First Drive: Fiat 500 Popstar

We drove the latest addition in the face-lifted 500 lineup, the Fiat 500 Popstar.

Reviewing the Fiat 500 Popstar was something I was hyped about, I used to own a 500 Abarth and was looking forward to reminiscing. Fear was something I also felt; could I still be objective towards the 80 PS 2-cylinder after driving a 170 PS 4-cylinder version?But before I start, I'll run you through the mandatory factual spam.

500 Popstar

The Popstar is a new equipment-level available in the 500 lineup. Offering a level between the base and most equipped version. A manual control air conditioning, infotainment and 15 inch rims are included. The 500 Popstar I drove was powered by the Turbo Twinair engine which pushes out 80 horsepower. Power that is channelled to the front wheels via an automated manual transmission. On the outside the latest 500 wears new bumpers, new LED daytime lights and new cheeky rear lights.

The drive is very straightforward in the Fiat 500, it takes very little effort to navigate its small body through small spaces or traffic for that matter. That small size translates nicely into the way the car makes you feel, like a playful puppy. A clumsy one when it comes to cornering and shifting that is. Shifting is something that gets frustrating when you want to drive a little more on edge, the transmission is that slow that is kills any speed you try to build up quicker than regularly. Same goes for the cornering, if you push it harder you'll find a disappointing amount of understeer. But like I said, I could be influenced by the way my Abarth drove.

Colors

Offering more colour schemes than ever, this 500 Popstar was painted in a nice deep red. A paint job that is clean and found its way onto to dashboard of the car. The new set of lights give the car a very modern look, one that makes you forget that this model is 8 years old. The updated interior plays a big role in the modern look, including the digital dash on option in the Lounge. The seats are sadly not adjustable height-wise in the Popstar, making me sit a little uncomfortable.

"could I still be objective towards the 80 PS 2-cylinder after driving a 170 PS 4-cylinder version?"

Summarising I'd label the 500 Popstar as a worthy and welcome addition the Fiat 500's on offer. It offers a lot of fancy car for your money in a package that offers both comfort and straightforward driving.