Fiat 500 vs Suzuki Swift
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchs 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.
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Price Breakdown
The Fiat 500 starts from $28,900 before on-road costs, while the Suzuki Swift opens at $23,990. That makes the Suzuki Swift the more affordable entry point by $4,910.
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 $26,389 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Suzuki Swift by roughly $1,140 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Fiat 500 holds a 4-star ANCAP rating vs 3 stars for the Suzuki Swift. Adult occupant protection scored 78% for the Fiat 500 and 47% for the Suzuki Swift.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. Both models are evenly matched with 4 out of 10 key ADAS systems.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Fiat 500 and 6 in the Suzuki Swift.
Feature Showdown
The Fiat 500 features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Suzuki Swift gets a 9-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
Interior trim differs: the Fiat 500 gets fabric upholstery while the Suzuki Swift 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 Suzuki Swift responds with a Petrol making 61kW and 112Nm, paired to a cvt driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12.4 seconds.
The Suzuki Swift has the clear power advantage at 61kW vs 51kW. In the real-world sprint, the Suzuki Swift is 0.5s 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, 289mm shorter than the Suzuki Swift at 3,860mm (2,450mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Suzuki Swift generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 185L in the Fiat 500 and 267L in the Suzuki Swift, giving the Suzuki Swift a 82L advantage. The Suzuki Swift seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.3m to 9.8m
Based on 9.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,368/year for the Fiat 500 and $1,140/year for the Suzuki Swift. That is a $228 annual difference in favour of the Suzuki Swift.
Estimated annual total: $1,368 (Fiat 500) vs $1,140 (Suzuki Swift). The Suzuki Swift saves you roughly $228 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 3 years / 100,000km (Suzuki Swift). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Fiat 500 if: You or prefer Fiat's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Suzuki Swift if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Suzuki's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Suzuki Swift takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Suzuki Swift will save you roughly $228 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Suzuki Swift has a clear edge. 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 Suzuki Swift?
The Suzuki Swift is the cheapest at $23,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Fiat 500 by $4,910.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Suzuki Swift uses the least fuel at 4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Fiat 500 has the highest ANCAP rating at 4 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Suzuki Swift has the largest boot at 267L.
Which is the most powerful?
The Suzuki Swift makes the most power at 61kW. The Suzuki Swift is quickest to 100km/h in 12.4s.
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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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