Against 520 other 4-cyl cars rated 2017–2019, the 500 beats their 27.3 mpg average by 2.7 mpg, about $127 a year.
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
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Mini Cooper Convertible gets 31.3 mpg, next to 30 mpg for the 2019 500. The 500 costs the most of them to run: $53 a year more than the Mini Cooper Convertible.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2019) | $0.107 |
| Fuel per year | $1,280 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,400 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2017–2019 | −$127 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,356 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2019 Fiat 500 gives up 5 mpg in town: 33 on the highway against 28 in the city, $207 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2019) | 28 mpg | $1,371 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33 mpg | $1,164 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5 mpg (18%) | 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. The biggest single-year change came in 2018: 34 to 30 mpg.
| 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 2019 Fiat 500 get?
30 mpg combined, 28 city and 33 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2012 the 500 has averaged 32.6 mpg.
Is the 2019 500 more efficient than the 2018?
About the same: 30 against 30 mpg combined.
Which 500 year has the best gas mileage?
The 2017, at 34 mpg combined (31 city, 38 highway).
Does the 500 get better gas mileage than the Mini Cooper Convertible?
No: 30 mpg for the 2019 500 against 31.3 for the 2020 Mini Cooper Convertible, about $53 a year more to run.
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