The all-electric New Fiat 500 re-invents and re-defines what this iconic model line should be. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

This is the third generation Fiat 500, a model the brand rather charmingly calls 'a boutique car for the working man' - or woman: this new-era design will certainly have far more across-the-board appeal. Contrary to appearances, everything is different - not least the fact that you can only have battery power, this being Fiat's first all-electric car, offered as with the previous 500 in three-door hatch and Convertible body styles. It's stylish, cheeky and best of all, the driving range is class-leading for a tiny EV. In short, if you can afford one, there's lots to like.

Background

A new Fiat 500 is a big deal. We had the cute original in 1957. The New Millennium model that saved Fiat as a car maker, launched in 2007. And this car, introduced in early 2020. It's only offered in full-electric form (which is why the old petrol mild hybrid model carries on). And that's part of the reason development of this MK3 model has been so lengthy. Fiat wanted to wait for battery technology to mature a bit before launching this car - and that's paid off, allowing the brand to engineer in a much longer EV driving range than close rivals, the MINI Electric and the Honda e. "It doesn't feel time to be timid", says Fiat boss Oliver François. "This car isn't just for now, it's for the next decade. So it's built new from the ground up and it's all-electric and only electric from day one". But the exterior look is very recognisable, as is the hatch and convertible body style choice.

Driving Experience

This all-electric 500 model's 42kWh battery pack is mated to an 118hp motor and is fitted across the range, including the Convertible variants. This is good for 186-199 miles and the car manages the 0-62mph time in 9 seconds. Few will want the base 93hp version with its much smaller 24kWh battery (good for only 118 miles). Whatever your 500e choice, like all EV's, this one feels even quicker off the mark than that figure suggests (in the 42kWh variant, 30mph can be reached from rest in just 3.1s), though Fiat has tried to make power delivery quite linear so that you don't use up all your battery charge at once. Maximum speed is restricted though - to just 93mph. Various types of automated driving technology are available, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and intelligent speed limit assist. There's lots here that owners of previous 500 models will recognise - the high-ish seating position and manoeuvrability for instance; there's a tight 9.6-metre turning circle. You also get the previous model's rather brittle low speed ride quality, though it copes with poorer pot holes and speed humps quite well and anyway, things smooth out quite a lot once you get out of town. When you might discover that this Fiat actually handles quite well, despite having to carry around 350kgs more weight around than the MK2 mild hybrid petrol model. All the weight of the mattress-shaped Samsung battery has been positioned well down, compensating for the extra bulk with a lower centre of gravity, hence the well-controlled body roll at speed through the corners, though the effect is somewhat masked by the rather anaesthetised electric steering. A series of drive modes are available that will enable you to maximise your driving range. There are three settings - 'Normal', 'Range' and the curiously named 'Sherpa', with the last of these being focused on getting the maximum from the battery, including a navigation program that will limit maximum speed to 50mph and restrict acceleration. The 'Range' mode maximises brake regeneration, meaning that you'll normally only have to drive with one pedal, so great will be the deceleration when you lift off the throttle. But most of the time, you'll be leaving in this car in its 'Normal' setting, in which form it won't require too much acclimatisation over a conventionally-engined supermini.

Design and Build

Don't be deceived by the familiar looks; everything is new here - including the fresh architecture that this car sits upon. That's allowed for a subtle increase in size, both fixed-top and convertible versions of this third generation model being 3.36m long and 1.69m wide, an increase of 6cm in both length and width. The 1.53m height means it's 4cm taller too. Fiat has deliberately made exterior look an evolution of this car's predecessor - specifically in the light and bumper designs. Look more closely though and you'll spot sharper lines and flush door handles, plus the adoption of full-LED headlights. For existing owners, much less will be recognisable inside, where the dashboard is much wider and now topped by a big 10.25-inch touchscreen housing the brand's latest U connect 5 media system. This can deliver navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay. Out back, the 2cm wheelbase increase means that things aren't quite as cramped as before: indeed, Fiat markets the drop-top version of this car (which retains folding fabric sunroof-style top) as 'the world's first 4-seat convertible EV'. The company also reckons that the floor-mounted battery pack won't reduce luggage capacity.

