As a tall person (186 cm), I usually prefer larger vehicles like trucks and SUVs. So when I received a call to test drive the Gucci Fiat 500, I hesitated a bit due to its small size and its association with Gucci. However, I decided to give it a try. Let's see how it went.

Elegance

The Fiat 500 has a simple exterior design that serves its purpose. It features a front hood, a cabin, and a hatchback—that's about it. There are no distinctive lines and not much aerodynamic flair. This was Fiat's original concept for the 500, but then they handed it over to Gucci, who added their touch. All the exterior features are Gucci-designed. Initially, there's a Gucci stripe running around the car, which is a sticker rather than paint, making it easy to damage and potentially unsightly. You can also see Gucci badges on the doors and the rear trunk, not to mention the Gucci logos on the wheels. The headlights are basic, with xenon lights accompanied by smaller lights below and fog lights on the front bumper.

Attention-Grabbing

Because it's a unique car, it attracts a lot of attention. I parked it and stood back to see how many people stopped to look and how many took photos. Within two hours, 30 people paused to admire the car, 23 took photos, and 22 of those were women—perhaps to share on Instagram with the hashtag #CuteCar.

This car is aimed at a specific demographic, and a bearded man standing at 186 cm tall is likely not part of that group. This was evident from the expressions of people beside me while waiting at a red light.

Interior

Inside the Gucci vehicle, the brand makes its presence known. The seats are leather with the Gucci logo printed on both the front and rear seats. If you don't see the Gucci logo on the seats, just to make sure, they've added a Gucci stripe halfway across each seat. To further emphasize its identity as a Gucci car, the seatbelts also feature the Gucci stripe. This is what "distinguishes" the car; aside from that, the dashboard is made of black and white plastic, which diminishes the car's overall value.

Comfort

I wouldn't call this car "subcompact," as it is even smaller than a Toyota Yaris or Mazda 2. Therefore, comfort inside can be an issue for someone of my size. The legroom in the front is small, and it's virtually non-existent if you're sitting in the back behind a tall person. The seat doesn't lower enough, so you always feel elevated, though headroom is decent.

The car's size can be beneficial at times. For instance, during a traffic jam, it was small enough for me to weave through without hitting anyone. Moreover, the compact size minimizes blind spots. Driving in tight spaces is a breeze, and parking is easier than ever. Speaking of parallel parking, 80% of the time, the space between two cars is more than enough to fit the Gucci, which is fantastic.

However, highway driving can be bothersome for two reasons: the noise that seeps into the cabin when driving over 80 km/h is quite loud, and it becomes very annoying above 130 km/h. Another issue is the lack of cruise control.

Driving Performance

This small car is equipped with a 1.4-liter engine paired with a “dual-logic” transmission. This setup provides the car with 100 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 131 Newton meters of torque at 4,300 rpm. The Fiat 500's transmission was new to me, as I hadn't experienced anything like it before; the gearbox is manual, with the clutch operating automatically. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds.

The Fiat 500 is quite quirky; it maneuvers easily. Its size, combined with a low center of gravity, helps reduce the chance of tipping and enhances chassis responsiveness. Like other front-wheel-drive cars, it has some understeer, but it's significantly less than most comparable vehicles.

Fuel Economy

The Fiat 500 has a 35-liter fuel tank, which is considered small compared to other cars. It is indeed fuel-efficient, consuming 5.8 liters per 100 km on the highway and 8.3 liters per 100 km in the city.

Summary

Driving the Gucci Fiat 500 was an unusual experience. It was very enjoyable yet lacking in certain aspects. I believe this car is suited for women who desire a vehicle with a fashionable name to show off. Think of it as a Gucci shoe that you buy but never wear; you want to keep it for an important event that never actually comes.

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