After Fiat's being out of the U.S. car market for nearly 30 years, Consumer Reports revealed the Fiat 500 to be a fun-to-drive car in its recent tests of fuel-efficient vehicles. Although it couldn't score high enough in the magazine's tests to be labeled "Recommended" because of shortcomings such as a tight rear seat and cargo area, testers found it to be a likable urban car.
An inexpensive way to get a car with better fuel economy is to buy a very small car with a tiny engine, but that often brings with it some drawbacks. The Fiat 500, a retro-styled sporty car that competes with the Mini Cooper and gets 33 mpg overall, is one example.
The tiny Fiat 500 has agile, go-kart-like handling, a rev-happy engine and a crisp-shifting manual transmission that makes it fun to drive. But slow acceleration, a choppy ride and a noisy cabin earned demerits.
CR also performed a comprehensive Auto Test Extra road test of the Chevrolet Volt after seven months and three seasons of ownership. Fuel economy varies depending on weather and driving conditions, ranging from the equivalent of 99 mpg on electric power alone to a less impressive 29 mpg overall when running only on gasoline.
The test group of fuel-efficient cars also featured the Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatchback, the diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDI, and the Honda Civic Hybrid. The upscale CT 200h received the highest overall test score in this test group. However, none of these vehicles were on par with the Toyota Prius, the most economical five-passenger car tested by CR that doesn't have to be plugged in. In CR's tests, it averaged 44 mpg overall.
None of the models tested are Recommended: The CT 200h, Jetta TDI and Volt are too new for CR to have adequate reliability information, and the Civic Hybrid and Fiat 500 scored too low in CR's testing to earn the label. CR only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests; have at least average predicted reliability based on CR's Annual Auto Survey of its more than 7 million print and online subscribers; and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.
Prices for the tested vehicles ranged from $18,600 for the Fiat 500 to $43,700 for the Chevy Volt.
• Fiat 500: The Fiat 500 is nimble and easy to park and seems like an ideal city car. But a noisy cabin, flawed driving position and jumpy ride are drawbacks. The Fiat 500 Sport ($18,600 MSRP as tested), is powered by a 101-hp, 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that provides adequate acceleration and 33 mpg overall in CR's own fuel economy tests. The five-speed manual transmission's gearing wrings out every drop of power on tap. Braking is Very Good. The tiny luggage area holds only one large suitcase, but you can fold down the rear seatbacks to expand the cargo area.
• Lexus CT 200h: A small-sized luxury car with fantastic fuel economy sounds like a great idea, but it's a dream not fully realized with the CT 200h. Despite its impressive 40 mpg overall and some luxury appointments, nothing else is special about this least-expensive Lexus. The Lexus CT 200h Premium ($32,012 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 134-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine that gets 40 mpg overall in CR's own fuel economy tests. The cargo area can hold just one suitcase and a duffel, but the split rear seatbacks fold down to make more space.
• Volkswagen Jetta: The new Jetta has a roomier backseat and a softer ride, but that's where the improvements end. Handling lacks the agility and precision of previous generations. The Volkswagen Jetta TDI ($25,100 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 140-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides adequate acceleration and 34 mpg overall. The trunk is sizable, and cargo space expands by folding down the 60/40 rear seatbacks.
• Honda Civic Hybrid: The Honda Civic Hybrid gets impressive fuel economy at 40 mpg overall, but it has gone downhill overall, with sloppy handling, a choppy ride, long stopping distances and a cheap-feeling interior. The Honda Civic Hybrid ($24,800 MSRP as tested) is powered by a 110-hp, 1.5-liter hybrid engine that accelerates adequately. Unlike in other Civics, the back seat doesn't fold, and the battery encroaches on cargo space.
• Chevrolet Volt: The Volt is an electric car for drivers who don't want to be limited by battery range. It will usually allow you to drive gas-free for 35 miles; that exact number depends on weather and driving style. The Chevrolet Volt, ($43,700 MSRP as tested), is powered by a 150-hp electric motor combined with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. Fuel economy depends on how far you drive and how often you charge the battery. On electric power before the battery was depleted, the Volt averaged 2.9 miles per kilowatt-hour for the first 35 miles. Counting overall energy used, that works out to a gas-mileage equivalent of 99 mpg. Fuel economy when running on gasoline alone is 29 mpg overall, on par with some typical gasoline-powered small sedans. The Volt has some practical shortcomings, including limited driver visibility and difficult-to-use touch sensitive controls. There are only seats for four; the battery pack takes up the space where a center rear seat would be.
First Published: February 15, 2012, 5:00 a.m.
