The 2024 Fiat 500e is cute as a bug. This all-electric two-door subcompact hatchback is stylish, fun, affordable and geared to driving in an urban setting. It has a relatively small range of 149 miles and little passenger and cargo space, but it’s a joy to scoot around town in this tiny EV.
Base Price: $36,000
As Tested: $37,595
Horsepower: 117
Mileage: 121 MPGe city/100 MPGe highway/110 MPGe combined
The 500e was originally introduced for the 2013 model year and discontinued after the 2019 model. Now it’s back for the 2024 model year and is the first battery-electric vehicle from Stellantis. It’s a little larger and better equipped than the previous model. The 2025 models are also out now, but there are no major changes.
The four-passenger 2024 Fiat 500e comes in some uniquely named trims: Inspi(RED), Inspired by Music and Inspired by Beauty. The Inspi(RED) model starts at $32,500 and the other two at $36,000, making the 500e one of the cheapest EVs available in the U.S.
Instead of having all three trims available at dealerships, Fiat is using a “product drop” strategy by releasing each trim at particular times in limited quantities.
All trims have the same powertrain: an electric motor that powers the front wheels and a 42-kWh high-voltage, lithium-ion battery system. Total output is 117 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The range is 149 miles.
The 500e is tiny – Fiat says at just over 3,000 pounds, it’s the lightest passenger battery electric vehicle in the segment – which makes it great for city driving. It has perky driving dynamics. Like most EVs, the 500e is quick off the line with plenty of low-end torque. Fiat says it can zip from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds. Steering is well weighted and 500e can turn on a dime. The ride is pretty firm and mostly comfortable, but you will notice bumps and rough roads in this little car. While the 500e has enough power for driving, merging and passing on the highway, it feels very small on the freeway when surrounded by trucks and larger vehicles so the 500e is definitely best suited for driving around town.
There are three driving modes: Normal feels much like driving a gas-powered vehicle. Range activates one-pedal driving, which optimizes regenerative braking. And Sherpa can be used when you want to maximize energy efficiency in order to get to the closest charging station.
Charging is quick. Fiat says the 500e has 85 kW of DC fast-charge capability with 31 miles of range after only five minutes of charging, and the battery can go from 0% to 80% in 35 minutes. With a Level 2 charger, the battery can go from 0% to 100% in six hours.
Fuel efficiency is good for an EV. EPA ratings for the 500e are 127 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) city, 104 MPGe highway, and 116 MPGe combined when equipped with summer tires, and 121 MPGe city, 100 MPGe highway and 110 MPGe combined when equipped with all-season tires.
The cabin is charming, as you’d expect in a Fiat, but not upscale. There are lots of hard plastics and front seats have to be manually adjusted. But the upholstery has a nice look and feel, and overall, the interior is attractive. The front seats are supportive, comfortable and roomier than you expect in such a tiny car – average size adults will have decent leg- and headroom. The backseat accommodates two people in theory, but it’s cramped. Two smaller adults can squeeze back there on short trips, but otherwise the backseat can be used to stash a handbag, laptop, and/or a grocery bag or two.
Standard features include proximity keyless entry, push-button start, rearview camera, automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, four-way manually adjustable passenger seat, seven-inch digital gauge cluster, infotainment system with 10.25-inch touchscreen, six-speaker audio system, HD Radio, satellite radio, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, wireless device charging, Wi-Fi hot spot,
Amazon Alexa, voice assistant, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
Available features include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, seven-speaker JBL premium audio system and automatic high-beam headlights.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, pedestrian detection, traffic-sign recognition, park assist, rear parking sensors, and driver-attention monitoring.
Available driver assistance technologies include adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and side parking sensors.
Stellantis’ Uconnect 5 infotainment system is user-friendly and looks great with its 10.25-inch touchscreen. Menus are logically arranged, the system responds quickly to touch and voice commands, and the touchscreen is easy to see and reach. Physical buttons are handy for adjustments to audio and climate settings. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard.
Cargo space is lacking. The 500e has only 7.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and the rear seats don’t fold flat. A power liftgate is standard. Unlike many other EVs, there’s no frunk (front trunk).
The good:
Cute as a bug!
Zippy driving dynamics
Fun to drive
One of the least expensive EVs
Quick charging
Attractive interior
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Below average range
Minimal cargo space
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $36,000. The destination fee is $1,595 bringing the grand total to $37,595.
Bottom line:
You’re not going to choose the Fiat 500e because it’s practical – instead you’re looking for something fun, stylish, and relatively inexpensive that’s easy to maneuver around town and can squeeze into the tiniest parking spaces.