The 2024 Fiat 500e is a small electric three-door hatchback that looks remarkably similar to the previous Fiat 500, sold in the US from the 2012 to 2019 model years. It is offered only as a battery-electric vehicle (hence with an “e”), at least for now. But Fiat plans to market it as a fashion accessory in the same way as a small, practical, short-range electric car.
We drove the 500e through Miami traffic for three hours last week, giving us a chance to experience one of its strengths: quick urban driving. While it doesn’t have the rocket ship acceleration of some electric vehicles, it’s powerful enough — and small enough to sneak into spaces that even compact SUVs can’t manage.
Sadly, we weren’t able to test whether the new 500e holds up Fun and exciting handling Its predecessor, the 2013-2019 500e, was sold only in California and Oregon. Miami is completely flat and remarkably congested. We had exactly one big curve on the on-ramp above the freeway; it did well. But until we took it into some proper hills and turns, we couldn’t fully examine its driving behavior.
Overall, the 500e is a fun little EV at a reasonable price: The base ‘Red’ model starts at $34,095. Its EPA-rated range of 149 miles may cause some shoppers to consider it more seriously. Given its small size and range, Fiat execs are being realistic when they say the new 500e is “not going to be a sales leader” – meaning it could be rare in some region of the country. Instead, the car will “test and find out what Fiat wants in the US”
Fiat 500e 2024
Fiat 500e 2024
Fiat 500e 2024
Immediately, it is obvious that it is a Fiat 500
The new 2024 Fiat 500e is immediately identified as the Fiat 500. Slightly larger than the previous generation—2.4 inches longer, 2.2 inches wider—it has the same upright coupe silhouette and short nose , fat. The front end has a similar “mustache” shape, however the round headlights are actually semi-circular at the front of the car with a bright arc cut into the hood to complete the shape. Larger wheels with fairly low-profile tires, now 17 inches compared to the previous model’s 15 inches, keep the Fiat proportionately small but give it a more grown-up feel.
Inside, the interior is mainly made of black plastic with the Fiat logo repeated in the gray seat cushions. Most plastics are hard, not soft to the touch, although textured to make them a bit more stylish. The red plastic on our red test car’s dashboard is reminiscent of the original 500’s metal dashboard, updated to meet safety regulations that didn’t exist 60 years ago. .
Fiat 500e 2024
A 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster is standard, as is a 10.3-inch center touchscreen with UConnect 5 radio. Driving modes and radio volume controls are on the center console.
The 2024 Fiat 500e will never replace a family SUV, but that’s not meant to be. It makes a perfectly fine second car, commuter car or perhaps primary vehicle for a single driver or a couple living in tight urban areas.
500e range and acceleration: Good for the city
Battery capacity is 42 kilowatt-hours (usable 37 kwh), using Samsung batteries made in Poland. It powers an 87-kilowatt (117-horsepower) motor driving the front wheels, with a torque rating of 162 lb-ft. The new 500e does not have a front trunk; The space under the hood is occupied by the 12-volt battery, charging equipment, power electronics and, of course, the motor.
Fiat 500e 2024
Obviously Fiat could drop the transverse engine and transmission into space if they wanted to. Rumors suggest it will. But for now, the 2024 500 is electric only.
There is no “Start” or “power” button; The vehicle is ready to move when the driver gets out and fastens the seat belt. Park, Reverse, Stop or Drive are selected using flat black buttons on the lower edge of the center console (below the convenient phone charging pocket). A “surprise and delight” feature that Fiat is very proud of: at speeds below 20 mph, the car will sound the mandatory pedestrian warning. But the first time it exceeds 20 mph, it plays a custom musical theme that Fiat calls “Song of the 500.” It’s hard to hear even with the windows open (driving next to a solid concrete wall helps reflect sound back), but it’s definitely there.
Fiat claims a 0 to 60 mph time of 8.5 seconds, but a 0 to 30 mph time that might be more useful for urban racing is just 3.1 seconds. Overall, it’s perfectly suited for urban use — although we can’t help but wonder about an Abarth version that might be much more powerful and fun. Fiat executives firmly state that there is nothing to talk about in that regard today. Top speed is 94 mph.
Fiat 500e 2024
It has three driving modes: Normal, Range and Sherpa. Normal makes electric vehicles behave like an internal combustion engine car, with low regenerative braking.
Then there’s Range, which increases recuperation and allows one-pedal driving to a stop — if you’ve got the space. We found the 500e’s regenerative braking to be quite gentle. It takes a little practice to learn when to lift the car to slow it down until it stops; The first few times it slowed down leisurely, we stepped on the brakes to avoid the car in front. This can all be learned, but stronger EVs come with stronger regeneration—this doesn’t happen here.
Finally, Sherpa mode is equivalent to Eco mode, reducing power from 87 kw (117 hp) to 67 kw (90 hp), turning off all heating and cooling (you can turn it back on ) and limits top speed to a little more than 50 mph. Sherpa mode isn’t as bad as you might imagine, as long as you drive it aggressively — and don’t need to go more than 50 mph.
