Fiat has taken a cue from hybrid technology to improve fuel economy in the 500 subcompact with technology that shuts off the engine at stops.

The 500 Start&Stop model raises fuel economy by up to 12 percent in city driving by shutting the engine off whenever traffic brings the car to a halt. On Europe's driving cycles, the 500 Start&Stop achieves 41.3 mpg in the city and 54.7 mph on the highway, Fiat said.

Start&Stop models use the 500's smallest engine, putting out 69 horsepower from 1.2 liters. Other 1.2-liter models without the start-stop function return 36.7 mpg in the city and offer the same highway efficiency. The Start&Stop is priced in the middle of the 500 range at the equivalent of $14,050.