It was an EV conversion of the internal combustion 500 of 2007 - 2024 Fiat 500e Review
0Overview
Stellantis is preparing to make Fiat showrooms cute again with the reintroduction of the 500 city car for the 2024 model year. This time around, the two-door hatchback will be offered only in electric 500e guise, likely powered by a 117-hp electric motor juiced by a 32.3-kWh battery pack. This setup is already on sale in Europe, where it carries a driving range estimate of up to 199 miles per charge—a number we expect to shrink slightly when the EPA does its testing for America. The 500e retains its retro-modern appeal but with an updated exterior and interior that should help its stylish appeal. A large 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system will likely run the Uconnect 5 software interface, and interior materials appear to have taken a big step up from the overly plasticky cabin of the previous-generation car. When the 500e goes on sale in 2024, it will face stiff competition from other EVs that offer more interior space and longer driving ranges, but like the gasoline-powered model that relaunched the Fiat brand in the U.S. in 2011, the new 500e's hopes are pinned on it winning buyers over with its adorable looks and Italian charm.
What's New for 2024?
The 500e is new for 2024 after taking a break from the U.S. market since the 2019 model year. A production version is scheduled to bow at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show and will go on sale in the first quarter of 2024.
It's too early to guess what trim levels the 2024 500e will be offered in, but if it mirrors that of the 500X SUV, we should see an entry-level Pop trim and a stylish Sport. When we find out more about the 500e's pricing and standard features, we'll update this story with those details and a recommendation on which one to buy.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
Fiat hasn't disclosed what will power the 500e when it goes on sale in North America, but it's likely to use the higher-powered 117-hp electric motor from the European version. Front-wheel drive will likely be the only option and we're not holding our breath for Tesla-like acceleration. The last-generation 500e came with a 111-hp electric motor and needed 8.4 seconds to hit 60 mph in our testing. The new model should offer similar performance. When we get a chance, we'll take the new 500e on a test drive and update this story with driving impressions.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
In other parts of the world, the 500e is offered with one of two battery packs, the larger of which offers up to 199 miles of driving per the European WLTP cycle's estimates. We think that will be a difficult number to hit in real-world driving in America and expect an EPA range of closer to 150 miles per charge if Fiat offers that same battery pack in the U.S. variant of the car.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Although it's still roughly the same size and shape as the last-generation 500e, the new model's interior looks more upscale and features more contemporary technology. Three fashionable concepts shown at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show give a look at what Fiat can do to increase the car's style quotient, although we doubt any one of them will make it to production. The car will likely be offered in hatchback and convertible forms, the latter featuring a cloth roof that retracts while leaving the roof's side pillars in place. In Europe, Fiat sells a model with a novel 3+1 door layout, where a small half door opens on the passenger's side to aid entry to the rear seat. It's unclear if that model will make it to the United States.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The Fiat 500e will likely come with a large 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and more modern software than the last model. A digital gauge display is also likely to be standard, with readouts for not only speed but also state of charge for the battery. Fiat hasn't released a full list of the 500e's standard and optional features, but we expect to see wireless smartphone charging on the menu as well as in-dash navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
As more information becomes available, we'll update this story with more details about:
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage