2019 Fiat 124 Spider Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?
Many people associate the name Fiat with the 500. When they hear the name, they think of small, boxy cars with a distinctive European style. The 2019 Fiat 124 Spider is certainly small, and it retains the European flair that Fiat's are known for. The difference is, it's a sleek and sporty two-seat convertible. Other Fiat's offer unique style, good fuel economy and reliable transportation. The 124 Spider gives you all of that too but in an aggressive package built for open-road fun. Even the exterior style screams: high-speed performance.
What's New for 2019?
The 2019 Fiat 124 Spider is still part of the last generation of this vehicle that was introduced in 2017. There aren't too many changes for 2019. Fiat now offers an extra exterior color called Ceramic Gray. Every trim level now comes with a 7.0 touchscreen for the infotainment system as standard equipment. Each model now includes a rear-view camera. While the camera was available last year, it's now standard for every version of the 124 Spider.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Fiat 124 Spider – The Pros
1. Sports Car Performance
All versions of the 124 Spider come equipped with the same engine. This power plant is a 1.4-liter, turbocharged, 4-cylinder. It produces 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Abarth trim gets you slightly more power with 164 horsepower. This is a light car and with that much horsepower and torque, you get very quick acceleration. It can get you up to 60 miles-per-hour in just around 7 seconds. It has a quarter-mile time of around 14.8 seconds.
2. Nimble Handling and Great Steering Dynamics
The 2019 Fiat 124 Spider offers amazing handling and steering dynamics. It's a nimble vehicle that can take sharp corners, even at a brisk pace. Steering is tight and responsive with plenty of road feedback. Braking is strong and firm and can stop the vehicle on a dime. The 124 Spider is a fun vehicle to drive around town, on the highway or out on the open roads.
3. Easy to Use Transmission System
You can opt for an automatic or manual transmission system for the 124 Spider. The automatic is quite capable and accurately shifts when you need it to. The manual transmission is among the best in this class of cars. It's easy to use and shifts smoothly and accurately. In conjunction with the engine, suspension and handling, this top-tier transmission system rounds out the Spider's fantastic performance features.
4. It's a Convertible
Let's face it, many will be drawn to the 2019 Fiat 124 Spider simply because it's a convertible. If you want to be able to zip around town in the open air, the 124 Spider is a great choice of a vehicle. The top can be let down or put up quickly too. It's also really easy to use.
5. Tons of Standard Tech
The 2019 Fiat 124 Spider comes in a few different trim levels. Each new level offers more features and upgrades than the last. You won't feel like you're missing out on much if you opt for the base-level trim though. Fiat has loaded down all models of the 124 Spider with a ton of nice standard features and technology.
6. Great Safety Features
The 124 Spider comes loaded with standard safety features. You get a rear-view camera. A blind-spot monitor allows you to make safer lane changes. Rear cross-path detection allows you to safely back out of a parking space. You can also opt for a rear-parking assist system to aid you when pulling into a space while in reverse. A standard airbag system and well-engineered steel frame round out some of the more notable safety features.
7. A Modern Infotainment System
The 2019 Fiat 124 Spider comes with an excellent audio and infotainment system. Fiat even includes small speakers in the seat headrests for loud and clear audio. A large, 7-inch, touchscreen display is easy to read and use. You get a navigation system to help you find your destination no matter where you go. There is also smartphone integration and a ton of connectivity options such as Bluetooth technology and USB ports.
8. The Convenient Size
The great thing about a two-seat sports car is the small size. This makes the 124 Spider super easy to maneuver. It's never too difficult to find a parking space either. The small turning radius and tight steering make it easy to get in and out of tight spaces. If the 124 Spider isn't your only vehicle, it won't take up too much space in your driveway, on the street or in your garage.
9. A Luxurious Interior
The 2019 Fiat 124 Spider has a beautiful and luxurious interior. It's quite a bit nicer than what you might expect from a sporty car. The seats are sturdy and comfortable. The fit and finish of everything is nearly perfect. Fiat uses some of the highest-quality materials for every inch of the interior. The attractive dashboard and instrument cluster are well designed and easy to see.
10. The Attractive Exterior
The 124 Spider is a sharp and stylish vehicle. It has an aggressive and sporty appearance. The smooth lines and contours are both aerodynamic and beautiful to look at. It has a bit of European style in its overall design. This is something Fiat's are known for. This is a small sports car that is sure to turn some heads.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Fiat 124 Spider – The Cons
1. The Lack of Cargo Space
The lack of cargo space is one of the biggest downsides to any two-seat roadster. There are no real back seats and the trunk is tiny. This isn't a family transporter or the car you take to do serious grocery shopping. This is to be expected for this class of vehicle, though. It's not something specifically wrong with the Fiat 124 Spider. It's just something to be aware of. If you want the small size and performance in the open air, this is just a sacrifice that has to be made.
2. Only Two Seats
If you're looking at the 2019 Fiat 124 Spider, you likely already know that it only has two seats. Just like the lack of cargo space, this is something you simply have to live with for this class of vehicle. It can be really inconvenient when you want to take a group with you somewhere, even if it's just a small group of friends.
3. A Loud Ride
The Fiat 124 Spider can be quite noisy. The engine itself is loud, but many car enthusiasts won't mind that too much. Many will prefer the roar of the engine in a performance-focused car like the 124 Spider. Unfortunately, the Spider doesn't do a really good job of negating outside noises even when the top is up. It can get especially loud on the highway.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition
Two-seat roadsters are getting more rare each year. This means that the 2019 Fiat 124 Spider doesn't have a lot of direct competition. Some alternatives that many buyers will consider are actually hardtops or larger coupes. Three of the 124 Spider's toughest competitors are the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Toyota 86 and the Nissan 370Z. The Miata is the closest vehicle to the 124 Spider. In fact, they both share the exact same platform.
The Miata and 124 Spider are both small, two-seat sports cars. Both have similar performance specs. The Miata offers a bit more power. The 124 Spider has a much nicer interior. The quality of the interior materials, as well as the fit and finish, are superior on the Fiat. The Fiat wins here as it provides the same fun driving experience, but in a more luxurious and comfortable package.
Toyota's 86 is also similar to the Fiat 124 Spider when it comes to power and performance. This vehicle is a larger coupe with rear seats. It's also a hardtop that lacks the open-air fun of the convertible Fiat. The Fiat also wins again when it comes to the interior quality. Unless you need the extra seats, the Fiat is a better vehicle and the only choice here if you want the convertible experience.
The Nissan 370Z is an interesting alternative to the Fiat 124 Spider. It can be had in a coupe or roadster configuration. The roadster is a two-seat convertible just like the 124 Spider. The Nissan 370Z even provides better acceleration and more power with a 3.6-liter, V-6 engine. It comes at a much higher price too, and it's overall design hasn't been changed much in years. The interior of the Fiat is once again superior and much more modern.
In Conclusion:
It may not be for everyone, but 2019 Fiat 124 Spider is a fantastic vehicle. It offers great acceleration and overall performance. The steering dynamics make it a joy to drive. It's small and easy to park or maneuver. The convertible top makes it a fun vehicle to drive around on sunny days. The safety features and build quality are among the best in this class of vehicle. The 124 Spider also comes with a lot of nice standard features. It's an attractive car both inside and out. The 124 Spider is easy to recommend to anyone looking for fun and sporty transportation.
