- Doors and Seats
3 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
Perm Magnet, LI
- Engine Power
NA
- Fuel
15h 15m chg, 311km range
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Red'n Gear
- Warranty
3 Yr, 150000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
4/5 star (2021)
2023 Fiat 500e review: Australian first drive
With cute-factor off the charts, the all-new Fiat 500e electric city car is sure to appeal to a certain niche of buyer.
2023 Fiat 500e La Prima
What would Dante say?
Dante Giacosa, the godfather of 1957’s original Fiat 500, passed away in 1996, safe in the knowledge his inspired design for a city car had already attained iconic status.
That original 500 featured a tiny rear-mounted 479cc two-cylinder engine good for 9.7kW. But thanks to the Cinquecento’s kerb weight of just 499kg, fuel consumption was rated at a miserly 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres; a number that would still be considered excellent today.
Dante would almost certainly recognise the 2023 Fiat 500e were he alive today. Despite having grown in stature, today’s Cinquecento is unmistakably born of Giacosa’s original 500.
What Giacosa might struggle to recognise, though, is the 500e’s source of power, an 87kW/220Nm electric motor fed by a 42kWh battery array.
Yes, the 2023 Fiat 500e is an electric car. It’s not the first from Fiat, however, that distinction belonging to 1990’s Panda Elettra which, the company claims, was the “first electric car to be mass-produced by a major world manufacturer”. It remained in production from 1990–98, but it was heavy, underpowered (14kW) and with a top speed of 70km/h and a range of just 100km, was never really going to upset the internal-combustion applecart.
Now, Fiat’s push to electric mobility takes its funkiest car and imbues it with the “reincarnation of the 500 spirit,” according to one senior Fiat executive.
Certainly, its cute retro styling should appeal to a cohort of style-driven buyers. Those who may previously have baulked at the idea of an electric car because of their edgy styling and futuristic bent. Instead, the Fiat 500e brings all the hallmarks that have made the internal combustion Fiat 500 such a popular city car.
How much does the Fiat 500e cost in Australia?
Australia will get just one highly specified variant of Fiat's unashamedly style-focused electric car.
In Australia, the Fiat 500e La Prima starts from $52,500 before on-road costs. That makes it the most expensive Fiat passenger vehicle ever sold in Australia, and almost double the $27,220 plus on-road costs asked for the range-topping petrol-powered Fiat 500 Dolcevita. It's also over $16,000 more than the Fiat 500-derived Abarth 695 Competizione hot hatch. An Abarth 500e electric hot hatch variant is expected in Australia next year.
Overseas markets get more affordable and less-specified variants of the 500e, while a 'convertible' variant with the 500's signature canvas roll-top roof is also available. There has been no word on whether these models will make their way to Australia.
Powering the Fiat 500e in Australia is a single electric motor with 87kW and 220Nm, driving the front wheels with a 42kWh battery pack for a modest claimed 0–100km/h acceleration time of 9.0 seconds. Fiat claims a 311km electric driving range, while DC fast charging at a maximum rate of 85kW will see the battery replenished from zero to 80 per cent in about 35 minutes, according to Fiat's claim.
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That $50,000–$60,000 price bracket throws the 500e into a battle with several already established electric cars, even if they are all larger and with longer driving ranges. The GWM Ora Extended Range starts at $45,990 plus on-road costs, while the MG 4 Essence Long Range with its 77kWh battery gets underway from $55,990 before on-road costs.
Perhaps the 500e's most obvious rival, certainly in terms of making a style statement, is the Mini Cooper SE, but it's priced at $64,975 for the Mini Yours variant, the brand having killed off its previous entry-level eponymous variant that was priced closer to the 500e at $55,650 (plus on-road costs).
Certainly, the 500e represents a step up over the petrol model in terms of equipment (and pricing!). Standard on Australian models are LED headlights with daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels (the first time the 500, any 500, has been offered with 17s), a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation, heated front seats, 'eco leather' (man-made) seat trim, a panoramic glass roof, and front and rear parking sensors.
Also, for the first time in a 500, a comprehensive suite of advanced safety systems is standard. Autonomous emergency braking, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring are all bundled in. A notable omission is rear cross-traffic alert.
The only available options are metallic paint ($700) and tri-coat Celestial Blue paint for $1600.
Key details | 2023 Fiat 500e La Prima |
Price | $52,500 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Rose Gold |
Options | Metallic paint – $700 |
Price as tested | $53,200 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $56,279 (in NSW) |
Rivals | GWM Ora | MG 4 Essence | Mini Cooper SE |
How much space does the Fiat 500e have inside?
The Fiat 500e has lost none of the charm that has made the petrol version such a cornerstone of Italian culture.
Being an all-new platform, designed specifically for the 500e, this car has grown in stature of the 500 with which it shares its looks and style and not much else. Some 96 per cent of the components in the 500e are all-new, and it's visually larger than its petrol counterpart. That pays dividends inside where there is noticeably more room for occupants.
And there are plenty of quality materials throughout, not least of all the man-made leather that appoints the seats. Only one interior colour is being offered in Australia, so you’d better like the beige colour on offer. I do, the cabin feeling as light and breezy as an August afternoon in Positano.
