See “What the Numbers Mean” in The Ultimate Green Car Buyer’s Guide, 2012 for a full description of the metrics we collected for each model.

Fiat 500 (Manual Transmission)

Gasoline, Subcompact Hatchback

Price Range: $16,200 – $24,200
City/Hwy/Combined MPG: 30/38/33
Annual Fuel Cost: $2,000 (premium)
Air Pollution Score: N/A
Greenhouse Gas Score: N/A
ACEEE Green Score and Class Ranking: N/A
Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick; 3-star NHTSA rating
Space: N/A/seats 4
Drive Score: 4
Similar Used: New for 2012

Good to Know:

• With the petite 500 model, the Italian carmaker Fiat returns to the American market for the first time in 27 years.
• The manual transmission version of the 500 can deliver a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy compared with its automatic sibling.
• The 500 is marketed as a stylish, fully customizable city car. It comes in 14 different colors with many accessory options. There’s even a Gucci model, as well as a Pink Ribbon edition for breast cancer awareness.

What the Press Says:

• “The retro-styled 500 has agile handling, a willing engine and a crisp-shifting manual transmission, which all combine to make the Fiat 500 fun to drive.” — Consumer Reports
• “Though this tiny car is 6 inches shorter in length and 2 inches narrower than its chief rival, the Mini Cooper, the Fiat 500 is substantially taller (by 4 inches). That translates into better outward visibility and respectable leg- and headroom, especially for rear seat passengers.” — Edmunds.com

What Drivers Say:

• “It’s small, nimble, quick, fun and gets great gas mileage,” says Richard Golen of South Dartmouth, Mass. He especially likes the “eco-drive” program, which allows you to download data from your car’s computer to track your mpg and emissions.
• Jo Miller of New York, N.Y., could not be happier with her Fiat 500. “I bought it for the mileage and the low sticker price. Little did I know what a dream it would be to drive — peppy, responsive and quiet. I can’t even remember the last time I had to fill the tank.”

More 2012 green cars: Find details about many more green cars from other automakers in The Ultimate Green Car Buyer’s Guide, 2012.

Photo from Fiat