The mini-subcompact 2024 Fiat 500e is best enjoyed as a city or suburban runabout. However, its electric driving range is 143 to 162 miles.
The 2024 Fiat 500e is sold in four trim levels with starting prices ranging from $34,095 to $37,595. (Photography by Fiat/Stellantis or Mark Maynard)
Jump To Special Features
The Fiat 500e Italian-American
2024 Fiat 500e Pricing
500e Warranties
Feeling Inspi(RED)?
Cool 500e Features
Fiat 500e Performance
Charging the 500e
Why Buy the Fiat 500e?
Specifications
The 2024 Fiat 500e is proof that battery-electric cars do not have to look weird. This clever and cute electric four-seater is best enjoyed as a city or suburban runabout. It has an electric driving range of 143 to 162 miles. And the best part is how quickly it recharges, and every Fiat 500e is available with a 240-volt home battery charger.
The Fiat 500 legacy began in 1957 in Italy as a roomy gas miser. It had a tiny engine at the rear, a four-speed manual transmission, and rear-wheel drive. The Cinquecento putted along until a 1965 redesign gave it styling panache that helped push sales to nearly a million. Fiat 500 production from 1957 to 1975 totaled 3,893,294 cars.
With its 5.8-gallon gas tank, the 21-horsepower, half-liter, two-cylinder engine had a fuel economy rating of 33 mpg. At the time, the average price for a gallon of gas was about 31 cents, according to ConceptCarz. A full tank could possibly provide around 191 miles of driving.
The original 1957 Fiat 500 and its 2024 electric re-creation, 500e.
The Fiat 500e Italian-American
Ever the thrifty small car, the modern rebirth of the Fiat 500e is true to its roots. It is the first battery-electric vehicle from Stellantis. However, a previous Fiat 500e was available in California and Oregon from 2013 to 2019. The completely redesigned and re-engineered 2024 500e is a much-improved car.
With a curb weight of just 2,952 pounds, the Fiat 500e is the lightest battery-electric vehicle in the segment. It is a little wider and longer than the previous gasoline-powered Fiat 500. Its more sculpted exterior gives it a solid, huggable stance. The styling is more charming than cutesy, the type of car that owners will give nicknames. The interior has been improved for materials, shoulder room, and storage.
For those who deal with cramped parking garages, the 500e has a turning circle of 31.5 feet. That span is 3.3 feet shorter than the electric Kia Niro and nearly four feet tighter than the two-door Mini Cooper electric. Another comparable to the 500e is the Hyundai Kona small SUV.
I like the honesty in the Fiat 500e design and performance. It won’t be judged on how fast to 60 mph or how it handles a slalom course. It cannot be compared with EVs boasting a 300-mile range. And its stubby wheelbase of 91.4 inches will bounce occupants like peas in a frying pan along lumpy road surfaces.
This iteration of the Fiat 500 is more Italian-American than its U.S. past as an Americanized Italian. The Fiat 500e is as fun as it is functional. It should just be used and enjoyed as it is. And I still wish I had one in my garage.
Durable black fabric upholstery with bright red piping.
2024 Fiat 500e Pricing
Four trim levels of the 2024 500e are available by lease or purchase.
- Fiat INSPI(RED) RED, starting at $34,095, with a no-cost of paint colors in white, red, or black.
- Inspired By Beauty, starting at $37,595, in the exclusive Rose Gold paint and “vegan” leather upholstery.
- Inspired By Music, starting at $37,595, in Tuxedo Black paint only.
All retail pricing includes the $1,595 freight charge from the Mirafiori Assembly Plant in Turin, Italy.
Durable black fabric upholstery with bright red piping. 500e is embossed in the upper seatbacks.
Lease or Purchase?
I’d opt for leasing over purchasing an electric vehicle with its myriad electronic sensors. And the Fiat warranties are impressive.
There is no rollout period for the Fiat 500e. It is available in all 50 states. It is not eligible for the federal EV tax credit, but at $34,000 to $38,000 with a free home charger, it is of no consequence.
However, Fiat’s parent company, Stellantis, offers a $7,500 EV lease incentive through a Stellantis Preferred Lender. The mileage term is 7,500 miles a year. The incentive — for extremely qualified lessees — will be factored into the lease calculation with possible additional state incentives. A down payment of $4,915 is due at lease signing, with no security deposit required.
FIAT creates a new digital shopping experience with FIAT Live Store. Separate from FiatUsa.com, the Live Store presents more options in the purchase and ownership process.
Find current Fiat pricing here. And find Fiat incentives here.
The two-spoke steering wheel recalls that of the original Fiat 500.
500e Warranties
The Fiat 500e is an economy choice, but its warranty coverage is luxury class.