Market and Model

So how much is Fiat's latest EV technology going to cost you? Well, as you'd expect, a fair bit more than you'd pay for the continuing mild hybrid petrol combustion 500 model, which retails from just under £16,000 in hatchback form. The 500e is priced from around £27,500, but that's for the feeble 93hp 24kW version few will want. The 118hp 42kWh model we tried with its 186 to 199 mile range costs from around £30,500 - or from around £33,500 as a Convertible. There are two identically-priced mainstream trim levels, standard or 'Red'; plusher 'La Prima'-spec costs £3,000 more. Across the model range, you get the brand's 'U connect 5' 10.25-inch centre-dash infotainment screen, which is fully connected and based on the Android operating system. It includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone-mirroring. The 'La Prima'-spec model comes with a panoramic glass roof, full-LED headlights, 17-inch diamond-cut wheels and chrome-plated side panel inserts. It will be offered with three exclusive paint shades. Inside, there's eco-leather upholstery for the dashboard and the seats. Safety kit includes big car-style features like autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and a 360-degree parking assist system. As an option, Fiat is offering an intelligent adaptive cruise control system, which combines automatic lane keeping and a feature that will keep you a predefined distance from the vehicle ahead.

Cost of Ownership

The all-electric 500 features an 85kW DC rapid charging system that can recharge the 42kWh battery from empty to 80% capacity in just 35 minutes and can provide the car with 31 miles of driving range in just 5 minutes. Buyers can also get a Fiat-branded wall charging box that offers 3kW charging and apparently doesn't need to be professionally installed. This wallbox can be upgraded to allow for 7.4kW charging at home. That 7.4kW wall box allows you to fully charge this electric 500 in just over 6 hours. The car also comes with a mode 3 cable for charging at up to 11kW from a public charging point. It can be charged via AC or DC power points. The important driving range figure is quoted at 186-199 miles on the WLTP cycle (though that can rise to between 299-320 miles in urban driving). The smaller-battery 24kWh model can manage only 118 miles between charges - or 190 miles in urban driving. As usual with a Fiat, this car is covered by a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty and there's 36 months of breakdown cover included as well. Should you have a problem on a journey, you can use the 'Uconnect' infotainment system to contact roadside assistance. What else might you need to know? Well, servicing intervals are every year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Owners can keep up to date with their car's maintenance schedule via the 'My Car' section of that 'My E-Charge' Fiat app, which briefs you on the time of your next service and various maintenance issues.

Summary

In the past, Fiat 500 buyers have shown a desire to spend plenty on cars from this model line - which is just as well because they'll have to spend plenty to enter the era of 'New 500'. Looking at the list figures, you can see why it was so vital that the old model should continue as a more affordable option - a stepping stone to this new design So is this new EV-era 500 worth aspiring to? We think many loyal (mainly female) buyers will think so. It's just as stylish as its MINI Electric and Honda e rivals and set a new high bar in terms of driving range for a tiny EV that embarrasses both of them. Which goes some way to justifying a high price that hopefully will become more accessible as the range broadens. This is no longer the cheap Peoples' Car it once was. But without doubt, it retains the spirit of the original.

Body Glass

Rear wiper

Heated rear window

Standard glass

Driver and passenger's one touch up/down electric windows

Cristalli Atermici

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Brake assist function

Electronic parking brake

ESC + ASR/MSR + HBA + Hill holder

Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) & Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Protection

E-Braking

Carpets/Rugs

Specific floor mats with red logo

Communication

E-call

Bluetooth connectivity

Wireless apple car play/android Auto

Central Console A+C USB (Charging Only)

Driver Aids

Cruise control

Attention assist

Traffic sign recognition

Intelligent speed assist

Power assist steering

Lane keeping assistant (LKA)

Rear view parking camera

Vehicle Start Button

Traffic sign information

Quick Guide English

Driver Convenience

Connected services

EV mode selector

Warranty handbook uk

e-coasting

EV Low Battery Mode (Turtle Mode)

