Preview: 2024 Fiat 500e Is a Tiny EV With Italian Flair

With so few small cars on the market, it’s always good to see a new entry. Still, we’re not quite sure how the new electric 500 will fare in the U.S. Across Europe, where gas is expensive and small cars are more practical, the new 500e sells for around $30,000. That isn’t cheap for such a small car, but across the pond it is also frequently offered on a long-term rental or subscription basis. In the U.S., the fact that the new electric Fiat is imported from Italy means it’s unlikely to qualify for federal tax credits that bring down the price. Fiat does note that it may be eligible for state incentives. Its main competitor will probably be the 2025 Mini Cooper E, a low-range EV meant for around-town fun, or it might be a Vespa alternative for those who are done commuting on two wheels.

The previous, gas-powered Fiat 500 was offered in the U.S. from 2012 through the 2019 model year. The car had quirky charm, but it was saddled with notable shortcomings involving ride, noise, controls, driving position, and fit and finish—not to mention its cramped rear seat and cargo space. Even the fuel economy was unimpressive at 28 mpg overall in our tests, which was less than many roomier cars. An electric version was sold in limited volumes to meet requirements for selling EVs in select markets. But times have changed. Today, EVs have become table stakes for automakers, and the next 500e is expected to be more widely offered. How well it is received depends on how it performs. We look forward to taking it for a spin.

Even though the Fiat 500 has been redesigned since its last appearance in the U.S., its cheerful face and tiny size make it instantly recognizable. And at under 12 feet long, there’s not a parking spot in the country the 500 won’t fit in. 

In Europe, the 500e is offered with a unique “3+1” door configuration. These have a clamshell door on one side—somewhat like the Saturn Ion and Mazda RX-8 of the mid-2000s or the more recent Mazda MX-30—and a single, large coupe-style door on the other. We’re not sure if this body style is coming to the U.S., nor do we know whether a convertible will be offered.

When Fiat announced it was bringing the 500e back to the U.S. at the 2022 LA Auto Show, the automaker also showed off three flashy concepts from well-known fashion and design brands. We don’t expect the 500e to show up at Fiat dealers upholstered in vintage Bulgari silk scarves the way the concept car was kitted out at the auto show, but we do expect the brand to play up the car’s iconic looks. If you’re looking for a budget runabout, you’ll probably have to look elsewhere. Even in Europe, the 500e comes with a decent amount of standard equipment, including keyless entry and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

No matter how it’s equipped, the cabin looks much more modern, eschewing retro-inspired gauges and controls for a contemporary look. This includes a push-button gear selector below a 10.25-inch touchscreen, which is running a version of Stellantis’ latest UConnect infotainment system. And because it doesn’t have the bulky drivetrain of a gas-powered vehicle, there’s an impressive amount of open space on the floor between the two front seats. In back, there are two tiny rear seats and enough room for a few grocery bags behind them.

The last 500e had a tiny 80-mile range, and it was mostly offered to help the automaker meet California’s zero-emissions vehicle requirements. The new 500e is said to have 149 miles of range on a single charge, and will take just 5 minutes to add 30 miles of range when plugged into a public 85-kilowatt DC fast-charging station.

The 500e has 118 horsepower—rather meager by current standards for gas-only cars and EVs. The small size and 162 lb.-ft. of torque combine for a 8.5-second 0-60 mph run, according to Fiat.

The new 500e has automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane keeping assistance.

European models boast the option to engage “one pedal” driving, where the driver can lift off the accelerator and the car will use regenerative braking to slow down.