While performance is adequate, the car still excels in tight spaces. With a turning circle of just 31.5 feet, you can easily sneak into small parking spaces. And at just 2,950 pounds (50 pounds lighter than the previous, smaller 500e), it doesn’t feel heavy behind the wheel.
Fiat 500e 2024
Fiat 500e 2024
Fiat 500e 2024
The 500e has room for two adults, two elves and one drink
To enter the 500e, simply pull the electric trigger below the door “handle” slot. Beginners must know that to get out of the car, they must press the round button on the door armrest to release the electric latch. Once inside, drivers will find themselves sitting high enough on the battery pack that they feel less vulnerable than they would in a lower car of the same size. Turns out, Stellantis’s head of interior design is 6’8″ tall—and he fits the 500, which means there’s plenty of headroom.
The rear seats have a cup holder in the middle of the lower cushion, emphasizing the car’s (nominal) four-seater designation. While its back seat is larger than the previous generation’s, that’s relative: You still won’t be able to fit four US-sized adults inside for anything but a penalty.
Upright seating and good outward visibility thanks to the short, raked nose help the car appear more present from the inside than it does on the street. It’s only when looking at the tiny sun visor or “humble” panel that covers a 5-inch slot that displays the contents of the load bay that the 500e’s small size is reinforced. However, the rear seatbacks do not fold flat; they just lean forward.
Fiat 500e 2024
One major flaw in the new 500e’s interior: There’s only a single cupholder that folds down into the tunnel from the base of the dashboard. If you’re carrying a passenger who’s also drinking a cup of coffee, one of you is out of luck. The Fiat team assured us that they are aware of this and are working on a quick fix. However, it seems like a foolish oversight, as the previous 500e had two of them — and Fiat has had four years since the European version was released to address this issue.
Neither NHTSA nor IIHS has yet rated the 2024 Fiat 500e for crash safety, and because vehicle numbers are likely to be low, those ratings likely won’t appear for some time. The new Fiat has seven airbags and a range of automated driver assistance systems including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist and blind-spot and pedestrian warning.
The 500e’s adaptive cruise control system will operate at 0 mph once you learn it; the vehicle reads and displays speed limit signs; and it will also read and display other traffic signs when cruise control is activated. Fiat promises “ADAS Level 2” on “Inspired” trim levels—which means some level of active lane control along with that, as long as the driver stays attentive—but we weren’t able to test it. tested those models, so we can’t weigh in on how it performs.
Fiat 500e 2024
Special edition “water drops”—like sneakers
The base Fiat 500e model for 2024 is the ‘Red’ version. Available in the actual exterior colors of red, white and black, the ‘Red’ label refers to a charity that supports Red Products, raising money to fund HIV and AIDS research.. In addition to the exterior color , the 500e ‘Red Model’ comes with only one choice: Goodyear summer tires or Pirelli all-season tires.
Fiat has relied on the idea of the 500 electric car as a style icon and fashion accessory. According to Fiat’s North American brand head, Aamir Ahmed, the company will announce limited edition “drops” two or three times per year, available for a short time only – repeating successfully used models. for high fashion sneakers and others. Goods. Video ads featuring Spike Lee, Giancarlo Esposito and other icons reinforce the stylistic approach.
The first two special editions are “Inspired by Beauty” (Rose Gold) and “Inspired by Music” (Tuxedo Black edition, which adds a seven-speaker JBL sound system with the sound characteristics of four ‘virtual locations’). ‘ is built in). They can be ordered today and delivered in the third quarter.
The ‘Red’ version of the 2024 Fiat 500e has a base price of $32,500 plus a mandatory destination charge of $1,595, for a base price of $34,095. The “inspired” versions add $3,500 to that. Its closest competitor is Cooper SE, also a three-door hatchback, with a range of just 114 miles. With Chevrolet Bolt EV scope is now defunct, Kia Niro EV And Hyundai Kona Electric A little more expensive, but both have four doors and a range of more than 200 miles.
Fiat 500e 2024
Small car, big charger
Despite its small battery, the 500e can fast charge at up to 85 kilowatts, so charging from 0 to 80 percent can take as little as 35 minutes under ideal conditions. Home charging capability via an 11 kW Level 2 station will take six hours for a charge from 0 to 100 percent. On a standard 120-volt wall outlet, the 500e will charge from 5 to 100 percent in 37 hours. The charging port is located in the right rear corner and the charging cord is located under the cargo floor.
Fiat will offer buyers the choice of a Level 2 charging station (buyers pay to have it installed) or $600 in free charging via networks that are part of the Stellantis Free2Move system (though participating networks are in the U.S. not yet announced).
There’s no heat pump, although the cabin is small enough that resistance heating may not be as power-hungry as in larger vehicles. Heated seats are offered, but there’s no heated steering wheel.
Fiat 500e 2024
All 2024 Fiat 500e cars are built at the company’s Mirafiori plant outside Turin—as shown in the molding inside the armrest inside each door, which reads “Made in Torino” with a Shadow of an original 500. That means they don’t qualify for the U.S. federal purchase incentive, although leasing the car restores the full credit. The 500e is still eligible for many state and local incentives.
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Fiat provided airfare, accommodations and meals to enable Green Car Report to bring you this first-person driving report.
