The 124 Spider comes with a peppy 1.4L, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 160 horsepower. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox. While 160 horsepower may not sound like a lot, the 124 Spider is incredibly light and acceleration should be plenty rapid. That lightness also pays dividends at the fuel pump. While fuel economy may not have been the top priority when the 124 was designed, the FIAT achieves ratings of 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. With that being said, the 124 Spider's philosophy seems to favor fun over just about any other factor. Rear-wheel drive makes interior packaging more difficult, but it does wonders for feel, handling and acceleration out of corners. A 6-speed manual may not be as easy to use as an automatic, but it does induce grins at a much higher rate.
Three trims are offered: Classica, Lusso and Abarth. Standard features across the entire range include push-button start, power mirrors, LED brake lamps, air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
The Lusso trim costs about $2,500 more and adds a few additional features to feel less Spartan. 17-inch wheels, fog lamps and chrome exhaust tips jazz up the exterior, while stainless steel sill plates add a little style to the interior. Also included on the Lusso are rain-sensing wipers and a keyless entry system.
Costing under $1,000 more than the Lusso, the Abarth is mainly a performance trim. It adds a mechanical limited slip differential that keeps the Abarth from spinning up two tires; spinning only one instead when exiting tight corners. The Abarth also gets a Bilstein Suspension System, which firms up the car and generally increases responsiveness. Styling wise, the Abarth gets a slightly meaner front fascia as well as black painted wheels.
A couple of notable option packages are available. A Premium Collection package includes a 9-speaker Bose sound system, adaptive front headlights that swivel based on steering angle and acceleration, auto-dimming and heated exterior mirrors, a blind spot detection system, a navigation system, LED headlamps, an alarm and SiriusXM satellite radio. A less expensive Safety and Comfort Collection option package includes the nicer mirrors and sensor suite without the navigation, audio system and luxury items from the Premium Collection. An automatic transmission is also available as an option across the entire range.
Cheerful Styling
Strong Performance And Good Fuel Economy
Top-down Driving Fun
The FIAT 124 Spider continues into 2019 with few notable changes. It remains a great value in the sports car segment, offering a convertible top and fun rear-wheel drive handling.
The FIAT 124 Spider has a base price of just below $25,000. For that money, there are very few convertibles available, among them the Mazda Miata and the Ford Mustang. While the Mustang might have the edge in straight-line speed, the 124 wins in handling. The 124 and Mazda Miata are very similar, having been developed jointly, so the choice just comes down to the FIAT's good looks.
