2023 Fiat 500e review: Quick drive

It would seem to me, even in Australia, that the small, city car class is the segment that makes the most sense to the most buyers when it comes to electric vehicles. Certainly at the present time when the charging infrastructure hasn’t taken hold.

When your primary concern is city practicality, the fear of range anxiety, and issues associated with long-distance touring are replaced by how easy the car is to work your way around the city and park, how practical the interior space can be, and whether the powertrain is engaging on a day-to-day basis.

Fiat’s 500e has been a subject of interest in Australia since its international launch three years ago – namely whether we’d be able to buy one in Australia. Fiat Australia has since confirmed range and pricing, and the chance to test one in the city in Italy sheds light on its practicality and usability. Pricing for the 500e La Prima will start from $52,500 before on-road costs in Australia. Expect the drive-away price to sit in the $55,000 region.

In Australia, we’ll only get the regular hatch, but in Europe there’s a cabriolet, as well as a clever three-door version with a small reverse-opening door behind the passenger-side front door that makes getting into and out of the back seat a lot easier.

Cute, retro styling that has undoubtedly nailed the brief, value for money and a fun driving experience are the hallmarks of the internal combustion Fiat 500. An integral part of the character of that 500 though, is the petrol engine, especially when driven through a manual gearbox. Rev happy, full of character, and efficient, it’s been a success with devotees around the world. Now, 15 years after its initial launch, there’s a new 500 on the block.

The 500e swaps that petrol-powered personality for a 42kWh battery pack, single electric motor offering 87kW and 220Nm, and FWD. Typical of the Fiat 500 brief, the 0-100km/h run is less of a focus, with a time of 9.0 seconds. Fiat claims a range of 311km, and 85kW charging capability, meaning you’ll be able to power from zero to 80 percent in approximately 35 minutes at the maximum rate.

We’re testing on the streets of Torino the range-topping La Prima model, which is the variant we will get from launch in Australia. Standard equipment highlights include 17-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with proprietary satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, panoramic glass sunroof, front and rear parking sensors, eco-leather seat trim and heated front seats. Extensive use of recycled sea plastic features throughout the cabin as well.

The 500’s packaging has always been a marvel, squeezing as much usable space out of a tiny footprint as you’re likely to achieve. The second row isn’t ideal for tall adults on a daily basis, but works well for occasional ferrying. The storage on offer, is aided by the electric powertrain, with no gearbox to rob the cabin of front floor space. The wireless charging pad is cleverly positioned, the central consoles storage area is large, and there’s room for medium-size bottles in the door pockets.

On test, we used the proprietary satellite navigation system and it worked accurately. The 10.3-inch infotainment screen is placed well in the leading edge of the dashboard, and it’s responsive to touch commands. We’ll test more of the functionality at the local launch.

The driving experience is a good one. First up, as you’d be aware if you’ve driven through old European cities, cobblestones, potholes and mismatched road surfaces feature prominently. As such, the suspension of any vehicle is well tested around town, let alone a reasonably heavy electric vehicle. The Fiat 500e, despite its diminutive stature, weighs in at nearly 1300kg. Not as heavy as some, but still heavy for a vehicle of this size.

However, despite the weight, we were impressed by the ride quality and bump absorption. The 500e remained comfortable and quiet, no matter how nasty the road surface beneath us. The compact chassis wasn’t easily unsettled either, staying composed right up to highway speed. We can confirm that the 500e easily sits at the 130km/h posted speed limit on Italian motorways, too, meaning it will tackle our 110km/h zones with ease.

A driving range around the 300km mark is useful for the average driver in Australia, meaning most of us will get to and from work for five days without needing to charge at all. One charge during the week would be enough to keep this city car running for most owners, if you did a bit more driving than the average.

While it’s not silly fast, unlike some EV manufacturers, outright pace hasn’t been a focus for Fiat in the development of the 500e. There will be an Abarth for that purpose. Still, the 500e feels punchy enough, both off the mark, and through the mid range, that you won’t feel like you need more power. It’s rapid enough off the line, to do exactly what the city-focused buyer will expect.

We’ll spend more time measuring real world energy use once we drive the 500e locally to find out how close to that claimed range you’re likely to get. After a brief taste in and around Torino though, it’s easy to see why the 500e has gained the popularity it has in Europe since launch. It’s not cheap in Europe either, so it’s fair to say that price isn’t leading the charge, rather the quality of the offering and the driving character have cemented it as an early EV favourite. Could Australia be next?