Fiat 500 vs Volkswagen Polo
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.
Price Breakdown
The Fiat 500 starts from $28,900 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Polo opens at $30,790. That makes the Fiat 500 the more affordable entry point by $1,890.
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 $33,869 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Fiat 500 by roughly $1,000 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Volkswagen Polo holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Fiat 500. Adult occupant protection scored 78% for the Fiat 500 and 94% for the Volkswagen Polo.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Fiat 500 packs more ADAS features with 4 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 3 in the Volkswagen Polo.
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 Volkswagen Polo.
Feature Showdown
The Fiat 500 features a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Volkswagen Polo gets a 8-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Polo counters with wireless charging that the Fiat 500 does not offer. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Fiat 500 gets fabric upholstery while the Volkswagen Polo 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 Volkswagen Polo responds with a Petrol making 85kW and 200Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.1 seconds.
The Volkswagen Polo has the clear power advantage at 85kW vs 51kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Polo is 2.8s 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, 509mm shorter than the Volkswagen Polo at 4,080mm (2,564mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Polo generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 185L in the Fiat 500 and 381L in the Volkswagen Polo, giving the Volkswagen Polo a 196L advantage. The Volkswagen Polo seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.3m to 10.1m
Based on 9.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $1,368/year for the Fiat 500 and $1,568/year for the Volkswagen Polo. That is a $200 annual difference in favour of the Fiat 500.
Estimated annual total: $1,368 (Fiat 500) vs $1,568 (Volkswagen Polo). The Fiat 500 saves you roughly $200 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 (Volkswagen Polo). The Volkswagen Polo 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 Volkswagen Polo if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Polo takes 6 of 8 key spec categories. The Fiat 500 will save you roughly $200 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Polo has a clear edge. The Volkswagen Polo 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 Volkswagen Polo?
The Fiat 500 is the cheapest at $28,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Polo by $1,890.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Fiat 500 uses the least fuel at 4.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
The Volkswagen Polo has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Polo has the largest boot at 381L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Volkswagen Polo has the longest warranty at 5 years / 1000k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Polo makes the most power at 85kW. The Volkswagen Polo is quickest to 100km/h in 10.1s.
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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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