Fiat 500 Finally Gets The 40 MPG Brass Ring

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

A couple tweaks have finally pushed the Fiat 500 to the magical 40 MPG mark – but only on manual-equipped version.

While automatic transmission 500s stay rated at 27/34 mpg city/highway, the manual versions get a bump to 31/40 mpg, up from 30/38 mpg. According to Fiat, the new rating comes from a taller final drive ratio and some undisclosed aerodynamic tweaks.

With 40 mpg becoming the de facto “round-number-fuel-economy-rating-that-sounds-good-in-ad-copy”, it was essential that Fiat avoid the embarrassment of being 2 mpg short. Oh well, at least it’s not 40 mpg CAFE…

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Jimboy Jimboy on Sep 10, 2012

    Part of Fiat's agreement with the (U.S.) government for the sale of Chrysler to Fiat was that they provide a high mileage (40mpg) vehicle for sale in a specified time frame, which they have done.

  • Tjh8402 Tjh8402 on Sep 10, 2012

    My parents economy with their AT 500 has been better than the EPA's earnings and they aren't real hypermilers. at least 30 mpg in the city and averaging around 36-37 on the highway (even going through mountains). As I recall, the reports on Truedelta showed most people getting in the upper 30's even with city driving, high speed on the highway, mountains, etc.

  • Littlecarrot Littlecarrot on Sep 10, 2012

    Would someone explain to me why my 550 lb Kawasaki 900 only gets about 45 mpg?

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    • Zombo Zombo on Sep 10, 2012

      @Brian P Not always true since my 09 650 Suzuki V Strom gets 55mpg no matter how I ride it - over 60 mpg when cruising lightly at low rpms with my Harley riding friends . And Honda has a new mid size bike the NC700X that gets 65 mpg with some test riders getting over 70 mpg . Motorcycles in the past didn't get all that great mpg , but that is now changing .

  • Lilpoindexter Lilpoindexter on Sep 11, 2012

    My 1991 Honda Civic LX Sedan Auto got 40mpg. In 1991.

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