2024 Fiat 500e Red Edition Review: Fun For A Price

Fiat has had an on-again-off-agency relationship with North America for over a century. After making a triumph return (again) in 2009, the Italian manufacturer looked poised to carve out a niche with vehicles like the 500 and 124 Spider.

But sales never materialized in large numbers and Fiat has been floating along for the past several years with a very stale model lineup. Heck, in Canada the brand disappeared altogether.

This year there is renewed excitement at Fiat though, as the brand introduces the first offering of what is promised to be an all-electric future. That car is the 2024 Fiat 500e and no, this is not just a relaunch of the same car developed 10 years ago. The 2024 500e is built on an entirely new platform, one dedicated to EVs.

What’s New for 2024: A New Direction

When the Fiat 500 was first reborn in 2009, there was a dramatic change as the car grew, and the engine went from the rear of the car to the front. For 2024 there is an equally big change. The engine is now gone altogether, replaced by a motor up front and a battery pack underneath. 

This is not a modification of the previous 500 as the 2024 model rides on an entirely new platform. Once again larger, the car is also wider, offering more space inside. 

Exterior Style: Looks Like a 500, Just Different

The 2024 Fiat 500e is immediately recognizable from a distance. It has all the usual design cues like the round headlights over smaller marker lights, the stubby nose and large side windows, as well as the protruding taillights. 

The new car is longer at 142.95 inches (3,631 mm) in length as well as wider at 74.12 inches (1,883 mm), and taller at 66.3 inches (1,684 mm). Despite growing in all dimensions, the car looks less upright and top-heavy. The hood feels lower and wider and the car has better proportions. 

We are driving the 2024 Fiat 500e Red, which is the entry-level model. Available in one of three colors, it features red badging as well as red mirror covers on the outside. 

Powertrain and Fuel Economy: Small Car, Small Power, Small Range

With the tight dimensions of the 500e, the motor has nowhere to go other than under the hood in lieu of the engine. The single-motor unit delivers 117 horsepower (hp) and 162 pound-feet of torque (lb-ft). Those numbers may not sound all that impressive, especially since the similarly priced small-battery Nissan LEAF has much more. 

The 2024 Fiat 500e only weighs 2,952 pounds (1,342 kilograms) though, which is quite svelte for an EV. This allows the car to accelerate with surprising gusto, with the instant torque tugging the front wheels to lose traction on dusty surfaces. Not once did we feel the car was severely lacking in power, as it felt right of a city runabout.  

Although the 2024 Fiat 500e can travel up to speeds of 94 mph (151 km/h), the 500e really is more of a city commuter. Its range of 149 miles (240 km) on a single charge is quite small in the overall landscape of EVs, but it’s fine for a car like this. The Fiat 500 has never been a long-distance road tripper and the new car is no exception. When the 42-kWh battery does deplete, it can recharge at speeds up to 85 kW.

Handling and Drivability: Still Has the 500 Charm

Although the car is light for an EV, it’s still hefty for its size. Despite this, the new 2024 Fiat 500e is eager to toss around some tight switchbacks. With a MacPherson strut set up in the front and a twist beam rear axle, the car responds quickly to steering inputs and eagerly changes directions. 

Our car came with the 205/45R17 Pirelli all-season tires which still provide good mechanical grip. Only entering a corner with far too must speed, or slamming the accelerator in wet conditions caused them to break loose. There are a set of summer tires available for even better performance. 

On a sidenote, the 500e is one of the few cars still on sale today that comes with rear drum brakes. But don’t get hung up on that fact, the car stops perfectly fine. 

Ride Quality and Comfort: More Space, Liveable Ride

The Fiat 500 always leaned more towards agile reflexes over all-out comfort. The new car is no different. With the added weight, the suspension is set to keep body motions in check which relates to a ride that’s quite tolerable but is stiffer than another low-priced commuter, the Chevrolet Trax.

The 2024 Fiat 500e comes as a four-seater, but there should be an asterisk beside that number. With 35.4-inches (898 mm) of headroom and 29.5-inches (748 mm) of legroom, the rear seat is the domain of children at best. Up front, it’s a different story as the driver and passenger get 39.3 inches (997 mm) of headroom and 41.8 inches (1,061 mm) of legroom.

The manual adjustable seats are comfortable enough and have 500e Red stitched into the backrest. Behind the rear seat is a 7.5 cubic feet (213 L) cargo area that grows in size with the rear seats folded.

Interior Style and Quality: Funky and Thrifty

The 2024 Fiat 500e is an entry-level city car, even if it is powered by electricity. Hard plastics abound inside the car, but Fiat has made the brand’s usual funky touches to make it look and feel more interesting and premium than it really is.

The dash panel is usually finished the same color as the exterior, but our Red trim came painted red. 

Under the infotainment system are a series of piano black climate control buttons and a wireless phone charging pad above the push button gear selector. The slightly squared-off two-spoke steering wheel has the icon 500 circular design in the middle and a variety of touch controls. 

Tech and Safety: Modernly Equipped

In front of the driver is a customizable 7-inch digital driver information center. Next to it is a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen that protrudes slightly from the dashboard. It’s simple to learn but does lack hard controls like a volume knob or tuning buttons. 

Other included features on the Red trim are an auto climate control, Fiat audio system, wireless charging pad, and rain-sensing wipers. Although our tester includes automatic emergency braking, pedestrian alert, and lane keep assist, it does not include the Level 2 ADAS found on higher trim levels. 

Value Dollars and Sense: Pay for the Electricity

It’s the 2024 Fiat 500e pricing that’s the real conundrum. With a starting price of $34,095 ($42,190 Canadian) including destination charges, the Fiat 500e is one of the most affordable EVs on the market. It’s actually the lowest price electric vehicle in Canada right now. 

But it’s still quite a premium over equivalent gas-powered competitors. At this price point, sporty small cars like the Honda Civic Si or Volkswagen GTI reside. On an efficiency front, the Toyota Prius Prime plug-in is also in this neighborhood. More basic transportation, like the Chevrolet Trax, is around $10,000 less expensive. 

Final Thoughts: A Bright Future

The 2024 Fiat 500e shows that an all-electric future doesn’t mean small city cars have to be boring. The all-electric Fiat is still a charming car to drive, with funky looks and a fun interior. Even with modest power and range, it would be perfectly well suited for someone who is set on getting an EV for commuting around the city. 

But that someone must also be ready to pay the premium for an all-electric vehicle. For folks looking at the most affordable vehicles on the market, it’s still small gas-powered cars…for now.

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