EV Granted Range (Take Me Home)

Driver Information

Uconnect live service

10.25" touchscreen infotainment with navigation

EV indications on instrument cluster and head unit

7" TFT digital cluster

Driving Mirrors

Electric adjustable door mirrors

Black mirror caps

Embellishment Trims

Red dashboard

Entertainment

4 speakers + 2 tweeters

DAB radio

Global telematics box module (TBM)

USB for device mirroring in 1st row

Exterior Body Features

Chromed daylight opening

Unique exterior red finished wheel centre hubcaps

Red logo on C-pillar

Naval transport cover

Chromed front and rear logo

Exterior Lights

Automatic headlights

Dusk sensor

LED daytime running lights

LED rear lights

Halogen headlamps

LED 3rd brake light

Rear fog light

LED side lights

Welcoming / Leaving lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic air conditioning

RED kit inclues cabin air filter, antibacterial treatment on surfaces and sanitiser dispenser

Electrically driven temperature control

Interior Features

Height adjustable steering wheel

Centre console storage

Telescopic steering column

Auxilliary 12V power socket

Cargo box

Fabric upholstery

Steering wheel with audio controls

One pedal drive

Eco Leather steering wheel

Rigid cargo cover

Chrome logo on steering wheel

Red gas pedal

Interior Lights

Boot light

Dashboard white backlight

LED spot light on central dashboard

First Row Dome Lamp Incandescent

Safety

Tyre pressure sensor

Curtain airbags

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

Low speed safety system

7 airbags - Driver, passenger, side, window and drivers knee airbags

Seats

Rear head restraints

Front headrests

2 seat bench in second row

4 way manually adjustable drivers seat

Single front passenger seat

Front seats with Fiat monogram

Security

Remote central locking

Automatic door locking

Keyless Go

Transmission

Electric transmission

Vanity Mirrors

Passenger sun visor with mirror

Vehicle Charging

Mode 3 charging cable

85kW fast charge

Smart charging port

Smart charging

Second life ready battery

Wheels - Alloy

16" Burnished alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Fix and go puncture repair kit

Bag for repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 915

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 3

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 255

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 35

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 85

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-80

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 99630

Battery Capacity in kWh: 42

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City - TEL: 460

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City - TEH: 441

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 322

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 311

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEL: 13.9

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb - TEH: 14.4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEH: 4.3

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb - TEL: 4.5

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City - TEH: 274

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City - TEL: 286

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 193

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 200

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Usable Battery Capacity: 37.3

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 85

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 0

Standard Euro Emissions: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

CO: N

HC: N

NOx: N

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

CC: 1

Cylinders: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Number of Valves: N

Camshaft: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

Engine Layout: N

Compression Ratio: N

Transmission: AUTO

Gears: 1 SPEED

Engine Code: N

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Urban (mpg): N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Combined (mpg): N

General

Coin Series: Red

Coin Description: N

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 8

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: No

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: 94312

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 17D

Service Interval Mileage: 9000

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 76

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 80

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 67

NCAP Safety Assist %: 67

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 4

Badge Power: 118

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 3

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 9

Top Speed: 93

Engine Power - BHP: 118

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 87

Engine Power - RPM: N

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 162

Engine Torque - NM: 220

Engine Torque - MKG: 22.4

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 195/55 R16

Tyre Size Rear: 195/55 R16

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 16" ALLOY

Wheel Style: N

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 3632

Width: 1683

Wheelbase: 2322

Width (including mirrors): 1900

Height: 1527

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1365

Gross Vehicle Weight: 1765

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Loading Weight: 400

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 185

No. of Seats: 4

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 550

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 9.7

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Special pastel paint

Paint - Special

Pastel - Ice white

Special pastel - Onyx black

Special pastel - Red

Trim - Cloth

Fabric - Black with red dashboard

Vehicle Charging

Mode 2 Charging Cable (AC single phase 13A, 2.3kW)