2024 Fiat 500e

Meet the 2024 Fiat 500e, a compact commuter if there ever was one. But don’t let its small stature fool you, as there’s more to the 500e than meets the eye.

The previous battery-electric 500 was sold with an advertised 87 miles of range— not enough for most buyers. This next-gen iteration sees a vast improvement: 149 miles. Not as high a number as other BEVs on the market today, nor is the 117 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, but range and performance are adequate for this Fiat’s intended use: localized commuting.

That said, it’s not totally lost in modern highway traffic.

ALEXANDER KELLUM: “As one would expect, the Fiat 500e is perfectly at home on city and small-town streets; but then that extra heft from the battery pack actually gives it a kind of planted feel, which is appreciated out on the highway; though, you will be kept on your toes at first next to all these hulking SUVs and pickup trucks.

Now, the gearhead part of me does miss that noticeable bark of an Abarth-tuned engine, but there is something to be said about the bliss of silent EV propulsion. And, hey, there’s no need for the occasional ‘Italian Tune-Up’ with this thing, though that’s really a pro or a con depending on your personality type.”

Getting off the highway and into city streets, the 500e’s diminutive dimensions are appreciated. That does translate into less interior room for the 2+2 seating arrangement, but there’s more space than outward appearances let on. The cabin is a mix of materials depending on which trim or “edition” you opt for, but the 7-inch gauge cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment system are both standard.

The 2024 Fiat 500e starts around $34,000 or $38,000 for one of the special designer grades. We’ll have plenty more to say in an upcoming Road Test.