If there’s a nicer place to be on a sunny afternoon than a winding two-lane road behind the wheel of the Fiat 124 Spider (with the top down, of course) we honestly can’t think of it.
Yes, this two-seat roadster is every bit that agreeable. Built on the underpinnings of the highly regarded Mazda MX-5 Miata, the Spider is a different but no less enjoyable car. For starters, virtually every surface has been reworked to give the Fiat a distinctive look with a uniquely Italian fl air.
The parts you can’t see are equally noteworthy, starting with Fiat’s exclusive turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The luxury-oriented Lusso model I drove made optimal use of this motor with its precise six-speed manual gearbox (a less-engaging six-speed automatic is available as an option). The suspension has been retuned to give this version a slightly plusher ride quality without altering the crisp handling that makes the car such a pleasure to drive on said meandering strip of asphalt.
In short, the Fiat 124 Spider is more than just a Miata with a Fiat badge slapped on it. It’s one of those affordable cars that makes you feel like a million bucks behind the wheel.
Base Price: $24,995
MPG: 26 city, 35 highways
Crash Test: N/A
Call me a contrarian, but I don’t put much stock in the badges cars wear – I’m simply not impressed with Mercedes’ three-pointed star or BMW’s blue-and-white roundel. No, what impresses me is bang for the buck and the new Kia Stinger has that in abundance.
This midsize four-door hatchback with the sport sedan looks combines head-turning styling with stirring performance. All in a package that can be many thousands less than comparable models from those trendy European brands. Add a comfortable passenger cabin with generous room for four adults and a plethora of comfort and safety features and you have a car that compares favorably with anything in its class.
The top-of-the-line GT2 AWD version I drove was powered by a twin-turbocharged, 3.3-liter V-6 that puts out a healthy 365 horsepower (a still-sprightly 255 horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder is standard). The ride quality is firm but perfectly acceptable and the sporty handling rivals that of many more spendy sport sedans.
I strongly recommend the Kia Stinger as an affordable alternative for those not afflicted with badge-envy.
Base Price: $25,390
MPG: 43 city, 41 highway
Crash Test: 5 stars
Looking for a new car ride? Find more car reviews online. AAA.com/TestDrive
Related Articles
Trending Articles
NEWEST ARTICLES
One Thought on “Performance, Please! – Fiat 124 Spider/Kia Stinger”
Leave A Comment
Comments are subject to moderation and may or may not be published at the editor’s discretion. Only comments that are relevant to the article and add value to the Your AAA community will be considered. Comments may be edited for clarity and length.
Actually, there is a nicer place to be on a sunny afternoon – behind the wheel of either our 1978 Fiat X1/9, or our 1969 Lotus Elan. But the 124 is not far behind. In fact, when my wife’s 2010 Mini Cooper S needs an engine or some other large expense, she’ll be either buying another one, or else the 124 Spyder.