Fiat 500 TwinAir Cult (2022) Review

Spending time with the Fiat 500 isn't something that one begrudges. It's a fun and friendly way of getting around and when they make the price this appealing, it's hard to not want one.

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The world of automotive journalism is one that is often envied. On the surface, it seems like an automotive journalist’s day is filled with driving new cars and traversing the country to attend launches. Sadly, that’s not entirely accurate. Most of the day is spent in a dark corner, typing away furiously, researching and writing the content that you love so much. It has its perks, that much I’ll admit and the vehicles we get to drive are often the range-topping examples, laden with nearly each and every option you could possibly dream of. This is the case more often than not so when the entry-level Fiat 500 Cult arrived at my place, it made for a welcomed change from the norm.

Driving a high-end car is great, but in this day and age there’s very little to criticise; 99% of manufacturers get the general recipe right and the rest is left to subjective opinion. It’s in the entry-level offerings, where certain concessions have been made in the name of cost. Cutting back on the leather trimmings, reducing the sound deadening, fitting smaller wheels and tyres, all of these help save costs and have the potential to introduce faults and flaws in the product. In the case of the Fiat 500 TwinAir Cult these omissions may have just made it better than its more expensive peers.

Styling 

The little Fiat 500 gets labelled a ‘girls car’ far too often. Sure, I can hear what is being said about its diminutive stature and bright colouring, a style that is softer and more rounded than the hard edges one will get on a GTI, but in this day and age, one would think that all belief in stereotypes would be suspended in the name of practicality and functionality. I certainly don’t mind being seen behind the wheel of a Fiat 500, even if it is in the new Cult trim-specific Arancio Sicilia Orange, like my test model.

Visually, the updates to the 500 range are minimal. The 2021 update sees a reshuffling of the model selection, rather than a full-blown facelift. It does see the introduction of this Cult model and it’s joined by the 500 Connect, Dolcevita, and Sport variants.

The Cult model does get black wing mirrors and 14-inch steel wheels with fairly acceptable hubcaps/trim covers and the lighting is on par with most of the range with LED daytime running lights and halogen headlights. Where the other models in the range are adorned with chrome strips, details and badging, I rather liked the simplistic, uncluttered approach of the Cult version.

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Space & Interior 

Small exterior proportions don’t always translate into cramped interiors. Admittedly, I’m not the lankiest individual but my slender, average-height frame has no problem whatsoever in the Fiat 500 cabin, up front at least. Sure, the rear will feel a little cramped if you’re older than 9-years old but for the short commute or trip to the club, the Fiat 500 is still rather practical. The ergonomics are a bit of a miss, and that’s one of the detractions from what is a pleasant, vibrant cabin. Both the seat and steering wheel could do with a greater range of adjustments, the steering wheel for reach and the seats for height but this is also something that fades into the background the more you drive the vehicle.

The Cult model gets a body-coloured dashboard with blue fabric seats. It seems like a strange combination at first but, as with that driving position, grows on you to the point where you learn to appreciate the change. The surfaces are predominantly plastic but that also doesn’t mean that they’re poorly made. The overall fit and finish belie the Cult model’s price tag and the perceived quality is rather admirable. If you didn’t tell someone that this is the cheapest 500, they’d probably never guess it.

Boot space is a rather conservative 185-litres but fold-down rear seats allow you to expand that to 688-litres for those instances when you have additional luggage.

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Comfort & Convenience 

When manufacturers start slashing the price of models, one of the first places they start trimming the fat is in the tech. Expensive electronic and assistance systems are often the first to go, helping keep the price down. Many entry-level vehicles have a bare-bones feel to them. The Cult, only partially so. One area where the price-slashing machete hit the mark was with the infotainment system. A key selling point these days, the 500 Cult is devoid of a fancy touchscreen unit which means that you’re not going to be getting Android Auto or your beloved Apple CarPlay. Instead, you get a 5-inch radio with DAB, USB input and Bluetooth connectivity – making this the Achilles Heel of the pocket-friendly Cult model.

You will still get air conditioning although it is of the manual control kind and a speed limiter is included but cruise control is not. There are electric windows and mirrors as well as a multi-function steering wheel. A comprehensive driver information display rests inside the large, circular gauge cluster and you will even get an Eco mode to help you save fuel.

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Performance 

If you’re familiar with the Fiat 500, the powertrain will not surprise you. If you’re not, you may find it laughable. However, before you rupture your spleen in fits of laughter, let me assure you that the mill under the bonnet of the TwinAir Cult is more than up to the task of getting you around and somehow managing to make you smile in the process. You see, the compact little FIat 500 is powered by a two-cylinder, 865cc (yes, a 0.9-litre) petrol fed engine. Thanks to the wonders of turbocharging, the tiny little engine manages to produce no less than 62.5 kW (that 0.5 is important, don’t you know?) and 145 Nm which means that getting the lightweight 930 kg frame going is a doddle. In fact, the Fiat 500 TwinAir is rather nippy! It will see 100 km/h from a standstill in 11-seconds and while it may not sound quick, that’s more than enough to keep with, and even pass, most traffic.

The Cult model is fitted with a manual gearbox but it’s a slick-shifting 5-speed affair that’s very easy to use and one soon even forgets that it has an extra pedal. 

Fuel Economy 

Getting a decent fuel consumption figure from the Fiat 500 Cult is rather difficult. It’s not because it’s not capable of it, it’s just that it’s so much fun to drive that you end up driving it rather enthusiastically all the time. The small proportions and placement of the wheels in each corner gives the 500 great road manners and invokes a go-kart-like sensation. So you end up hammering the port thing everywhere. If you are able to control yourself, Fiat says that you can get figures as low as 4 l/100km and while I wasn’t able to get anywhere near there, my 6.3 l/100km with spirited driving is still more than acceptable.

Safety 

I mentioned how tech is one of the first things dropped when manufacturers prioritise price. Often, safety is right up there with its head on the same chopping block. Not with the 500 Cult. Fiat has retained the necessary safety features and in fact, overdone it if you compare the 500 to its peers. You get a complete complement of 7-airbags along with ABS and ESC. As such, even the Cult scores 3-stars on the Euro NCAP crash test program.

Price 

The real kicker in all of this is that the Fiat 500 Cult costs only R223 900. That’s giving you a lot of new car for not a lot of money. Factoring in the frugality and safety of the model, it’s rather easy to forgive its few shortcomings. The updated 500 range tops out just shy of R340 000 but at R223 900, you’ll be hard-pressed to find similar value in another brand.

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Competitors 

If you have Fiat 500 Cult money, then your radar will be picking up the likes of the Suzuki Swift, Hyundai i20, Toyota Agya, KIA Picanto and even the ubiquitous Volkswagen Polo Vivo. These are all acceptable offerings but there’s just a special Italian flair in the Fiat 500 that it’s hard to ignore. Sensible money says Polo, interesting money will always go with the 500.

Verdict 

I was sad to see the 500 Cult leave, I thoroughly enjoyed driving it and I found reasons to go out and explore. It would take the long way home and venture down roads that I hadn’t taken before. Even after a rough day, the little 500 had the ability to make me smile; it truly is an enjoyable drive. Being able to flat-foot it in almost all scenarios is a hoot and parking lots become so much easier to navigate. With the ever-increasing size of vehicles, it’s refreshing to drive a vehicle that is small, compact and easy to park. Factor in the wonderful safety and affordable price, and you have a winner on your hands that doesn’t feel like a student-digs compromise – the 500 Cult embraces the heritage of the original every step of the way.

Keyword: Fiat 500 TwinAir Cult (2022) Review