If you’re looking for a small, stylish, and affordable city car, two models have dominated the landscape for over a decade: the Fiat 500 and the Volkswagen Up. They take different approaches to the same problem. The Fiat is all about retro charm and Italian flair, a fashion statement on wheels that harks back to the 1950s original.
The Volkswagen, on the other hand, is a masterclass in clever packaging and engineering. It prioritises space, practicality, and a grown-up driving experience, all squeezed into a tiny footprint. One is a purchase made with the heart, the other with the head. So, which of these city car champions is the right one for you?
Fiat 500 vs Volkswagen Up
- Practicality
- Driving Impressions
- Technology and Equipment
- Running Costs
- CarGurus Buyer Insights
- Verdict
Practicality
Fiat 500 practicality score: 2/5
Volkswagen Up practicality score: 4/5
This is where the two cars show their different priorities. The Fiat 500 is a classic case of style over substance. It’s strictly a three-door, and while the front seats are fine, the rear seats are best reserved for children or short trips. The boot is also tiny at just 185 litres, so a big weekly shop is out of the question. It’s a car for individuals or couples, not for families.
The Volkswagen Up is the clear winner here. Its boxy shape maximises interior space, and it’s available with five doors, which makes getting into the back much easier. The rear seats are usable for adults, and the 251-litre boot is one of the biggest in its class. It’s a genuinely practical small car that can handle more of what daily life throws at it.
Driving Impressions
Fiat 500 driving score: 3/5
Volkswagen Up driving score: 4/5
The Fiat 500 is at its best zipping through tight city streets. Its light steering and compact dimensions make it easy to park and manoeuvre. However, the driving position can feel a bit perched, and the ride is quite firm, meaning you feel a lot of bumps on less-than-perfect roads. It’s fun for short hops but can be tiring on a long journey.
The Up feels like a much more mature car to drive. The suspension does a better job of soaking up bumps, making it more comfortable than the Fiat. It feels stable and secure at motorway speeds in a way many city cars don’t. While it's still easy to drive in town, this added composure and refinement give it a big advantage over the 500, making it a more capable all-rounder.
Technology and Equipment
Fiat 500 technology and equipment score: 3/5
Volkswagen Up technology and equipment score: 3/5
For much of their lives, both cars took a fairly basic approach to technology. The Fiat 500’s retro dashboard, with its body-coloured panel, is a key part of its appeal. Early cars made do with a simple radio/CD player, but a 2015 facelift introduced the much-improved Uconnect touchscreen system on higher-spec models, bringing it more up to date.
Volkswagen’s solution for the Up was a bit different. Instead of a built-in screen, most models came with a cradle on top of the dashboard to hold your smartphone. Using a dedicated app, your phone became the infotainment system, controlling navigation and music. It was a clever, cost-effective idea, but it feels dated now. Neither car is a tech powerhouse, so it’s a score-draw in this category.
Running Costs
Fiat 500 running costs score: 3/5
Volkswagen Up running costs score: 5/5
Low running costs are a key reason for buying a city car, and the Volkswagen Up is one of the best in the business. Its simple 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engines are efficient and reliable. They deliver good real-world fuel economy, and the Up also sits in low insurance groups, making it an ideal choice for new drivers.
The Fiat 500 is also cheap to run, but it’s not quite as frugal as the VW. The much-hyped 0.9-litre two-cylinder TwinAir engine promised great economy but often fails to deliver it in real-world driving unless you are extremely gentle with the throttle. The more conventional 1.2-litre petrol is a safer bet for consistent economy. Overall, the Up’s simple, effective engineering makes it the cheaper car to live with day-to-day.
CarGurus Buyer Insights
| Fiat 500 Review (2008-2020) | Volkswagen Up Review (2012-2023) | |
|---|---|---|
| CarGurus expert rating | 3 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| CarGurus user rating | 4.8 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 |
| Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus* | 38.9% | 36.5% |
| Overall CarGurus rating | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 |
The Verdict
Fiat 500 Overall CarGurus rating: 4.2/5
Volkswagen Up Overall CarGurus rating: 4.3/5
This is an incredibly close contest between two city car favourites, but based on our Overall CarGurus rating, the Volkswagen Up takes a narrow victory. While the Fiat 500 scores higher with our users – a testament to its enduring charm and style – the Up’s superior expert rating gives it the edge.
The Up wins because it’s a more complete and rational package. It’s more practical, more comfortable, better to drive, and cheaper to run. It brings a level of engineering integrity and grown-up refinement to the city car class that is hard to argue with.
That said, buying a car isn’t always a rational decision. The Fiat 500’s appeal is emotional. Its retro looks and cheeky character have won it a legion of fans, and if you’ve fallen for its charm, nothing else will do. For those who prioritise style above all else, the 500 is the winner. For everyone else, the Volkswagen Up is the smarter buy.
Fiat 500 Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Iconic retro styling | Cramped rear seats |
| Fun to drive in the city | Tiny boot |
| Huge scope for personalisation | Bouncy ride on poor surfaces |
Volkswagen Up Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Surprisingly practical interior | Plain styling |
| Low running costs | Basic infotainment on many models |
| Feels like a bigger car to drive | Not as charming as the Fiat |
*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from January 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.