The basic new-vehicle warranty covers the vehicle for 4 years or 50,000 miles bumper to bumper. The electric powertrain has coverage of 8 years or 100,000 miles. The high-voltage battery is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles (10 years/150,000 miles in California).
For those concerned about owning a Fiat, roadside assistance is for 8 years or 100,000 miles. I have not seen that time span offered on any luxury vehicle.
The modest 42 kW lithium ion and nickel manganese cobalt battery packs 352 volts.
Feeling Inspi(RED)?
Today’s tester is the INSPI(RED), which has no available factory options. It is a simple build order, similar to what shoppers might find on the dealership lot.
Paint color choices are red, black, or white. The interior is black fabric and embossed with 500e in the upper seatbacks. The driver seat has six-way manual adjustment, with four-way for the front passenger. The seats have supportive thigh support and durable stitching with red accents. The back seat folds 50/50.
The center armrest console is leather-covered, and the front floor mats are also embossed with 500e.
The wireless charging pad, with an “Easter” egg motif.
The only audio-infotainment choice is the capable Uconnect 5 NAV with a six-speaker audio system. Uconnect 5 Nav is displayed through a 10.25-inch touch screen display, which displays music information and climate controls. It also gives a wide view of the back-up camera. Integrated voice commands allow hands-free calling, streaming audio, and navigation. The system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Traffic sign readouts in the gauge array are by data subscription.
Entry is by Keyless Enter’ n Go with push-button ignition.
About the only choice for buyers is tires, summer or all-season (205/45) on 17-inch alloy wheels.
Safety features include seven air bags, lane-departure warning, Intelligent Speed Assist, ParkSense rear park-assist system, and ParkView back-up camera.
My six-foot-six son standing next to the 5.25-foot tall 500e. (Mark Maynard)
Interior Design
There isn’t much inside that reminds of Italian design. However, there is a nod to the original 1957 Fiat 500 in the gloss-painted dashboard face, round gauge cluster, and two-spoke steering wheel.
The cabin does not feel as subcompact as the previous gas-powered Fiat 500. There are 39.2 inches of front headroom and 41.8 inches of legroom.
A smart mix of digital-manual controls includes “piano” keys for gear selection in a row of PRNDL. There is also a row of switches for AC-heat-vent controls. The wireless phone charger has a separate nook just below the HVAC controls with a USB port.
For perspective, my 6-foot-6 tall son fit behind the wheel and could see out through the top of the windshield. However, he said someone 6-foot-4 would be more comfortable.
Front seat space is roomy with 39.2 of headroom and 41.8 inches of legroom.
And my 6-foot-6 son behind the wheel. “Someone 6-foot-4 would be more comfortable,” he said.
Diminutive sun visors have no vanity mirror for the driver, just on the passenger side.
Back seat headroom and legroom — 35.3/29.4 inches — are tight but usable for the school carpool.
Cargo space is more functional than you might think. Trunk space of just 7.51 cubic feet will work for runs to the home improvement store or garden nursery. The space is expandable by folding the rear seatbacks.
This is what 7.5 cubic feet of trunk space looks like. (Mark Maynard photos)
And trunk space after a run to the garden nursery.
Cool 500e Features
“Singing: Alert System. To alert pedestrians to an approaching 500e, an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System “sings” “The Sound of 500.” The music is by Flavio Ibba-Marco Gualdi https://www.redroseproductions.net/the-team.
Door locking. Interior electric door releases are a cool statement, by a lighted dial on the door panels. Once outside the car, the driver has 2 seconds to pull the door handle to ensure the door is locked.
Manual door release. In the event of a dead battery, the electric door releases can be bypassed by a clearly marked red lever in the door panel.
Another “Easter” egg in the door grab pocket.
Look for the Italian tricolore flag in the turn signals.
Easter Eggs. Look for subtle Fiat imagery in the front door-grab pocket and the wireless charging pad. The front turn signals show the Italian tricolore flag, and “Made in Torino” is embossed in the taillights.
Pirelli Cinturato tires. From the 1950s through the 1970s, the Italian-bred Pirelli Cinturato was the original equipment tire for many exotic Italian cars. The 2024 500e rolls on Cinturato P7 all-season (or summer) run-flat tires, 205/45. Gloss black alloy wheels have a diamond finish. These Pirelli replacements are reasonably priced, about $263.24 each before installation, or $1,053 for four.
Fiat 500e Performance
Powering the 500e is an AC three-phase motor with a permanent magnet rotor. The modest 42 kW lithium ion and nickel manganese cobalt battery packs 352 volts. (The battery weighs 649 pounds.)
