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2013 FIAT 500 safety – Ratings, transmission, and features

2013 FIAT 500 safety – Ratings, transmission, and features

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The FIAT 500 emerged in the North American market as a stylish, compact automobile that carries the air of Italian flair for cars and the space and practicality of an urban-friendly dimension. For the 2013 model year, it did not end there, as the quirky design also underlined nimble handling and quite high customization options. The 2013 FIAT 500 remains at a high demand for budget-conscious, unique, and economical rides. In this extensive analysis, we will take a close look at its safety ratings, transmission choices, notable features, and what puts this compact car a head above the rest in a saturated segment.

Safety Ratings

Compact cars are often scrutinized on their safety, or lack thereof, pertaining to the welfare of occupants. The 2013 FIAT 500 is no different. How exactly does it fair in crash tests?

Crash Test Ratings

In the year 2013, the FIAT 500 had no positive testimony from most safety organizations.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Overall Safety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Frontal Crash Rating: 4 stars
Side Crash Rating: 3 stars
Rollover Rating: 4 stars (with a 13% rollover risk)

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Moderate Overlap Front Test: Good
Side Impact Test: Marginal
Roof Strength Test: Acceptable
Head Restraints and Seats: Good

2013 FIAT 500

Safety Features

Although the 2013 FIAT 500 doesn’t sport any of today’s smarter safety features that newer models have, it does come standard with a respectable complement of safety features:

Seven Airbags

This vehicle includes the standard front, side-curtain, and driver’s knee airbags, of course, but also offers protection from a blow in the event of an accident.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

This keeps the vehicle under control during slippery surfaces or when an unexpected maneuver is made.

Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)

The locks prevent from engaging on the wheel during emergency braking.

Hill Start Assist

Saves you from rolling back when starting on an angle.

Traction Control System (TCS)

This improves traction on wet or slippery surfaces.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

It ensures that your tires are all inflated to the right levels. Safety Verdict
2013 FIAT 500

Safety Verdict

Overall, the FIAT 500 is a decently safe compact car. This compact vehicle features several airbags, stability control, and traction features. Since this is a compact car, city driving becomes reasonable with it. It has one side-impact rating, though, as well as advanced driver assistance features that include automatic emergency braking not offered as standard.

Transmission Options

The 2013 FIAT 500 comes in trims that vary with the type of transmission to be installed. When one wants a sportier ride or perhaps an even smoother and more efficient ride, FIAT 500 has it all for one.

Manual Transmission

Five-speed manual transmission is standard on most trims. The manual gearbox offers a lot of fun and a very entertaining driving experience, in good harmony with the car’s lively nature. It is also the preferred choice for enthusiasts who would like to get the maximum output from this 500’s fairly limited power output.

Automatic Transmission

In order to make the driving much easier within the city limits, FIAT provides an automobile equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission in some of the trims. Even though it is smooth and quite responsive, it gives that little less sportiness over the manual variant.

Sport Mode

A Sport Mode button is provided in the dashboard to make the throttle respond more and the steering stiffness for even more drive experience. It is also applicable to the automatics apart from the manual for changing the drive variety.
2013 FIAT 500

Performance Review

The 1.4L inline-4 engine under the hood of the 2013 FIAT 500 is not a powerhouse, but it delivers adequate performance for its size:

Horsepower: 101 hp
Torque: 98 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 10.2 seconds (manual), 11.3 seconds (automatic)
Top Speed: Approximately 115 mph

Standout Features

Exterior Styling

The 2013 FIAT 500 is a standout in an otherwise bland landscape of compact cars. Its retro-design form, with rounded edges and large headlights, looks great amidst contrasting roof colors.

Interior and Comfort

The 500’s small size does little to disguise an otherwise surprisingly roomy cabin for the driver and front passenger:

Premium Materials

Soft-touch plastics, leatherette seating at the higher levels of trim, and chrome accents add to the refinement of the interior of the vehicle.

Infotainment System

A Blue&Me hands-free system Bluetooth connects for seamless smartphone integration.

Climate Control

Available is an automatic climate control that keeps the cabin enviroment cozy.

Personalization

There are options aplenty regarding exterior colors, some interior trims, and accessories.
2013 FIAT 500

Fuel Economy

One of the main selling points of the 2013 FIAT 500 is its excellent fuel economy:

Manual Transmission: 31 mpg city / 40 mpg highway
Automatic Transmission: 27 mpg city / 34 mpg highwayAn economical choice for the driver who cares about fuel economy when driving to work.

Suspension & Handling

The 2013 FIAT 500 is equipped with:

Independent front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle. Tight turning radius and compact dimensions, making it perfect for city maneuverability. Electric power steering delivers responsive handling, while the short wheelbase allows for agile cornering.

Conclusion

The 2013 FIAT 500 is truly a feat of FIAT’s taking something classically memorable and making it functional. It strikes compact and such great fuel efficiency makes the car ideal for the urban environment. Some of the necessities such as modern safety features and spaciousness are lacking in comparison with its competitors, but the character and attitude on road make up for it all.If you are one of those city goers who prefer a rather stylish and efficient design over a large and powerful size, the FIAT 500 might perfectly suit you. Its retro design cues, choice options, and fantastic fuel economy ensure it remains a strong contender in the compact car segment. However, if you want cutting-edge safety features, more space, or higher performance, there might be other options to consider.It doesn’t matter whether you are a first-time car buyer, a city commuter, or someone looking for something quirky but with an Italian flair. The 2013 FIAT 500 still goes to make a great, affordable vehicle that is fun to drive.

FAQs

How safe is the 2013 FIAT 500?
The safety ratings of the 2013 FIAT 500 are generally average. The overall rating from NHTSA is 4 stars, but IIHS classified it only as “Marginal” in the side impact test. It features seven airbags and stability control among the standard equipment.
The MPG number is at 40 for highway miles, and the automatic comes in at around 34 MPG. It’s really good on efficiency when inside the urban environment.
This isn’t one of those speed demons, but it does deliver great drive because of the lightness of its build and how nicely it maneuvers. The 1.4L does the job well enough in terms of urban environs but feels a little weak for the highway.
The new 2013 FIAT 500 comes in a standard five-speed manual transmission while having an option for a six-speed automatic for most models.
It’s better suited for city driving with the small size and a much weaker engine compared to most cars. It might be okay for short to medium distances but start to feel cramped on rear seat passengers on longer drives.