IF you want to lease a car and spend the absolute bare minimum in the process, then right now, things don't get any cheaper than the Fiat 500. For £166 per month and a £1,491 up-front payment, you could get a 500 on a four-year lease deal.
The 500 is getting long in the tooth these days - this isn't the all-electric version, but its combustion-powered predecessor - yet its retro looks and subtle changes back in 2016, plus new mild-hybrid powertrain options in 2022, have kept the Fiat relevant even into its 17th year of production.
What you're getting for very little money is a car whose compact size is perfect for urban environments. At barely 3.6 metres long, it has held on to the appeal of the iconic 500 by being more compact than the competition on the outside, which makes it incredibly easy to drive in tight spots. It also has styling that echoes the original 500 both inside and out to give it a charm that is hard to find for twice the price.
It's not even as if you'll need to scrimp on kit. Seven airbags, a seven-inch digital driver's display and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system are standard on the Dolcevita trim linked to that £166-per-month outlay, as are part-leather seats. Under the bonnet, there's a three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol engine that gets mild-hybrid assistance to help save fuel and cut emissions.
With 69bhp, performance is adequate rather than thrilling, but attributes such as light steering and agile handling make the 500 incredibly easy to drive at low speeds. On the downside, the ride can be a touch bouncy, and there's a bit more body roll through the turns than in some rivals, but it's hard to complain for the money.
Denne historien er fra April 26, 2023-utgaven av Auto Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra April 26, 2023-utgaven av Auto Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
GR86 concept salutes Toyota rally heritage
TOYOTA has revealed a one-off concept at the 2024 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.
MINI COUNTRYMAN
Hey MINI, you're a smash hit with grown-ups and little ones alike
CITROEN C5 AIRCROSS
Hybrid technology isn't new, but it has been improved over the years, thankfully
BARGAIN HUNT
The new Dacia Duster and MC ZS are the UK's cheapest small SUVs. Which makes more sense in hybrid form?
WORLD OF VOLVO
We make a trip to Sweden to visit Volvo's new museum and experience centre in Gothenberg
Audi RS Q8
FIRST DRIVE We put updated flagship version of brand's range-topping SUV through its paces on road and track
BMW M135
FIRST DRIVE Hot hatch's facelift brings mechanical tweaks to help it keep up with refreshed competition snapping at its heels
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
FIRST DRIVE Large EV estate has the space that families and business drivers crave, but a big battery isn't always good news
Dacia Spring
FIRST UK DRIVE The UK's cheapest EV is made for life in the city, but how does it fare everywhere else? We get behind the wheel
All-new Renault Clio spotted for the first time
The 2025 supermini will be a hybrid-powered alternative to the just-launched all-electric R5