Fiat 600 Hybrid Review - Playing the numbers game
Arithmetic has always been a strong point of mine. It’s pretty handy when I’m at the pub with a load of mates and can instantly tell everyone how much they owe when we get the bill. I bet Fiat dealers are good with numbers too. They used to have the 124, 126, 127, X1/9, and 1100…the list was endless.
But the number which is the daddy of them all is 500. We’ve now got the 500e, 500X and 500 Collezione 1957. The 500L is no longer with us.
The 500 is a wonderful city car and is instantly recognisable. But what if you fancied something a bit larger?
Not a problem, just go for the Fiat 600 compact SUV.
Slumping EV sales
As with the little 500, you can get a fully electric version of the 600, but a battery powered car is still something which isn’t feasible or desirable for a lot of people. No surprise therefore that Fiat has also gone down the hybrid route which is the one you see here. The suspicion is that if electric car sales hadn’t slumped as much as they have in recent years, we wouldn’t be seeing the hybrid. Fiat and the rest of the Stellantis brands, are hedging their bets.
You’ve even got a choice of hybrids. At the moment the only hybrid model has a 99bhp powerplant, but order books are now open for a bigger 134bhp version. Both use a 6-speed auto ‘box and deliveries of the 134bhp car will start later in the autumn.
Fiat is trying to keep things simple when it comes to trims with both hybrid models featuring just two trims - the standard 600 Hybrid and the premium 600 Hybrid La Prima. It’s a case of simply choosing power, trim and colour. Sorted.
Prices start at £23,975 (Sept ’24) with the 134bhp model only costing an additional grand. If you are going to spend most of your time in cities, then you may want to look at the battery powered version, but you’ll need to find £32,995, so make sure you do your sums.
The hybrid powertrain
The hybrid is a great halfway house because it can be driven in an EV mode thanks to a small self-charging battery. You can only get up to around 18mph but for city dwellers, that may be sufficient. Once you head out onto the quicker stuff, the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine joins the party.
The 99bhp 600 reaches 60mph in just under 11 seconds, but the more powerful model slims that down to 8.5 seconds. The maximum speed also climbs from 114mph to 124mph. I think the more powerful version is worth the additional outlay and the economy is in the region of 57mpg.
Out on the road, 99bhp doesn’t sound very punchy, but the Fiat 600 feels lively enough and easily keeps pace with motorway traffic. It also sounds rather good when you unleash the horses. The ride is nicely controlled with everything erring on the side of comfort.
Interior & Technology
The interior is standard Stellantis range stuff. If you’ve currently got a Jeep Avenger and would like to try the Fiat 600, you’ll feel at home because the switchgear, central touchscreen etc are identical. It’s also good to note that this latest Stellantis product is an example of manufacturers rowing back on their techy fascias and realising that it’s easier (and safer) to just prod a physical button rather than having to fiddle with a series of sub-menus on a screen. Hurrah!
In terms of kit, the entry-level model is nicely equipped with a 7-inch instrument cluster for the driver and a 10-inch touchscreen. You get air-con, rear parking sensors, LED headlights and heated front seats. A lot of people will be going for the Fiat 600 because of its affordable price and those same people are likely to be happy with the level of equipment.
Move up to La Prima trim and you’ll add 18-inch alloys, good-looking Eco-Leather seats, driver seat massage, wireless phone charging, rear view camera, front and side parking sensors and rear privacy glass. LA Prima adds three grand to the price but it’s probably worth it because it makes the 600 feel a bit more luxurious.
It’s also surprisingly roomy. Okay, you wouldn’t want a couple of prop forwards in the rear seats, but children and most adults will be fine.
Giving buyers an option
As I mentioned earlier, this is probably a car we weren’t supposed to have in the UK, but battery powered sales have stalled which means Fiat has wanted to give buyers an option.
And it’s a good option too. A starting price of under £24k, decent economy, acceptable performance, cushy ride and all of the essential interior and safety kit, means the Fiat 600 Hybrid is a very welcome addition to the motoring landscape in this country. It’ll do well.
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Fiat
