Don't dismiss the 124 Spider out of hand because other Fiats have performed poorly in our tests. This car is more Mazda than Fiat. In fact, under that retro-inspired body is essentially the Miata's nimble, fun-to-drive essence.
The Spider's 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine revs willingly and delivers good midrange power while returning a solid 31 mpg overall. But the engine sound is uninspiring: It's more rattle than aria. The six-speed manual engages each gear without a fuss, and the optional six-speed automatic doesn't dilute the driving experience too much.
As with the Miata, the Spider's responsive steering provides good driver feedback, making the car feel playful yet predictable. The ride is compliant for a sports car, but there's no escaping the frequent jittering transmitted on rough roads. Even with the top raised, wind and road ruckus is relentless above 60 mph. Raising and lowering the manual soft top is a simple one-arm operation that can be done without turning around.
The two-seat interior is very confining, with hardly any storage space. Packing light is essential because the trunk can handle only a few soft bags. The cabin lacks any Italian flair, and the Mazda controls take some getting used to.
A rearview camera isn't available on the Miata, but it's optional on the base Fiat 124 and standard on higher trims.
Read the complete Fiat 124 Spider road test.
HIGHS: Agility, easy manual top, fuel economy
LOWS: Ride, noise, tight quarters, access
POWERTRAIN: 160-hp, 1.4-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine; six-speed manual transmission; rear-wheel drive
FUEL: 31 mpg
PRICE AS TESTED: $29,985
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Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the June 2017 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
