Fiat 500e Icon review: baby, where did our plug go?

Introducing the all-new Fiat 500e, a fully electric car that not only retains the iconic charm of its predecessor but also embraces a sustainable future. This is Fiat's first venture into pure-electric motoring in New Zealand, although it's not the brand's first electric 500. While the 500e maintains the classic Cinquecento appearance, it is a completely different vehicle from the older internal combustion engine (ICE) model that is still available for purchase.

As a city car, the Fiat 500e offers convenience and style, but it comes at a price. The entry-level Pop model starts at $59,900, which is twice the cost of the $25,000 500 ICE. Our test car, the 500e Icon, has additional features and a price tag of $64,990. Despite its compact size (3.6m long), the 500e offers a modest 320km WLTP range.

It's worth noting that there are larger battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with longer ranges and lower price points available in the market. If that's what you're looking for, the Fiat 500e may not meet your expectations. However, if you appreciate its retro-futuristic appeal and its commitment to sustainability, you'll find it to be a delightful and fashionable mode of transportation.

For car enthusiasts, the Fiat 500e also delivers a fun driving experience. With 87kW/220Nm of power and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9 seconds, it exhibits the lively performance that only electric vehicles can provide. Furthermore, it remains refined and agile, particularly in urban environments.

The claimed 320km range may be subject to debate, as it doesn't seem to align with real-world conditions. In our experience, a more accurate estimate would be around 250km, or possibly 280km in Sherpa mode, which prioritizes maximum distance with reduced performance and air conditioning. Nevertheless, this range is acceptable for a city car and exceeds that of its competitor, the Mini Electric, by approximately 100km.

Inside and out, the Fiat 500e boasts an appealing design, although the materials used may feel cheap in some areas. Under the bonnet, you'll find exposed wires in a slightly disorganized manner, and the seatbacks in the rear are painted metal instead of being covered in fabric.

The cabin, however, is a pleasant place to be. It features a compact yet well-arranged infotainment screen with wireless phone projection and charging capabilities. The two-spoke steering wheel adds a touch of style, and the climate control switches are physical buttons—a refreshing departure from the trend of touch-based controls. Unfortunately, the air conditioning performance is not impressive, which is a characteristic common to Fiats. Instead of a traditional gear lever, the dashboard houses a row of push buttons.

Upgrading from the Pop model to the Icon model is a worthwhile investment. The Icon offers a comprehensive set of Level 2 driver-assistance features, including intelligent adaptive cruise control, a Blind Spot Monitor, and 360-degree parking sensors. These advanced safety technologies represent a significant improvement over the previous model, which lacked such features.

Both the Pop and Icon models are equipped with keyless entry. However, the locking mechanism is a bit peculiar, requiring a long press of a small recessed button. Once engaged, the electric locks operate silently, with only a flash of the indicators to indicate the locking status. As newcomers to the vehicle, we found ourselves repeatedly checking if the doors were truly locked. Perhaps Fiat could consider adding an audible lock-tone or implementing automatic lock/unlock functionality, as seen in other small cars from the Stellantis group, such as Opel and Peugeot.

The Icon model also comes with larger and more luxurious wheels, LED headlights with auto high-beam, additional chrome accents, a glass roof, different dashboard trim, a two-tone steering wheel, and an auto-dimming mirror. The upholstery is supposed to feature "Ice beige eco-leather," although our test car had Seaqual fabric, which is made partly from marine waste and is equally or even more appealing. It's worth noting that our car had a combination of specifications, which may be due to it being an early model.

Fiat has even added an Easter egg to the 500e, taking inspiration from other Stellantis brands like Jeep and Opel. The rubber lining at the bottom of the interior door pull, although not readily visible, showcases a graphic of the original 500 and a "Made in Torino" stamp.

While the Fiat 500e may be a niche model in New Zealand, it has gained significant popularity in Europe. It ranks among the top 10 best-selling BEVs (behind Tesla Model 3/Y and Volkswagen's ID models) year-to-date, surpassing the e-208 from sister Stellantis-brand Peugeot and the new MG4.