The Fiat 500 does 32.6 mpg combined (29.8 city, 36.6 highway), which works out to about $1,178 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Fiat 500 engine, compared
The Fiat 500 was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl | 29.8 / 36.6 | 2012–2019 | $1,178 |
What that actually costs
The Fiat 500 burns a gallon every 32.6 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 368 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.098 |
| Fuel per year | $1,178 |
| Fuel over five years | $5,890 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$316 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,356 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Fiat 500 gives up 6.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 36.6 out there against 29.8 in town, a 23% drop worth $240 a year. 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 | 29.8 mpg | $1,289 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 36.6 mpg | $1,049 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.8 mpg (23%) | Typical for its type |
How the 500 changed over the years
The 500 peaked in 2017 at 34 mpg (31 city, 38 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2019 at 30 — 4 mpg apart, or $151 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2019 car does 30. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 28 / 33 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 33 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2017 | 31 / 38 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2016 | 31 / 38 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2015 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2014 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,164 | |
| 2013 | 30 / 38 | 1 | $1,129 | |
| 2012 | 30 / 37 | 1 | $1,200 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 8 EPA ratings of the Fiat 500 — 1 engine across 2012–2019. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,356. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Fiat 500 get?
32.6 mpg combined on average — 29.8 in the city and 36.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2012–2019.
How much does a Fiat 500 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,178 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $5,890 over five years, or 0.098 dollars a mile.
Which 500 engine is the most economical?
The 1.4L 4-cyl at 32.6 mpg.
Is the 500 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world 500 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Fiat 500 is $2,356 against the $1,178 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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