2012 Fiat 500 Lounge Review

The iconic, Italian car adds variety to the subcompact class - and it's cool enough for JLo. We review the 2012 Fiat 500 Lounge.

Originally published January 2012.

If the 2012 Fiat 500 is cool enough for JLo, it’s cool enough for you, right? Unless, of course, you jump into the Fiat, swing by to grab your buddy, nestle both your golf bags in the back (with rear seats fully folded down), windows all down, sunroof wide open, blasting Marc Anthony’s I Need To Know (kidding), roll up to the clubhouse bag drop-off lane, to be “greeted” by a bunch of dudes.

In which case, not so cool. But all machismo aside, the new Fiat 500 is all about personal expression and individuality. And in today’s society where making a statement is both easy and evidently necessary, the mousey little 2012 Fiat 500 will no doubt fit in…amongst the right crowd, of course.

2012 Fiat 500 Lounge Review
2012 Fiat 500 Lounge – fits golf bags. Photo: Amee Reehal

Over 50 years ago, the first Fiat ‘Nuova’ 500 was introduced in Italy, following the Second World War, offering the less wealthy a reliable, efficient car with a bit of flair and style; contributing to the post-war economic recovery. As Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America, states, “The Fiat 500 has always been the right car at the right time…the new Fiat 500 brings something truly unique to a fast-growing segment in America, delivery Italian-by-design function, value, and efficiency intelligently tailored for our market.”

With regards to the ‘right car at the right time’ statement, I find the timing of the Fiat 500 reintroduction interesting–the parallels between the road to economic recovery during the post-World War era compared to today’s high unemployment and economic ‘slowdown,’ aka The Great Recession. Though I’m not sure the impact of this A-segment Fiat introduction will be the same as it was then, a car for the people as it were, the timing is certainly a good one. Oh, and that the small car segment is growing in North America.

But this is a car review, not a thesis. Sorry.

Since its initial launch in 2007, more than a million Fiat 500s have been sold. And now, making its way to North America…with JLo…dancing her ass off…on the hood. Hey, I don’t judge. It’s all good. If I could shake my ass like that, I’d dance on cars all day. In high heels. Seriously.

2012 Fiat 500 Trims Available

2012 Fiat 500 Lounge Review
2012 Fiat 500 Lounge. Photo: Amee Reehal

United States:

  1. Fiat 500 Pop
  2. Fiat 500 Sport
  3. Fiat 500 Lounge
  4. Fiat 500 Abarth

Canada:

  1. Fiat 500 Pop
  2. Fiat 500 Sport
  3. Fiat 500 Lounge
  4. Fiat 500c (Convertible)
  5. Fiat 500 Abarth

The 2012 Fiat 500 Lounge you see here came with the following upgrades:

  • 6-speed Aisin Auto Transmission, $1300 CAD
  • Power Sunroof, $500 CAD
  • Heated Front Seats, $300 CAD
  • Compact Spare Tire, $200 CAD
  • 15-inch x 6-inch Aluminum Wheels
  • Rear Park Assist, $100 CAD

Some of the notable standard features found in the Fiat 500 LOUNGE include Hill Start Assist, remote keyless entry, power locks & windows, A/C, a large glass roof, fog lamps, chrome power heated mirrors, bodyside mouldings with 500 logos, chrome exhaust tip, driver height adjuster seat (but not on passenger side…if you’re near 6-ft tall, forget it), and chrome shift knob, to name a few. Standard safety includes airbags all around, front seat active head restraints, 4-wheel ABS, and electronic stability control.

Fiat 500 Lounge Performance and Specs

2012 Fiat 500 Lounge in silver front grill and lights parked downtown
2012 Fiat 500 Lounge. Photo: Amee Reehal
  • Engine Type: 1.4-liter MultiAir 4-cylinder
  • Horsepower: 101 horsepower
  • Torque: 98 lb-ft of torque
  • Standard Transmission: 5-speed manual
  • Optional Transmission: 6-speed automatic
  • Fuel Economy (Manual Transmission):
  • City: Approximately 30-31 mpg
  • Highway: Approximately 38-40 mpg
  • Fuel Economy (Automatic Transmission):
  • City: Approximately 27-29 mpg
  • Highway: Approximately 34-38 mpg

The all-new 1.4-litre Fiat MulitAir engine delivers up to 38 mpg highway and a best-in-class 30 mpg city (manual transmission). My Fiat 500 came with a console-mounted ‘Sport’ button; when activated, the rpm certainly revved higher, but I felt no power gain; no increased torque or tightened suspension, or anything you’d expect from a Sport mode.

For a bit more power, check out our 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth review which makes 135 horsepower.

Handling in the 500 LOUNGE was not tight nor provided a fun, spirited drive…nothing wrong with this, just don’t expect the drivability of a MINI, for example. The Fiat 500 is more of a ‘hey girls, let’s go cruising!’ type of car, and less ‘yo dude, let’s go cruising’ type of car. Make sense?

2012 Fiat 500 Lounge Review
2012 Fiat 500 Lounge. Photo: Amee Reehal

Overall, the 2012 Fiat 500 is a cheeky little thing with a timeless, minimalistic design. Reminiscent of the original Fiat Cinquecento, the new Fiat 500 caters to a new generation yearning to make a statement, seeking to change the rules of transportation…whether you’re hauling golf clubs or dancing in the streets.

Pros:

  • Iconic, Italian car adds variety to the subcompact class
  • The $15,995 entry price point is affordable
  • Endorsed by JLo

Cons:

  • Nibble looks don’t equate to nibble, tight handling
  • Sport button has little to no effect
  • Endorsed by JLo

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Author:
Amee Reehal
Amee Reehalhttps://www.ameereehal.com/
Shooting cars and bikes professionally since film was a thing, for over 20 years, Amee has collaborated with the major automakers and agencies, and his work has been published in various global outlets including MotorTrend, GlobeDrive, SuperStreet, Chicago Tribune, PerformanceBMW, and others. He’s an automotive writer and founder/managing editor of TractionLife.com, focusing on digital marketing & SEO for the past ten years (backed by a marketing degree, go figure). Find him travelling, spending time with his kids and family. Or golfing, poorly.