At a glance, the quilted pattern on the seats adds some visual flair. Look closer, though, and you’ll find the quilting has been stitched out in a repeated pattern of the vintage ‘Fiat’ logo. Love it.
There are other Easter eggs, too, such as the embossed silhouette of the original 500 and the statement ‘Made in Torino’ found deep inside the door handle recess.
Fiat says it’s addressed some of the ergonomic quirks (failings) of the 2007-generation 500, which was always compromised when it came to driving comfort. That’s why the 500e is fitted with manually adjustable seats, while the steering wheel can be adjusted for tilt and reach. Finding a comfortable driving position was a cinch – not something I would ever say about the old one.
Storage? There’s a pop-out cupholder down low on the floor accessed by pressing a tab on the front of the centre console. It’s an ergonomic misstep, the positioning too low for comfortable use.
There are door pockets and a modest central storage bin for your keys wallets and other smaller items.
The second row is never going to be spacious, but it’s okay just behind my driving position. But it’s not ideal as a family car. Entering and exiting the second row is an exercise in careful contortion, and from past experience, straining a little one into a baby seat or capsule is, while not impossible exactly, certainly difficult. Still, ADRs insist on ISOFIX and top tether points. Younger kids who don't need a fitted restraint will fit just fine, however. Think of the 500e as a two-seater with two backup seats, just in case.
Boot space is, as you'd expect from a city-sized car, on the small side, rated at 185 litres. That does expand to a handy 550L with the second row seats folded away in 50:50-split fashion. There is no storage under the bonnet, the space where the petrol engine would normally go filled by electric motor and ancillaries.
And there is no spare wheel and tyre, with just a tyre repair kit standing between you and a call to your local roadside assist.
2023 Fiat 500e La Prima | |
Seats | Four |
Boot volume | 185L seats up 550L seats folded |
Length | 3632mm |
Width | 1683mm |
Height | 1527mm |
Wheelbase | 2322mm |
Does the Fiat 500e have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
A sleek 10.25-inch touchscreen hosts wireless (and wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, as well as DAB+ digital radio and satellite navigation.
A wireless charging pad is located under the piano-style keys that control the 500e's climate functions. Good on Fiat for sticking with traditional switches and not burying climate inside the touchscreen.
Two USB points, one each of Type-A and Type-C, both up front, provide some additional phone charging options. There are no USB points in the second row.
The 7.0-inch digital driver display, housed in a circular frame designed to mimic the original 500's central dial, provides a good range of driving data while adding a classic vibe to the cabin.
A six-speaker sound system provides adequate audio quality.
Is the Fiat 500e a safe car?
The Fiat 500e wears a four-star ANCAP safety rating awarded in 2021 based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP.
It scored 78 per cent for adult occupant protection and 79 per cent child occupant, but its relatively low scores for vulnerable road user protection (67 per cent) and safety assist systems (also 67 per cent) brought its overall rating down.
2023 Fiat 500e La Prima | |
ANCAP rating | Four stars (tested 2021) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Fiat 500e have?
A decent suite of active safety assistance systems is bundled into the Fiat 500e.
Autonomous emergency braking (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring are all standard. So too are front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera.
There is no rear cross-traffic warning, however, a commonplace feature in today's automotive landscape.
The airbag count runs to six, although ANCAP noted the omission of the increasingly standard centre airbag that deploys between the seats and mitigates head clashes in the event of an accident.
How much does the Fiat 500e cost to maintain?
Fiat covers the 500e with a three-year/150,000km warranty, which is underwhelming in today's market where five years and unlimited kilometres are increasingly the norm. The battery itself is covered by Fiat's eight-year/160,000km warranty. Three years of roadside assistance is included.
Servicing intervals are scheduled every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and pricing is capped at $250 per visit to the workshop for the first eight years.
We were unable to source a quote for comprehensive insurance, thanks mainly to the newness of the Fiat 500e to the Australian market.
At a glance | 2023 Fiat 500e La Prima |
Warranty | Three years, 150,000km Eight years, 160,000km (high-voltage battery) |
Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
Servicing costs | $750 (3 years) $1250 (5 years) |
Is the Fiat 500e energy-efficient?
With 311km of claimed driving range, the Fiat 500e should have more than enough in the tank for a week's worth of city commuting. It's estimated the average Australian car travels just over 12,000km a year, making for a daily average of around 33km. On that metric, the 500e nails a week of daily driving.
Fiat reckons the 500e will use 14.4kWh of energy for every 100km travelled. Our launch route, encompassing a variety of driving conditions – from hilly suburban traffic to flat stretches of high-speed road – returned an indicated 13.7kWh/100km. That's a decent return against Fiat's claim.
Replenishing the battery from zero to 80 per cent at a maximum rate of 85kWh on a fast charger will take just 35 minutes, according to Fiat. We weren't able to test against that claim during our launch drive.
