As summer ends, many still feel the impact of high gas prices. While our weekly tester, the 2024 Fiat 500e, does not suit everyone, it’s an excellent choice for city driving and those looking to save on fuel costs. This is Stellantis’s first all-electric car available in America, and they have more electric vehicles in the pipeline. It’s also currently the lightest-weight electric car available, making it a good option for those concerned about their carbon footprint. Fiat is wise to highlight the car’s usefulness as a city vehicle for electric car enthusiasts and as a potential second car for many. I appreciate that they are not trying to make the Fiat into something it’s not.
The Fiat 500e has 117 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. While these numbers may seem low by traditional standards, it’s important to remember that with electric cars, you get instant power, and this car feels much more powerful than the numbers suggest. It’s not a leader in range, but it can go up to 162 miles on an 85-kW battery.
The gasoline-powered 500s have been discontinued, except for a few remaining 2023 models. All the 2024 models are all-electric, and you can choose from three trim levels. The “Inspi-Red” is the least expensive model and is a bright red color on the outside. The “500e Inspired By Music” comes with JBL Virtual Venues, featuring sound settings that emulate four different venues selected by opera maestro Andrea Bocelli. Lastly, the “500e Inspired By Beauty” our tester features a Rose Gold exterior color and eco-leather seats.
When you enter the cabin, you’ll notice the comfortable seats emblazoned with “FIAT.” The two-tone flat-bottomed steering wheel looks and feels great. I appreciate the modern materials used throughout the cabin, which avoid the appearance of cheapness despite a lot of plastic. The oval gauge cluster is easy to read, with a prominent digital speedometer in the middle and battery range and percentage information. The transmission is operated through push buttons located below the center screen.
In the middle of the seats, there’s a console with the emergency brake, stereo volume control, and options to change the drive modes to normal, range, or Sherpa. I prefer range mode because I enjoy using one-pedal driving with electric cars. I had to look up Sherpa mode – it’s new to me. Sherpa mode helps maximize your car’s range by providing smoother and less responsive driving compared to the other modes. It also automatically turns off climate control and other vehicle auxiliary features to help conserve energy. You can always turn these features back on based on your needs. Additionally, there’s a comfortable armrest above the center console. Also, inside, you’ll find a variety of clues indicating that it was assembled in Torino, Italy.
The 500e is loaded with technology features. It includes Fiat Connect with Uconnect 5 navigation and a 10.25-inch high-definition touchscreen that acts as the central hub for technology. It offers Integrated Voice Command with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto compatibility, and built-in Alexa integration.
I was pleasantly surprised by its performance and handling; it’s zippy and highly maneuverable for city driving, making parking and U-turns a breeze. The back seat space is limited for adults, but it would be comfortable for the fur kids. The cargo area is spacious at 7.5 cubic feet, and additional storage is below to store valuables and your home charging cord. And the price is as small as the car itself; our 2024 Fiat 500e tester has an MSRP of $37,595.00.
