2024 Fiat 500e test drive review

“There’s beauty in simplicity.” “Less is more.” “Keep it simple, stupid.” You know the quotes, and you know what? They’re true — especially when it comes to electric vehicles. 

While most EVs are being pushed toward futuristic technology, obscene power, multiple motor powertrains and enormous price tags, a few are comfortably excelling on the other end of the spectrum. The new, 2024 Fiat 500e is one of those. It starts at just over $34,000 and weighs just under 3,000 pounds; it’s not uncommon for an EV to weigh as much as 9,000 pounds these days. 

Plus it comes with either a free Level 2 home charger, although professional installation is required at an additional cost, or $600 in charging credits (roughly two year’s worth). What’s not to like? 

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Photo courtesy of Stellantis

In short, this simple, charming, micro-sized urban commuter is an appealing electric option for the right buyer. We only had about an hour with one during the 2024 Rocky Mountain Driving Experience event in Colorado, but that was plenty of time to fall in love with this little ladybug. 

It’s a perfect commuter

It’s easy to be lured in by big cars, big horsepower numbers and shockingly low 0-60 mph times. We get it. But by now we’ve driven plenty of EVs to know that bigger and faster — and heavier — doesn’t always mean better. 

My wife and I even drove a highly spec’d EV from Denver, Colorado, to Bountiful, Utah. What started as an exciting prospect quickly turned into an exhausting, nearly 12-hour ordeal. Instead of trying to be all things to all people, the Fiat 500e is the perfect example of where an EV can shine. 

Of course, the elephant in the room is range. The 500e only gets 160 miles on a full charge. And that’s totally OK! This ladybug isn’t about conquering the drive from Salt Lake City to St. George in a single charge. This EV is about buzzing you around your immediate living area and on your commute. That’s it. And in those areas, it works extremely well. 

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Photo courtesy of Stellantis

The 500e’s size is a huge advantage here. Because it’s so small, few cars are as easy to park as this one, especially in an urban setting. And while you might assume that the interior is too small to be comfortable, it’s actually a wonderful place to be. 

The seats are soft and supportive, and there is plenty of leg, shoulder and headroom up front. Even in the back seat, there’s a surprising amount of legroom. If you aren’t hauling people around, you can fold down the rear seat and have plenty of space for groceries and other items. 

It’s also just zippy enough to feel capable around town. It only produces 117 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, but who cares? It got me around in the Rocky Mountains just fine and does even better in downtown Salt Lake City. 

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

As a second car, why not?

The reality is that the Fiat 500e would be a terrible choice if it was your only car. But as a second car … yeah, it’s pretty compelling. Think of it: If you have a second family car that can fit all your people, gear, etc., and you just need a car to get you around town and to work and back for cheap, why wouldn’t you consider the 500e?

The car is inexpensive — and will most likely be discounted at the dealer — and could very likely carry significant tax benefits. It’s also simple and will likely be a piece of cake to maintain.

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Besides being adverse to its jellybean styling, or insisting on a larger backseat, we can’t see too many reasons to not consider one. The reality is, most of us don’t need cars with 500 horsepower, three rows of seats and semi-autonomous driving features. Sometimes we just need to get to work or to the grocery store and not be bothered by all the extra, and mostly unnecessary, things that so many EVs are. And that’s exactly why the 500e is so good.

Photo courtesy of Stellantis

Final thoughts

There’s a phrase that goes something like, “You need the right tool for the job.” You can’t expect a shovel to perform well at a rake’s tasks. You also can’t expect most EVs right now to make sense as a family hauler to drive you all over the West Coast to your kid’s soccer tournaments. It’s just not the right tool for that job. At least, not yet. 

But an EV, especially a cheap, small, buzzy one like the 500e, is the perfect tool for commuting and short-range errand-running jobs — especially if you can essentially drive it for free for two years. It’s certainly not trying to be anything more than what it is, and we love it for that. If you need a tool for this specific job, don’t sleep on the 2024 Fiat 500e.

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Highs

• An excellent value play

• Perfect for urban environments

• Easy to drive

• Simple, easy-to-use features

• Free charging or Level 2 charger included

• Surprisingly spacious interior

Lows 

• Some interior bits feel a little cheap

• No all-wheel drive option

FAQs

Is it good for families? 

If your kids are small and you’re only going a short distance, then the 500e will be fine. Make sure you have a second car, though, for longer journeys requiring more space and range. 

Is the 500e fun to drive? 

It’s no sports car, but it is entertaining enough. The 162 pound-feet of torque keeps the driver feeling confident in urban traffic settings. 

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.