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Energy Efficiency | Energy Stats |
Energy cons. (claimed) | 14.4kWh/100km |
Energy cons. (on test) | 13.7kWh/100km |
Battery size | 42kWh |
Driving range claim (WLTP) | 311km |
Charge time (11kW) | 4h 15min |
Charge time (85kW max rate) | 35min (claimed 0–80%) |
What is the Fiat 500e like to drive?
Driving is as you’d expect from a small electric car. There’s that zippiness from take-off EVs are renowned for, and there is a brittle edge to the ride they’re also known for. You can’t beat physics, and the weight of 42kWh of battery makes itself known over road imperfections and speed bumps.
But there’s a lot to like, though, with an engaging amount of performance, certainly at city speeds to keep you smiling. The raw numbers don't stand out on paper. But raw numbers also don't paint a complete picture.
A single electric motor with 87kW and 220Nm doesn't scream zing. Nor does a 0–100km/h time of 9.0 seconds. But what the numbers don't reveal is just how zingy the 500e is in getting up to city speeds. A single-speed reduction gear sends drive to the front wheels.
With every single one of 220Nm on song from the moment you touch the accelerator, the move away from standstill is impressively sharp. We'll run the numbers for 0–60km/h when we get the 500e through the Drive garage, and we'd argue that lesser-known benchmark is more pertinent when it comes to a city car, even an electric one, like the Fiat 500e.
There are three selectable drive modes. Normal, which is as normal does, while Range focuses on feeding electrons back into the battery – and thereby adding to available range – via its regenerative braking system.
And then there is the curiously named Sherpa mode, which according to Fiat, "acts like a Himalayan Sherpa and always gets you home" by limiting top speed to 80km/h and powering down climate controls in order to maximise driving range.
The ambience inside the cabin is standard EV fare with a light, constant hum that is barely audible. One of Fiat's Easter eggs forms part of the 500e's Acoustic Alert, which warns pedestrians of an approaching electric car at speeds up to 20km/h. Most brands opt for some kind of electronic hum or audible beeping. Not so Fiat, which takes its Italian heritage seriously, the 500e's Audible Alert coming in the form of a piece of music from the 1973 Federico Fellini movie, Amarcord.
While the ride at slower speeds on some of Sydney's scrappier roads did prove to be a little firm, things soften up once speeds climb and road surfaces become smoother, the almost 1300kg electric hatchback absorbing minor bumps with a level of comfort. Only larger hits, such as speed humps, serve to highlight the downside of having an array of heavy batteries under the floor. But ultimately the ride is no better or worse than plenty of small cars with internal combustion engines we've tested.
The Fiat 500e's brakes are good; discs up front and what Fiat calls 'e-Drums' at rear. Pedal feel is progressive and on the money. You can, of course, opt for single-pedal driving, meaning the car will come to a complete stop when you lift off the accelerator without you having to touch the brake pedal, all while harvesting some crucial electrons for the battery and thus maximising range.
While our launch drive didn't allow for a full assessment of Fiat's claimed 311km range, we did find the 500e's indicated usage was on a par with distance travelled, i.e. driving for 50km would consume around 50km of range.
Just like an internal combustion car, energy consumption varies depending on driving conditions. In an electric car, it's an inverse equation, with motorway cruising at highway speeds using more energy, while stop-start traffic and slow speeds use less while also helping to replenish the battery.
And that's the Fiat 500e's ideal home. An urban electric runabout that offers enough zip at lower speeds to make navigating inner-city enclaves easy and enjoyable, while also sitting comfortably on the highway.
Key details | 2023 Fiat 500e La Prima |
Engine | Permanent magnet electric motor |
Power | 87kW |
Torque | 220Nm |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
Transmission | Single-speed |
Power-to-weight ratio | 67.4kW/t |
Weight (tare) | 1290kg |
Spare tyre type | Tyre repair kit |
Turning circle | 9.7m |
Should I buy a Fiat 500e?
When Dante Giacosa came up with his original design for the Fiat 500 back in the early 1950s, little would he have known he'd also created the ideal template for a 21st century car.
However, it's hard to get past its $52,500 price tag, which sees it square off against a cohort of more practical city-focussed electric cars with arguably better features and certainly greater driving range. We'd love to see a more affordable and perhaps a little more basic variant of the 500e make its way to local showrooms. We reckon that would broaden this charismatic city car's appeal.
But the Fiat 500e La Prima remains a compact, charming, and stylish electric car. The ideal modern vehicle for a certain niche of buyers. We reckon Dante would approve.
How do I buy a Fiat 500e – next steps?
The Fiat 500e is a charming and stylish electric city car with plenty of features and a sense of urban style. There is only one variant for now. Those looking for a bit more performance might want to wait for the hot-hatch Abarth 500e that is due locally next year.
Stock levels in Australia for the 500e are good, with Fiat confirming there is another shipment making its way to dealerships soon. Check your local Fiat dealership for availability.
The next steps on the purchase journey are to check the Fiat website for stock. You can also find Fiats for sale at Drive.com.au/cars-for-sale.
We strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership before committing because personal needs and tastes can differ. Find your nearest Fiat dealer via this link.
If you want to stay updated with everything that's happened to this car since our review, you'll find all the latest news here.