The Fiat 500e is a two-door, pure electric hatchback offered as a standalone by Fiat Chrysler. This car is sleek, compact, and fun to drive. It also produces zero emissions, making it one of the best EVs on the market. But is Fiat 500 a good car?
The Fiat 500e is a good car for people who desire a zero-emission, compact, and efficient EV. However, it still lacks in many sectors compared to its rivals, and that’s why it has not recorded many sales since it was launched in 2013. The interior is cramped and cheaply made. What’s more, it has a short range, which may not be desirable to many people.
History of Fiat 500e
Fit 500 is part of the 500 series. But unlike its siblings, it is not powered by an internal combustion engine, but by a dedicated battery. This car was made between 2013 and 2019. It is also crucial to note that the car was sold in the states of Oregon and California as a “compliance” car to earn clean energy credits for Fiat.
Unfortunately, Fiat discontinued the production of the Fiat 500e and 500-series in North America. This is because of the low sales that were reported over the last few years.
Features of Fiat 500e
Appearance
The Fiat 500e is beautifully designed and comes with a retro style. It also has several exceptional features, such as the 15-inch painted aluminum wheels, bi-function halogen projector headlamps, power heated side mirrors, and daytime running lamps. While the exterior looks spectacular, the interior is somewhat lacking.
Performance
The Fiat 500e is powered by an 83-kWh electric motor that generates more than 111 hp and 147 lb-ft of torque. It also features a front-wheel-drive system with a single-speed automatic transmission. With such power, this car delivers a top speed of up to 93 mph and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 8.2 seconds.
Comfort and cargo space
The Fiat 500e is lacking when it comes to cabin space and looks. Most of the materials used are inferior compared to its competitors. So, if you plan seating in the rear, you won’t be comfortable as it is cramped. Additionally, it has a small cargo area, measuring 7.0 cubic feet of space.
Range
This is one of the weaknesses of the Fiat 500e. While most of its competitors have a range of over 100 miles, the Fiat 500e comes with a range of up to 84 miles. Aside from that, the regenerative brakes do, in most scenarios, utilize 100% of their regenerative capabilities down to the 8th mph to maximize the car’s efficiency.
However, you can still improve its range with the 42-kWh battery pack in the range-topper, which will improve the range from 84 miles to 199 miles. Nonetheless, the drivers should be able to clock over 250 miles while driving in the city.
Safety
Like most Fiat 500 series models, the Fiat 500e is also very safe and reliable. It boasts several top safety features like airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, anti-whiplash, and pretensioners.
Price
The Fiat 500e is one of the most affordable compact EVs on the market. It has an MSRP of $33,210, excluding tax, registration, licensing, and Fiat’s $1,495 destination charge. However, it also features a normative $7,250 rebate and buyers qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.
It is also vital to note that California buyers qualify for the Clean Vehicle Rebate of up to $4,500. With all these factors, the Fiat 500e is among the most affordable EVs on the market.
FAQ
Is it worth buying the Fiat 500e?
If you compare it to its rivals, you will find that the Fiat 500e is lacking in many areas. The only outstanding feature that this car offers better than most of its rivals is zero-emissions. But when it comes to range, performance, comfort, reliability, and style, most of its competitors are better.
All in all, the Fiat 500e is still a fantastic and economical car for daily city driving. It is also cheaper to maintain than other Fiat models on the market.
How fast is the Fiat 500e?
The Fiat 500e is not a high-performance car, but it is faster than most of its competitors. This car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 8.2 seconds. On top of that, it has a top speed of 93 mph, which is one of the best in its class.
What are the common problems with the Fiat 500e?
The Fiat 500e is a compact, efficient, reliable, stylish, and compact electric city car. However, it also has some common problems that users ought to know about. These include software issues, battery problems, charging issues, transmission problems, and electrical problems.
How much is the Fiat 500e battery?
If the battery on your Fiat 500e is outdated or damaged and you want to replace it, you will have to spend a lot. On average, the cost of labor only will cost you between $352 and $444. On the other hand, you will have to pay around $29,750 for parts. Note that this does not include taxes or fees.
Is Fiat 500e better than Volkswagen e-Golf and Nissan Leaf?
No, the Fiat 500e is not better than the Volkswagen e-Golf or the Nissan Leaf. This is because both cars offer better performance, more reliable cars, exceptional comfort, and are more powerful than the Fiat 500e. The Volkswagen e-Golf delivers a maximum of 134 hp, while the Nissan Leaf delivers up to 147 hp. On the contrary, the Fiat 500e provides 111 hp only.
When it comes to range, the Volkswagen e-Golf provides up to 125 miles, while the Nissan Leaf provides up to 150 miles. These two are better than the Fiat 500e with a range of 84 miles. Despite offering fewer superior features than its competitors, the Fiat 500e ($33,210) is costlier than Volkswagen e-Golf ($31,895), and Nissan Leaf ($27,400).
Final thoughts
The Fiat 500e may be one of the most reliable Fiat models on the market, but it still lacks behind in many categories compared to its competition. It has one of the shortest ranges and the interior is also lacking. Additionally, it is not very powerful and carries a handful of luggage.
Generally, the Fiat 500e is still an economical car and produces zero emissions. It is also affordable and ideal for driving within the city.
