Pros And Cons: What Makes The 2024 Fiat 500e A Great Commuter Car

The Fiat 500 is back once again and completely different.

Don’t be fooled by the familiar looks as the 2024 Fiat 500e rides on an all-new platform. Larger than the previous 500, the new car is fully electric and poised to lead the Italian manufacturer into an all-electric future. 

It remains a stylish alternative to more drab commuter cars, but it’s not without its weaknesses. Below we highlight 3 pros and 2 cons for the 2024 Fiat 500e. 

Pro: Price

The new Fiat 500e is one of the most affordable electric vehicles in North America. In the United States the entry level 500e Red starts at a price of $34,095 including destination charges. That price is only undercut by the base 2025 Nissan Leaf S with the smaller battery, In Canada, the starting price of $42,190 including destination charges for the 2024 Fiat 500e Red undercuts the Nissan Leaf. 

Regardless of country, the 2024 Fiat 500e is one of the most affordable ways to get a brand-new electric vehicle. 

Con: Price

Although the Fiat 500e is quite affordable in the land of EVs, there is still a price premium to pay for an all-electric powertrain. Compared to smaller gasoline-powered vehicles, the 500e Red is roughly $15,000 more than a base Mitsubishi Mirage or just over $10,000 more than a case Chevrolet Trax.

At the price point where the Fiat 500e Red resides are some formidable vehicles like the Honda Civic Si, Toyota Prius, and Volkswagen GTI. Of course, none of those are all-electric. 

Pro: Fun Size, Funky Style

A commuter doesn’t have to be boring and the Fiat 500e proves it. The exterior features the usual funky style we’ve come to expect from the brand. Of note are the headlights surrounding the hood that continue up onto it. On the inside, the brand has done a good job of adding style and interest with colors and contrasting designs. 

The car’s small size is also a plus as it’s easy to fit into tight parking spaces. Even as just a two-door, the space needed to open those doors isn’t an issue as they’re still relatively small. 

Inside, the front seat passengers have ample room, and most adults should fit in there without issue. The rear seats, on the other hand, are best left to small children. 

Con: Range

Smaller cars designed to get around the city and/or commute don’t need a ton of driving range as they rarely travel all that far. The 2024 Fiat 500e comes with enough range for most folks trudging through the daily grind. But, with 149 miles (240 km) of range, it does need to recharge frequently. That shouldn’t be an issue for folks that have their own level 2 charger. 

But if relying on the public infrastructure is a must, more planning around range and charging will be needed. The 42-kWh battery pack can charge at speeds up to 85 kW. 

Pro: Fun

There are a lot of fun electric vehicles on the market, but aside from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, most of that fun is tied to ridiculous acceleration launches. With the Fiat 500e, the fun is tied to the chassis and vehicle responses. Even though the EV is close to 3,000 pounds, it’s still relatively light and has that certain 500 charm the previous generations embodied. 

Throwing the car back and forth through twisting roads is entertaining and the 500e gives good feedback to the driver as to what the car is doing. It’s not as razor sharp as a Mazda MX-5 Miata or Hyundai Elantra N, but it’s also not a snooze-mobile. 

Overall, the 2024 Fiat 500e shows small subcompact EVs can be interesting and fun. We’re just waiting for the cost of electric vehicles to come down.

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