Let’s take a little trip back to Post-War Europe. We’re talking the big war that left the continent in ruins and its industries tattered. Enamored with the Vespa scooter, FIAT designers set about to create a four-wheeled version ideal for city life.
Iconic Heritage Advanced
Introduced in 1957, the 500 endeared drivers with cute round headlamps, two-cylinder rear-mounted engine, and enough space for four and their wares. Over 3.5 million were built 1957-1975, transcending mere automotive mortality to drive with the gods. Keep all of this in-mind for a moment because there’s a new 500 that channels the original’s spirit.
While it clearly has a family resemblance to its grandfather, let’s think of the 2024 500e as more of a luxury four-wheel Segway scooter aimed less at poor city folk and more at affluent urban fashionistas. Like the original, it looks the part with sparkling round LED headlamps, short hatchback body, and ovoid rear taillamps – all riding over 17” wheels. It’s a car that’s big enough to absorb traffic, but small enough to park almost anywhere.
Inspiration beyond storied heritage is key to the 500e’s style. Ours is “Inspired by Beauty”, which I suppose explains its Rose Gold paint. Others are “Inspired by LA” with an urban vibe and “Inspired by Music” with an edgier rock attitude. Choose what theme you want because the 500e is an open canvas.
Interiors channel the 500’s ancestors’ simple gauge pod and controls while greeting the EV age with flatscreen instrument cluster, 10.25-inch touchscreen on the dash, and wireless phone connections through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s a wireless charging pad in the dash too.
Heated cream-colored seats look suave with FIAT stitching, but are faux leather for easy cleaning and better wear. Two passengers fit better than four, but kids can fit in the rear and the seats fold down to increase luggage space. Automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers add convenience while safety is enhanced by automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, and cross-path detection.
Fun Urban Driving
When it comes to driving, let’s start with the positives. It’s smooth, quiet, and peppy, employing 117 horsepower and 162 lb.-ft. of torque to run 0-60 mph in 8 seconds. Drivers can fast charge 10-80% in 30 minutes or fully recharge in 6.2 hours on a 240-volt home charger. Not bad, but you’ll be doing that frequently given a scant 141 miles range if driven in-town, but more like 125 miles if the freeway is involved. If you’re looking for a long-distance EV, this isn’t it, but it makes a great little city car.
City streets become your personal autocross circuit. It’s fun to drive even if its chassis isn’t all that complicated. An independent front, torsion beam rear suspension is normal fare for a compact hatchback, but it does a much better job of soaking up rough pavement than the last 500. It’s 2-inches wider to better accommodate its lithium-ion batteries, but that also translates into more stable handling. It feels less tipsy than before.
As with the last-generation gas-powered Fiats, the 500e’s trial is less about its merits and more about its competition. For about the same money, you can buy a five-seat Nissan Leaf with greater range. A next-generation Chevy Bolt arrives in 2026 with close to 300 miles range. As with the original, though, there’s nothing like the 500e. If you want exquisite classic style brought forward with modern luxuries and ease of maneuvering over city streets, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat the 500e.
The car’s base and as-tested prices are the same: $36,000.
Storm Forward!
Send comments to Casey at [email protected]; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.