The Fiat 500 does 68.6 mpg combined (71.1 city, 66.4 highway), which works out to about $560 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 114.4 mpg while 1.3L 4-cyl does 26 — a difference of $1,141 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Fiat 500 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 123.1 / 104.8 | 2013–2026 | $336 | |
| 1.4L 4-cyl | 29.8 / 36.6 | 2012–2019 | $1,178 | |
| 1.3L 4-cyl | 24 / 30 | 2020–2023 | $1,477 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.047 |
| Fuel per year | $560 |
| Fuel over five years | $2,800 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$952 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,589 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 71.1 mpg | $540 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 66.4 mpg | $578 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-4.7 mpg (-7%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the 500 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 127 / 104 | 1 | $331 | |
| 2025 | 127 / 104 | 1 | $331 | |
| 2024 | 127 / 104 | 1 | $331 | |
| 2023 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2022 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2020 | 24 / 30 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2019 | 74.5 / 68 | 2 | $541 | |
| 2018 | 74.5 / 68 | 2 | $541 | |
| 2017 | 76 / 70.5 | 2 | $526 | |
| 2016 | 76 / 70.5 | 2 | $526 | |
| 2015 | 76 / 73 | 2 | $512 | |
| 2014 | 76 / 73 | 2 | $515 | |
| 2013 | 76 / 73 | 2 | $512 | |
| 2012 | 30 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Fiat 500 get?
68.6 mpg combined on average — 71.1 in the city and 66.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2012–2026.
How much does a Fiat 500 cost in fuel per year?
About $560 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $2,800 over five years, or 0.047 dollars a mile.
Which 500 engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 114.4 mpg, against 26 for the 1.3L 4-cyl — a difference of about $1,141 a year.
Is the 500 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.