Introduction to the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
Few cars are more symbolic of Italian life than the Fiat 500, or cinquecento if you're feeling local. Over 70 years, Fiat has produced more than seven million of them across three definitive model generations. The current version, first launched in 2020, was designed as a pure electric car called the 500e, though the outgoing generation was sold alongside with petrol power until production ended in 2024.
That left a hole in Fiat's range, as there simply wasn't enough demand for a pure-electric 500. So work quickly began on reengineering the 500 to accommodate an internal-combustion engine. Fiat admits that not doing so from the outset was a mistake, and buyers can now have go for the Fiat 500 Hybrid if that better suits their needs.
Pros & cons of the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
Pros:
• Looks superb
• Good infotainment
• Compact size
Cons:
• Barely a hybrid...
• Token rear seats
• Manual-only gearbox
Exterior & design of the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
• Stylish design
• Convertible roof option
• Bright colours available
The 500's design has always been a huge part of its appeal. There are several other city cars that are of comparable size and practicality, but they don't possess the same charm and pure kerbside appeal as the 500.
Visually, the 500 Hybrid is virtually identical to the battery-powered 500e, save for some minor front-end differences, including a new grille just below the 500's "moustache". This small opening is enough to feed the small petrol engine with the necessary airflow.
It's worth mentioning some of the attractive design touches that the 500 possesses, such as how the daytime running lights are integrated into the bonnet, while the transparent side indicators jut out from the wing and bonnet's shut line.
The overall silhouette of the 500 has changed little since its ancestor's debut, but the 500e and 500 Hybrid adopt some modern touches, such as flush door handles you reach into to open the doors.
An optional cabriolet roof is available. It slides back along the roofline, but the car retains its hard C-pillars.
Rather than requiring any new metalwork, the 500 Hybrid utilises the same flap for its fuel tank as the 500e uses for the charge port, located on the driver's side in our right-hand-drive market.
As standard, the car sits on 16-inch wheels, with 17-inch rims available depending on the specification grade.
Dimensions of the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
Length: 3,631mm
Width: 1,684mm
Height: 1,532mm
Wheelbase: 2,322mm
Paint colours for the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
A total of seven exterior colours is available for the Fiat 500 Hybrid. The three solid colours are Ice White, Onyx Black and Passione Red, while the four metallic hues are called Celestial Blue, Ocean Green, Rose Gold and Sun of Italy Yellow.
Interior, practicality, tech & comfort of the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
• Decent touchscreen
• Small boot
• Limited access and rear legroom
There's a simplicity to the First 500's cabin that adds to its charm, but it remains a thoroughly modern affair.
A two-spoke steering wheel features two banks of buttons finished in glossy black and raised sections to make it easier to use without taking your eyes off the road.
A round instrument binnacle is a throwback to the past, housing a seven-inch fully digital display that presents the most relevant information simply and elegantly.
The dashboard fascia is painted to match the exterior bodywork and, if you've opted for one of the more vibrant colours, it lifts the interior for sure.
Below this painted section are the air vents, which appear to be formed into a single piece. A bank of proper buttons below the touchscreen controls the cabin temperature and other essential functions and further down is an optional wireless charging tray that neatly features an embossed Turin skyline.
While there's a strip of button controls for the automatic transmission at the base of the 500e's dashboard, the 500 Hybrid uses a six-speed manual gearbox, so a new installation for this was created in this place.
It's similar to how the previous 500's manual gear shifter was positioned, but it does mean there's slightly less open room between the front seats. Fiat's designers also repositioned the centre console to help accommodate everything.
Getting comfortable in the driver's seat
Despite the Fiat's city car remit, the driver's seat and front passenger seat are quite large and accommodating.
The front-seat bases are wide and long enough to provide decent thigh support, and there's a reasonably good amount of adjustability, while the steering wheel can be moved for reach and rake.
Infotainment and technology
The Fiat 500 does a decent job of integrating its technology without sacrificing the interior's charming design. A single, round binnacle in front of the driver houses a seven-inch TFT display that sticks with a traditional-looking tachometer with the speed set in the centre.
A centrally placed 10.25-inch touchscreen houses Fiat's native infotainment system. It's relatively straightforward to use, but if you'd rather use your own phone, then Android Auto and Apple CarPlay mirroring is available, too.
You can charge your device via a USB-A port on the dashboard or with the optional wireless charging pad.
Two USB-C ports and a 12-volt power socket are located in the centre console between the front seats as well.
Practicality around the cabin
Don't expect a massive amount of storage space around the 500's interior; this is a city car after all. Still, there are enough places to stow smaller oddments, especially in the area between the front seats.
There is a cupholder at the rear of this console, but it's set back between the front seats and is a little awkward to reach. The front door bins are deep enough to fit small drinks bottles, though.
Rear-seat passenger space
Passenger space is quite limited in the 500, partly because of its three-door body style, which means accessing the rear seats requires contorting oneself around the tilted front seats.
Some markets offer an extra half-rear door that increases the aperture on the right side, but this body option isn't offered in Ireland.
Thankfully, there are only two seats in the back, but you'll need to ask your fellow passengers in the front to slide their seats forward if you want any legroom at all.
Fitting child seats to the Fiat 500 Hybrid
Fiat equips the 500 Hybrid with three ISOFIX points, but the one in the front passenger seat is the most practical thanks to its easy access. Both rear seats are fitted with the ISOFIX mounting points, but accessing the rear seats from a parent's perspective, even with the front seats tilted forward, isn't very easy.