The powertrain has 117 horsepower and 163 foot-pounds of torque, translating to a fuel economy equivalent of 116 mpg-e. The top speed is 94 mph.
The one-speed transmission has drive modes of Normal, Range, and Sherpa.
The EPA-estimated driving range is 143-162 miles.
The 117-hp AC three-phase motor with permanent magnetic rotor. Top speed is 94 mph.
3 Drive Modes
Normal — This is the Sport driving mode with more immediate acceleration.
Range — Activates one-pedal-drive function and maximizes regenerative braking to capture more energy when coasting.
Sherpa —This is the “Eco” mode to maximize thrift. Among the Sherpa adjustments are limiting top speed to 50 mph and reducing power from 87 kW to 57 kW. Full throttle delivers full power when needed. The climate control system and seat heaters are also automatically deactivated but can be manually reactivated if needed.
One-pedal driving uses the electric motor and regenerative braking for stop-and-go function using only the accelerator pedal. The technology pairs with E-coasting and deceleration to preserve driving range. It is ideal for navigating city traffic.
Also useful is cabin preconditioning, which allows drivers to cool or heat the cabin while still plugged in. It does not deplete the initial state of charge. The preconditioning function can be set via the vehicle settings screen.
An Italian connection from Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season (or summer) runflat tires, 205/45.
Charging the 500e
Every Fiat 500e includes a Level 2 charging wall unit. Fiat says its 85-kW fast charger system can provide 31 miles of range in 5 minutes. For those with a Level 2 charging station or don’t need one at home, the Free2move Charge Go package provides $600 in charging credits for public charging stations.
Fiat says the lithium-ion battery is designed to last the life of the vehicle. I take that to mean that regular use of a high-capacity charger will not hasten battery degradation. Most automakers agree that charging on a 240-volt system is the safest way to recharge for the battery’s life.
Back seat legroom of 29.4 inches is typical of a mini-subcompact. Shown, is the 500e Inspired By Music back seat.
Why Buy the Fiat 500e?
For motorists fed up with complicated cars — gas or electric — the Fiat 500e is a charming example of how simple driving can be.
What nickname will you give your 500e?
The 2024 Fiat 500e has new front and rear LED lighting, e-latch aero door handles, and an updated grille.
2024 Fiat 500e Specifications
Body style: Mini-compact, 2-door unibody 4-seat, front-wheel drive battery electric coupe
Motor: AC three-phase with permanent magnetic rotor
Power: 117-hp, 163 lb.-ft. torque
Battery: lithium ion nickel manganese cobalt; 42 kW 352 volts
Battery weight: 649 pounds
Transmission: one speed with modes of Normal, Range, and Sherpa
EPA-estimated driving range: 143-162 miles
Fuel economy equivalent, MPGe: 116 mpg-e
Top speed: 94 mph
Drag coefficient: 0.324 Cd
CHARGING TIMES
Level II 240-volt, 48 amp: 6 hours zero to 100 percent
85kW: 35 minutes from 0 to 80 percent;
BY THE NUMBERS
Trunk space: 7.51 cubic feet
Front head/leg room: 39.2/41.8 inches
Rear head/leg room: 35.3/29.4 inches
Length/wheelbase: 142.9/91.4 inches
Height/width: 66.3/74.1* including mirrors
Curb weight: 2,952 pounds
Turning circle: 31.5 feet
FEATURES
Standard equipment includes: keyless entry with push-button ignition, 6-way manual driver seat, 4-way manual front passenger seat, 6-speaker audio system with Uconnect5 Nav system with 10.35-inch touchscreen display, 7-inch color gauge display, center armrest console (leather covered), power windows, wireless charging pad with USB port, front floor mats with “500” logo, power side mirrors with red caps, LED (automatic) headlights (low and high beam), LED taillights, trunk light, rear window washer and wiper, and 50/50 split-folding back seat.
Safety features include: 7 air bags, electronic stability control, drowsy driver detection, Intelligent Speed Assist, Lane-Departure Warning Plus, ParkSense rear park-assist system, and ParkView rear back-up camera.
CHASSIS COMPONENTS
Brakes: front vented rotors 11.6-inches; rear drums 7.9 inches
Steering: Electric power steering; 31.5-foot turning circle
Tires-wheels: 17-inch Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season, 205/45; gloss black with diamond finish
Suspension: front MacPherson struts; rear twist-beam axle
PRICING
Base price: $34,095, including $1,595 freight charge; price as tested $34,095
Where assembled: Mirafiori Assembly Plant, Turin, Italy
Warranties: 4-years/50,000-miles bumper to bumper; 8-years/100,000-miles electric powertrain; 8-years/100,000-miles high-voltage battery (10-years/150,000-miles in California); 8-years/100,000-miles roadside assistance.
