Volkswagen Golf vs Fiat 500
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.
Track the Volkswagen Golf & Fiat 500
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
The Volkswagen Golf starts from $38,690 before on-road costs, while the Fiat 500 opens at $28,900. That makes the Fiat 500 the more affordable entry point by $9,790.
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 $42,559 and $31,790 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Fiat 500 by roughly $2,140 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
The Volkswagen Golf holds a 5-star ANCAP rating vs 4 stars for the Fiat 500. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the Volkswagen Golf and 78% for the Fiat 500.
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 9 in the Volkswagen Golf and 7 in the Fiat 500.
Feature Showdown
The Volkswagen Golf features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.2-inch digital dash, while the Fiat 500 gets a 7-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Volkswagen Golf stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and wireless charging that you will not find on the Fiat 500. The Fiat 500 counters with Apple CarPlay. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Volkswagen Golf gets cloth upholstery while the Fiat 500 offers fabric.
Drivetrain
The Volkswagen Golf uses a Petrol producing 110kW and 250Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The Fiat 500 responds with a MultiAir Petrol making 51kW and 102Nm, paired to a 5-speed dualogic automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 12.9 seconds.
The Volkswagen Golf has the clear power advantage at 110kW vs 51kW. In the real-world sprint, the Volkswagen Golf is 3.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Volkswagen Golf measures 4,282mm long on a 2,631mm wheelbase, 711mm longer than the Fiat 500 at 3,571mm (2,300mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Golf generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 374L in the Volkswagen Golf and 185L in the Fiat 500, giving the Volkswagen Golf a 189L advantage. The Volkswagen Golf seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.3m to 11.1m
Based on 11.1m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.3m 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 $1,796/year for the Volkswagen Golf and $1,368/year for the Fiat 500. That is a $428 annual difference in favour of the Fiat 500.
Estimated annual total: $1,796 (Volkswagen Golf) vs $1,368 (Fiat 500). The Fiat 500 saves you roughly $428 per year in total ownership costs. Use our Fuel Cost Calculator to estimate based on your driving.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Golf) vs 3 years / 150,000km (Fiat 500). The Volkswagen Golf has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Volkswagen Golf if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
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.
The Verdict
The Volkswagen Golf takes 6 of 8 key spec categories. The Fiat 500 will save you roughly $428 a year in fuel. If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Golf has a clear edge. The Volkswagen Golf 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, Volkswagen Golf and Fiat 500?
The Fiat 500 is the cheapest at $28,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Golf by $9,790.
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 Golf has the highest ANCAP rating at 5 stars.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Golf has the largest boot at 374L.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Golf has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,500kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Volkswagen Golf has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Volkswagen Golf makes the most power at 110kW. The Volkswagen Golf is quickest to 100km/h in 9s.
Track the cars you're comparing
Sign up free for price-drop alerts on the models in this comparison, plus our weekly new-car rundown covering launches, deals and reviews. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!
