Fiat 500 vs Citroen C3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Fiat 500
From $28,900
Hatchback
Petrol
MultiAir Petrol
51kW
4.8 L/100km
4★ ANCAP
185L
Citroen C3
From $32,267
Hatchback
Petrol
Petrol
81kW
5.2 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
300L
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Price Breakdown
The Fiat 500 starts from $28,900 before on-road costs, while the Citroen C3 opens at $32,267. That makes the Fiat 500 the more affordable entry point by $3,367.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $31,790 and $35,494 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs are nearly identical since both have similar efficiency.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Fiat 500 gets fabric upholstery while the Citroen C3 offers cloth.
Drivetrain
The Fiat 500 uses a MultiAir Petrol producing 51kW and 102Nm of torque, sent through a 5-speed dualogic automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 12.9 seconds.
The Citroen C3 responds with a Petrol making 81kW and 205Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.9 seconds.
The Citroen C3 has the clear power advantage at 81kW vs 51kW. In the real-world sprint, the Citroen C3 is 2.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Fiat 500 measures 3,571mm long on a 2,300mm wheelbase, 425mm shorter than the Citroen C3 at 3,996mm (2,539mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Citroen C3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 185L in the Fiat 500 and 300L in the Citroen C3, giving the Citroen C3 a 115L advantage. The Citroen C3 seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.3m diameter
Excellent
Based on 9.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator — U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Excellent
Clears the U-turn in one swing
Needs about 8.3 m of road; you have 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m — clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m — 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.6 m wide — fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m — swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m — no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,368/year for the Fiat 500 and $1,482/year for the Citroen C3. That is a $114 annual difference in favour of the Fiat 500.
Estimated annual total: $1,368 (Fiat 500) vs $1,482 (Citroen C3). The Fiat 500 saves you roughly $114 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 3 years / 150,000km (Fiat 500) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Citroen C3). The Citroen C3 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Fiat 500 if: You want the lower entry price, want lower running costs, or prefer Fiat's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Citroen C3 if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Citroen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Citroen C3 takes 5 of 7 key spec categories. The Fiat 500 will save you roughly $114 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Citroen C3 has a clear edge. The Citroen C3 adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Fiat 500 and Citroen C3?
The Fiat 500 is the cheapest at $28,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Citroen C3 by $3,367.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Fiat 500 uses the least fuel at 4.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Fiat 500 all hold a 4-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Citroen C3 has the largest boot at 300L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Citroen C3 has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Citroen C3 makes the most power at 81kW. The Citroen C3 is quickest to 100km/h in 10.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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