Graham Whyte tests this popular car.

Known in Fiat circles at the time as the Zero A the diminutive Fiat 500, launched in 1936 included in its design brief the dictum that it must sell for 12 lire per kilogram - about a farthing an ounce if you remember real money.
Ever popular the diminutive Topolino lived a surprisingly long life considering it was not much more than a motorised go-kart but with less performance. Living out its days until the demise of the 126, the car retains a worldwide cult following as a quick glance at the Fiat 500 Web page will confirm.
Almost 50 years on and Fiat did it again with the launch of the Tardis-like Cinquecento although, with its 900 cc engine, it is strictly speaking a novecento. In place of the noisy rear engine of doubtful ability the Cinquecento SX (as tested) boasts a 41 bhp, 4-cylinder fuel-injected engine that powers this diminutive car to 83 mph with about as much fuss as a sewing machine motor.
'It's not how big it is but it's what you do with it that counts' could be the anthem of this urban people-mover and with a remarkable 58% of the car's volume available for passengers and parcels it's easy to believe Fiat's claim that the Cinquecento was designed 'from the inside out'. It will carry four adults in adequate comfort although my 6'2" son felt a lot more comfortable in the front.
I took a paper bag on a motorway journey in case I was recognised but never got to wear it as the performance was a long way short of embarrassing. OK, if you want to mix it the 55 bhp 'Sporting' is a better bet but is it really that sort of car? I would say not. Trying to compare the Cinquecento with other cars, except perhaps the Mini, is hardly objective. One of the original design briefs for the Citroen 2CV was that it should be 'a car with four seats and an umbrella' and in such basic terms the little Fiat fulfills an equivalent role but with a great deal more sophistication
All the models have an equipment package that would have been labeled 'Vandem Plas' not so long ago and the SX and Sporting have some extra cosmetic goodies that increase the feelgood factor. What you don't get is ABS, driver's airbag (except as an extra) or side impact protection - but what do you expect for a £6273 base price? Apart from the Kia Pride everything else that's cheaper has the word Lada in front. Even the SX at £6731 has only the Suzuki Swift to add to the list of cheaper cars.
Offering a theoretical 42.8 mpg urban fuel consumption, the Cinquecento SX is almost as cheap to use in London as a 7-day Travelcard and with running costs estimated at 20p per mile and insurance group 2, the whole life costs add up to a really sensible package. If I were a single person, living and working in a large city I would seriously consider the Sporting version although the fact that you can get two into one parking meter bay doesn't attract a discount.

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