OMG! The 2024 Fiat 500e is so cute!!!
Fiat faces several challenges with the reintroduction of the all-electric 500. When most EVs are getting larger, the subcompact 500e is the smallest on the market.
Wait, did I tell you the 2024 500e is so cute! I mean, really!! You need to see it!!!
Where was I? Oh yeah. While most EVs are now getting more and more all electric range, the new 500e is only EPA rated at around 150, which is among the least available.
But gosh darn, the 2024 500e is so cute! The headlights have eyebrows!! The grill looks like a smile !!! You have to check it out!!!!
OK, the 500e is not the most practical EV on the market. But it is not supposed to be. Fiat clearly intends the 500e to be an impulse buy for urbanites with reasonable school or work commutes who want to look chic doing them. It’s almost a fashion accessory, albeit one that will meet most day-to-day needs and squeeze into the smallest parking space. And it succeeds at that role, totally.
As anyone who follows cars knows, the 2024 Fiat 500e is the descendant of the original Fiat 500, which was first produced in Italy in 1936, but became internationally known with the introduction of the redesigned 1957 model that offered a tremendous amount of interior room in a small, rear engine, bulbous design, echoing the success of the British Minis and German Volkswagen Beetles, as they were sold in America. In addition to being cheap and economical, the 500 model produced until 1975 attracted a loyal cult following and even included a performance-oriented Abarth version that excelled at rally racing.
Chrysler eventually acquired Fiat and reintroduced a remarkably faithful but updated retro version of the 500, along the lines of BMW’s newer Minis, in 2012. It included an Abarth version with the traditional low-restriction and loud exhaust system. An all-electric versionl was introduced in 2013 and continued to be offered until US sales of all models stopped in 2019.
Fiat is now owned by Stellantis. Although the new 500 is only available as an EV, the exterior and interior styling retains the look and feel of the original and first retro model. It is noticeably larger on the outside, however, and even roomier inside – although the rear seats are still best considered as a shelf for gym bags.
The switch to completely all-electric means the Abarth version of the 500 is now longer offered. But Car and Driver recorded the zero for 60 times of the new EV version at 7.8 seconds, which is just a tick slower than the fastest previous gas version. Of course the raspy exhaust tone is gone, but the direct drive transmission is incredibly smooth and makes the 500e seem faster than it actually is.
The nod to fashion continues with the four trim levels, which are being released as special editions. The is called Inspi(RED), starts at $34,095, and benefits Product Red, which raises money to fund HIV and AIDS research. Next up is Inspired by Music, which starts at $37,595, and only comes in Tuxedo Black. The third is called Inspired by Beauty, which also starts at $37,595, and only comes in a dazzling color called Rose Gold (that could have also been called Champagne). An Inspired by Los Angeles version has just been announced.
All come with a wide range of standard features, including a 10.3-inch infotainment display, a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster, a wireless smartphone charging pad, automatic climate control, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The “Inspired By” models offer more luxury items, like adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature.
All models also come with three drive modes – Normal, Range, and Sherpa – which provide increasingly aggressive regenerative braking to increase range. Normal is EPA rated at 141 miles on a full charge and Fiat says Sherpa, which provides one-pedal driving, can reach over 160. Those are not high numbers these days, although they are better than the 2024 MINI Electric, which is only rated at 114. It is about the same as the base 2024 Nissan Leaf, which is rated at 149 miles.
It is unlikely many 500e buyers will do much comparison shopping, though. Compared to the MINI Electric and Leaf, the new Fiat looks like a lot more fun. The exterior styling builds on the last-generation design with a bolder face and wider stance. And the functional eyebrows over the headlights are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
In addition to being larger, the interior is also more modern. The dash is cleaner than before, but still has some retro touches, including a large, easy-to-use horizontal push button transmission. Like the last version, the driver and front-seat passenger are perched up off the floor, which improves visibility and still leaves a lot of unused headroom.
My tester was the Inspired by Beauty version with the unique Rose Gold paint offset by large black alloy wheels. It attracted attention everywhere I went, including an enthusiastic thumbs up from a passing last-generation Abarth driver. A neighbor came over and took a picture to send to a friend whose wife wants a small EV. When I came back from shopping, someone had left a sticky note on the driver’s side window that said, “Your car is so cute! Love it” (with two hearts). No other vehicle that I’ve tested has ever inspired so many reactions, which I think that means Fiat has succeeded in its primary goal of reintroducing a 500e that will generate a lot of immediate interest.
On the road, 500e was fun but not exciting. Its 117 horsepower is low for most EVs, which are routinely offering 300 or more these days, especially those with all-wheel-drive, which is not available. The ride was firm but not harsh. It drives better than the Leaf or Volkswagen ID.4, but cannot compete with sporty models like the Kia EV6 GT. But performance is not the point. The 2024 Fiat 500e is much more about style, and it has plenty of that.
By chance I tested the 500e during a rare early summer heat wave where temperatures reach 90 degrees for several days in the row. The air condition did a good job of keeping the interior cool and did not even significantly reduce the displayed range when it was on.
Like all EVs, the 2024 500e is more expensive than equivalent gas-powered vehicles, although the smallest BMW-produced MINI is really the only traditional vehicle like it on the market. With a starting price of $34,095, there are several EVs that cost less and can go farther on a full charge, but they lack the pizzazz of the new Fiat EV. Like the MINI and late Volkswagen New Beetle, it will not look out of date in a few years because it is so successfully retro. And it will keep putting a smile on your face.
2024 Fiat 500e
Base price: $34,095 (InspiRED)
Price as tested: $37,695 (Inspired by Beauty)
Type: Subcompact EV coupe
Engine: Single FWD motor (117 hp, 162 lbs-ft)
Transmission: Front-offset 1-speed gearbox
Drive modes: Normal, Range, Sherpa
Range: 141 miles (Normal) to 162 miles (Sherpa)
EPA estimated mileage: 83 MPGe (110 city, 121 highway)
Overall length: 143 inches
Curb weight: 2981 pounds
Final assembly: Turin, Italy
Most Popular
Comments / 0