the end of the stop. No fade. |
| Handling rating | Good |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: A lot of body roll and understeer here. Felt like it wanted to spin up the inside front tire a bit with ESC in its "partial off" setting (there's no true Off). Chassis was only somewhat receptive to drop-throttle. With ESC on, system cut throttle to the point you could keep your right foot planted around the circle. Sport button increases steering response, but it doesn't make a dramatic difference. Slalom: This Fiat may not be quick, but it sure changes direction well. Steering is well-weighted and communicative, and the chassis is balanced. Although ESC can only be partially defeated, the system has very high limits and I'm not sure you could go a whole lot faster if it was all-off. Obviously the 500 is aided around the cones by its narrowness and short wheelbase. |
| Dimensions & Capacities |
|---|
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 2,350 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 2,438 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 63/37 |
| Length (in.) | 139.6 |
| Width (in.) | 64.1 |
| Height (in.) | 59.8 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 90.6 |
| Track, front (in.) | 55.4 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 55.0 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 40.7 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 31.7 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 37.6 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 35.6 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 49.4 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 46.4 |
| Seating capacity | 4 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 9.5 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 30.1 |