Boot space in the Fiat 500 Hybrid
Boot space was never exactly massive in the little Fiat, but the 500 Hybrid still manages to accommodate 183 litres, and that's before you fold the two rear seats forwards; do so, and the total volume increases to a useful 440 litres.
Safety in the Fiat 500 Hybrid
Along with a hybrid system, the 2026 Fiat 500 also adopts the latest 'GSR2' safety standards, now mandated in European markets.
These include audible warnings for breaching posted speed limits and driver attention monitoring. Other safety systems include front and side airbags, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and a lane assist system.
Despite the introduction of a new engine and powertrain, the Fiat 500 retains its Euro NCAP crash safety rating. You can read the full report here.
Performance of the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
• Basic 12-volt mild-hybrid
• Manual-only gearbox
• Struggles at higher speeds
Fiat was somewhat limited by the engine it could fit into the 500 Hybrid, given the compact space under the bonnet. The 1.0-litre three-cylinder 'Firefly' engine was made to fit, and the naturally aspirated unit produces maximums of 65hp and 92Nm. That is paired with a six-speed manual transmission that drives the front wheels.
The mild-hybrid aspect is minimal, with a second 12-volt battery powering a starter generator that provides smoother stop-start functionality. The 500 Hybrid cannot be driven on electric power; the combustion engine always powers it.
Driving the Fiat 500 Hybrid on the road in Turin - Dave Humphreys
Fiat's marketing people are being optimistic - to the point of almost being disingenuous - in using the 'Hybrid' badge on the back of the 500.
It is, at best, a mild-hybrid, and even then, by industry standards where 48-volt systems are becoming the norm, the Fiat lags behind.
Usually, such systems use a compact battery and an electric motor to enable prolonged periods of driving with the engine off.
In regular hybrids, the battery is larger again, and cars can often travel for more than one kilometre in electric mode, while crawling along in traffic is often done electrically.
Fiat sticks with an even more basic 12-volt system that enables the start-stop system to function with the expected smoothness of such a setup.
It is possible to instigate some engine-off driving, but this can only occur by slipping the car into neutral at lower speeds, precisely the thing that any driving instructor worth their salt with tell you not to do.
So, really, all Fiat's half-baked hybrid system is capable of is sitting at the traffic lights without the engine running.
Moving past that, the 500 Hybrid feels more spry than its acceleration figures would suggest. The three-cylinder engine has a distinctive thrum to its timbre, especially when it's put under some load.
The six-speed gearbox is geared more for efficiency than performance, though first and second are relatively short, so you will be shuffling through the gearbox when getting the 500 up to speed.
Acceleration starts to plateau as you reach 60km/h or so, and it's slow enough going from there onwards. That may not be important for those adhering rigidly to the Fiat's city car standing, but in reality, there's often a motorway journey that needs to be undertaken, and it's here that you need to work the Fiat a little harder. At least it has a sixth gear to keep the revs down.
Being lighter than its electric counterpart doesn't hurt the 500 Hybrid's ride comfort, and it feels solidly built by segment standards.
The 16-inch wheels fitted to our car were shod with a generous tyre sidewall to help soak up bumps and potholes on Turin's city streets. Its quick steering adds to the nimble feeling and, aside from a wide A-pillar, outward visibility is pretty good.
Running costs of the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
• 5.2 litres/100km officially
• Service Care Plan available
• 38-litre fuel tank
The Fiat 500 Hybrid should be a relatively cheap car to run as it's not especially heavy, so fuel consumption shouldn't be too high, and its CO2 emissions place it into an affordable motor tax band that is currently set at €190 per annum.
It's also an uncomplicated powertrain, so we would expect it to be somewhat dependable, and owners can avail of a dedicated service plan that helps spread the cost of scheduled maintenance.
Real-world efficiency of the Fiat 500 Hybrid
The official combined fuel consumption figure is 5.3 litres/100km, which, even by most proper hybrid standards, is average at best, especially for such a small car. During our time with the 500 Hybrid, it averaged 7.2 litres/100km. That was with two people in the car over what was almost entirely city driving with only light traffic.
Servicing the Fiat 500 Hybrid
Fiat generally recommends servicing the 500 at yearly intervals or every 14,500 kilometres, whichever comes first.
Fiat 500 Hybrid warranty
All new Fiat models in Ireland come with a three-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty. Owners can choose to purchase an extension of up to five years.
Irish pricing & rivals to the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
• Hybrid pricing not yet set
• Similar grades to 500e
• Cabrio will cost extra
Pricing for the Fiat 500 Hybrid hasn't been announced yet and likely won't be until closer to the car's arrival in the summer of 2026. However, it is expected to undercut the 500e on price, which currently starts at €24,995 including government grants. The 500 Hybrid is expected to follow a similar specification-grade structure to the electric version.
Verdict - should you buy the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid?
Fiat has done what it should have from the outset by offering the 500 with a petrol engine but calling it a hybrid is a stretch - even by mild-hybrid standards. Don't expect any super-frugal levels of fuel consumption here, as the hybrid system isn't really capable of delivering on it. So forget the lacklustre attempt at hybrid tech and view this as a more affordable entry point to Fiat 500 ownership. There's plenty of merit in that.
FAQs about the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid
How many people can fit in a Fiat 500?
There are only four seats in the Fiat 500e and the Fiat 500 Hybrid.
Is there a diesel option for the Fiat 500?
No, the lineup consists of the fully electric Fiat 500e or the Fiat 500 Hybrid, which is a naturally aspirated petrol mild-hybrid.
Want to know more about the 2026 Fiat 500 Hybrid?
If there's anything about the Fiat 500 Hybrid we've not covered, or you'd like help in choosing between it and other cars, you can avail of our expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
