Fiat 500 Hybrid Makes the Nissan Kicks Look Like a Rocket

Returning With a Bright Coat of Paint and a Big Caveat
The Fiat 500 Hybrid is officially back in the brand’s lineup, and production has already started at the Mirafiori plant in Turin. Offered in Hatchback, 3+1, and Cabrio body styles, it arrives in Pop, Icon, and La Prima trims, plus the Torino launch edition that nods to the model’s birthplace.

Visually, the new 500 Hybrid will have no trouble turning heads. The bright yellow exterior option does most of the work, but even the subtler colors keep the classic 500 shape fresh.

On paper, though, something else stands out. The Fiat 500 Hybrid is slow. Even by city-car standards, the numbers lean heavily toward the leisurely side. After going through the technical sheet, the Hybrid’s acceleration figures land well behind the slowest cars currently sold in the US – not the most prestigious group to be in.

A 0-62 mph Time That Leaves the Nissan Kicks in the Dust… Ahead of It
Fiat lists a 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) time of 16.2 seconds for most trims, while the Cabrio versions stretch to 17.3 seconds. Compared with the slowest brand-new cars available in America – models like the Nissan Kicks, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, and Buick Envista – the Fiat still trails. The Kicks Hybrid, for example, can sprint to 60 mph in 10.4 seconds, which sounds like a rocket compared to what the 500 Hybrid can conjure on a good day.

To be fair, the Fiat 500 has never claimed to be quick. The Hybrid sticks to tradition with about 64 horsepower and 67.8 lb-ft of torque, a modest output that should keep expectations grounded.

But here’s the interesting twist: the 500 Hybrid comes with a manual transmission. In 2025, that’s becoming a rare sight, especially in a mainstream car. For drivers who still enjoy rowing their own gears, it’s a refreshing nod to old-school motoring. Unfortunately, even the charm of a manual shifter can’t disguise the Hybrid’s relaxed pace.

MPG Looks Good… But Temper Expectations
Fuel economy looks strong on paper, with WLTP consumption converting to roughly 43-46 mpg in US terms. Still, WLTP tends to be forgiving, and any EPA-rated version would almost certainly come in lower.

Fiat has not confirmed whether the 500 Hybrid is destined for the United States. If it does eventually arrive, anyone considering one should set expectations properly. The 500 Hybrid offers charm, heritage, and a manual gearbox. What it doesn’t offer is speed, so buyers will need to weigh personality and efficiency over outright performance.