Comparison Test: Hot Wheels Fiat 500 vs. 2012 VW Beetle vs. 2001 Mini Cooper vs. Matchbox Smart FourTwo

This is the first time that I posted this style of test on my blog, but it won't be the last.  As much as I like to review each vehicle separately, I also like to see how it compares with others related to body-style or whosever is in the same 5-pack of vehicles.  This one involves the latest (well, sort of) of the new sub-compact cars that you can currently buy.  The newest is the Hot Wheels Fiat 500 Sport in metallic red.  Hot Wheels with a 500, yes, but I wasn't expecting anything short of an Abarth!  The next is the 2012 VW Beetle which got it's first redesign since the revival of the New Beetle in 1998.  The next one is the oldest, though still the finest: the 2001 Mini Cooper, and just like the Fiat I was expecting more of the S model than the regular Mini Cooper model when it was first introduced in 2002.  Finally is a wild card, one that has been in-and-out in the Matchbox lineup since 2002, and has made most of it's American appearance in 2008:  The Smart FourTwo cabriolet (now Hot Wheels makes a generic version called Four-one, but I rather prefer realistic versions over generic).

So, before the winner is picked, let's take a look at the four in eight categories:

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Exterior Design

The Fiat looks sharp in the metallic red with lighting details front and rear.  Oh, and their own double 5-spoke wheels look spot-on to the actual set on the Sport models.  The Fiat is also the second smallest car in the group.  The Mini is next and even at twelve years old the body lines still look sharp, and this Wal-Mart baggie version has front and rear detailing.  The roof is always separate-colored, and the trim around the wheelwells and lower body is separate from the metal body.  The rear-end is a bit squared-off than normal.  The new Beetle is a step-up from the older model with flat roofline, rear spoiler, dual exhaust, and angled bumper corners, giving the Beetle a more masculine look.  While the details are nice, the rounded-off front-end looks odd and waay off from the actual car.  As for the Smart...eh it looks good in the color combination with headlight details, but lacks rear taillight details and looks odd any way you look at it.  Not to mention the rear end seems to squat down more than the front!

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Interior

The Fiat looks good with central speedometer hub with tachometer and other gauges within the speedometer like a watch.  Also nice is the body-colored dash panel to highlight the otherwise coal-black interior.  Front seating is good, but anyone over six-feet tall will cut the 2 + 2 seating down to just a two-seater.  Cargo area is slim with rear seats up, but can make up some more with the rear seat down.  The Mini still uses the central speedometer (which will end in the 2015 model) and central controls below, but the regular Mini lacks the steering wheel tachometer of the S model.  Interior is much more roomier than the Fiat, but still kind of snug, ditto the cargo area.  The Beetle has the roomiest interior of the bunch, though rear headroom is still snug, but not as bad as the New Beetle (I remember a picture of someone tilting their head to the side because the fast slope of the rear window cut headroom in the back quite a lot!) .  The dash is a major improvement with a smaller front overhang, body-colored insert (if equipped, otherwise it's black), and seats and shifter that pays nod to the GTI.  Cargo area is roomy despite the rounded lower opening of the hatch.  The Smart is only a two-seater, with the passenger seat sitting farther back.  The dash is funky, if it's started to look dated already.  As for cargo area, good luck!  Kudos goes to the open-top look despite the lowered top blocking rear vision.

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Engine Displacement

The downside of the 500 Sport is the 1.4L MultiAir I-4 only mustering 101 hp., and the 5-speed manual is a gear short and a bit vague to use precisely.  Then again, probably not as bad as the Smart's Turbocharged .6L I-3 producing 53 hp through a clunky 6-speed twin-clutch automatic.  As for the Mini it features the 1.6L I-4 producing 90 hp. through a 5-speed manual.  The VW Beetle blows all away with the turbocharged 2.0L I-4 producing 138 hp. through a six-speed manual.

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Acceleration

The Beetle is the fastest with more power and smoother delivery.  The Fiat 500, surprisingly, felt just as fast despite the lack of power.  The Mini Cooper is quick, but without the turbo S engine falls behind the Beetle.  While the Smart leads the back with a weezy motor and laughable times (Note: all of these performance tests were based on brief testing of the cars and from reviews of the 1:1 car from various sources).

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Braking

Despite being fast, the Beetle also had the best stopping distance of the group.  Next is the Smart, which is no surprise since it doesn't go that fast!  The Mini placed third, with the Fiat coming in last place.

Handling

All four handle great, just like how small cars do best.  However, how they performed was a different story.  Both the Fiat and Beetle were fast, smooth, flat, and just downright fun to push around:  The Beetle using it's power and braking as an advantage, while the Fiat used it's small size and flat handling dynamics.  The Mini was not too far behind with zero body roll, but the lack of power was imminent, plus it felt less fun to toss around, which is very odd to say for a Mini Cooper.  The Smart has a higher center of gravity to deal with, and along with the lack of power was no-way fun to toss around.  This is a car more for the crowded city streets than the racetrack!


Features

So, what other goodies do these vehicles offer?  The Mini wins this one with classic detailing, practical interior, and despite the contrary today IT STILL HAS A METAL BASE AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!!!  The Fiat was next with the nice exterior touches and the fun play matter of the handing.  The Beetle, while fast, was badly hurt by some unfinished areas, frumpy front-end, and the lack of variations (only two so far!).  The Smart may look cool and have the correct details, but the interior details is flat, it's odd-looking, and not-so-fun to toss around, and you wonder why this Smart disappeared from the Matchbox U.S. line rather quickly.

Price

All three (Fiat, Mini, Smart) scored points for the affordable price, though it depends on what models and features you add up.  In reality the Mini (which would be a pre-owned model by now) would be the best bet, followed by the Fiat.  The Beetle is bigger and offers more, so it loses a point for a slightly-higher price but not by much.

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The result?

Fourth goes to the Smart FourTwo.  It looks neat, but it's just uninspiring elsewhere.  Third goes to the Fiat 500.  It looks cool and is fun to toss around, but the small motor and cramped interior comes up short to stronger competitors.  Second goes to the VW Beetle.  It is fast, roomy, and fun-to-drive, but the shape of the front-end severely downgrades this car from the winning position.  The first place winner goes to the 2001 Mini Cooper.  Sure it's not a S model and is three model generations behind, but still looks good today with full level of details inside, out, and a metal base.  Sure the handing is dull, but at least it still holds on to the original Mini heritage of fun, compact hatchbacks.