High expectations and high voltage add up to another interpretation of the Fiat 500. Is it good enough to maintain the legendary cult status, good enough to continue the success of the 2007 Nuova 500?

There aren't many cars with the iconic status of the Fiat 500, an equivalent history, and on top of that a very recent success story with the previous generation. But it hasn't always been good weather for the Italian love baby, as between 1976 and 2007 there's a gap in the history of this iconic name. Sure, there was the Fiat 126P but that wasn't a continuation of the 500-idea. Dubbed not the 500 but the Cinquecento (Italian for 500), Fiat tried again in the nineties with a model that would never reach the iconic status of the original. Flash forward to 2007 and all was forgiven when the Nuova 500 was launched, bearing great resemblance to the original launched in 1957. Since then, that model has sold like proverbial hotcakes with only minor tweaks to keep it up to date. Consumers loved the car for its character, Fiat because it has been a sales success ever since its launch. It sold so well that it often said that it saved the company in the 2008 economical crisis. So how big would the fear be of failing to successfully reinvent the car when developing the successor? It must have been immense pressure on the whole company, especially with the shift towards EVs. A pragmatic approach eased the pressure a bit: they're still selling the older models. Brilliant move? Perhaps, but it does offer the best of both worlds for the company and sales figures seem to confirm they made the right choice doing this.

Electrifying Future

One letter makes all the difference here, the letter 'E' that is. Slapped behind the three numbers, it indicates that the 2020 Nuova 500 is in fact an EV. America already had the 2007 Fiat 500 as an EV in 2013, but that thing looks extremely dated compared to what this generation offers. Offered with a 24 kWh battery pack and a 42 kWh package, the current 500e can come with 95 horsepower for the smaller battery and 118 horsepower for the big Watt-storage. I tested the biggest battery, so the review is all about that version.

Fiat didn't stray far from their strategy of the older 500, there's a massive list of options and flavors available. Different chassis, different rims, paints, and already editions too! For chassis there's the regular Berlina 3-door, the convertible, and the Trepiuno 4-door. Tested here is the Berlina, equipped with a fare amount of packs and options. Those packs include Comfort Pack (armrest, better seats), Winter Pack (heated seats and wipers), and Magic Eye Pack (automated headlights). As the car is an Icon trim, it gets many things as standard like the 10.25" inch infotainment. Various safety options are new to the 2021 Fiat 500e, as it now can come with Fiat Co-Driver - Autonomous Driving Level 2 and a 360-degree camera. Fiat has matured the little one in all ways possible it seems, allowing these options in such a small car means the 500 is now very capable of traveling well beyond city borders.

Six by Six

New cars usually grow and with a big part of this car's success relying on the cute little size, that could have posed a threat. But growing just 6 centimeters in length and width, it doesn't look bigger in real life. Nor did it become harder to park. The wheelbase has increased by 2.5 centimeters in this process and height by 4 centimeters but all that growth has to accommodate the new drivetrain, leaving little extra room for the passengers. I was happy with the panoramic roof, else my head would hit the roof (I'm 1.9m tall). Beau and Nick volunteered to try the car out too. Nick is a bit smaller, did have enough space to sit. Put those two in the back and it fits too. Put them in the back for 2 hours and you'll have effectively amputated a foot or two.

Joking set aside, the cabin is a nice place to reside in, albeit for a short drive or a longer one. The seating position isn't perfect, but very acceptable. There's very little sideway support, so don't get too enthusiastic cornering. Overall the cabin layout is good in terms of ergonomics. During driving the brilliantly styled and customizable dashboard reads perfectly and is bright enough even during sunny days. Storage place is plentiful if opted for. Materials you touch are of decent quality. Fiat is distracting you with little details is part of the allure of the 500 range. Some of them remind you of the fact that this car comes from Italy, other are things like the button to open the door (there's still a physical leaver too).

Using the infotainment can either be controlled by a touchscreen or via the steering wheel. The latter, as with any new car, has a vast amount of buttons on it. To keep it useable, Fiat has incorporated buttons on the backside. These allow you to pause music, skip songs, switch volume, and even switch sources. Surprisingly enough, this works very well. It takes a few moments to remember which is which, but after a little while I found myself using them all the time. On the visible side of the wheel, you'll find the buttons for the Co-Pilot systems, the phone buttons, and those that tune the dashboard. Switching between drive modes, we'll get to that in a bit, is done on the center console. Sadly, you sometimes have to flick these buttons three times before the car reacts.

It’s In the Details, The Devil Too

Details litter the new 500e on the outside too with plenty of unique traits. Not only do the eyes see these, but the ears can hear them too. How? Below 20 kilometers an hour, EVs are obligated to produce an audible sound. Fiat chose opera for this, no joke. But other details for EVs are far more crucial to get right. Things like how does it fast charge? It acccepts 85 kW of charging speed to up to 80% state of charge, which is a high percentage and a decent charge. A higher charge speed would eradicate the range issue for the 500e altogether, this works for 99% of all trips though. The battery size and range are no issue like they are in the MINI SE. City range was around 300 kilometers, combined around 250 kilometers, and in a headwind of 20 knots, you'll drain the juice after 200 kilometers. Overall the consumption hovered around 17.5 kW per 100 kilometers and that means charing at home makes the 500e cheaper to use than its petrol forefathers.

Usability plays a big part in EVs, and not just range. Buyers of the 500 aren’t futuristic experiencers, they want a 500 that runs on electrons. And if it wasn't for charging and a smaller range, the new Fiat 500e is as simple to use as the old 500 was. Even in terms of aesthetics, the car doesn't scream “EV.” It just sits there being cute in the Celestial Blue paint, looking all historically correct (first time I’m saying a car is cute).

How Does it Fare?

I was hoping for this car to drive like the MINI SE, but it simply isn't as refined. Not in terms of chassis, spring, and not in terms of acceleration. Don't get me wrong though, the car drives very well. But it simply isn't as refined as its premium counterpart. But if you drive in the city, the electric torque is a very entertaining feat of the drivetrain. Zero to fifty is done quickly enough to tease some VW Golf GTI owners. Torque comes in at and 220 Nm and plays a far bigger role in the drivetrain than the horsepower. Not only because of the beforementioned traffic-light-sprints but also in driving in multi-story car parks. Due to the ever-present torque, you never have to think about RPMs when you're driving up a hill. It all adds up to a very usable, easy-to-drive whole. Even on the highway, where it behaves more serene and composed than the previous generation, the torque allows for fast overtaking. On those higher speeds, using the Fiat-Co-Pilot adds up to a safe feeling. It engages easily with the buttons on the steering wheel and the autonomous systems will reduce the need for steering input drastically. The system isn't as refined as I would wish when it decides it can't help you anymore. There's a soft sound, and off it goes. Mid corner this can be a surprise.

Drive modes in the 500e come in three flavors. Sherpa, the most range-focused mode. This doesn't allow for maximum acceleration or speeds above 80 KPH until you press through kick-down. Then there's Range, which is a softer version of Sherpa. And last on the list is Normal, which means all creature comforts on and no recuperation until you start braking. I found myself in Range the most, as this allows for the so-called 'one paddle driving.' This means that, if anticipated correctly, you don't have to use the brake paddle at all. The only downside to this mode is that you have manually engaged the climate control, as this turns off because of the settings in Range. Sadly, the levels of recuperation aren't adjustable.

Another Mouth Watering Succes

So did Fiat get it right? Are we looking at another automotive icon/success that other manufacturers will envy? I genuinely think so, but only if they keep updating the EV-tech and seek ways to reduce the price. The larger 42 kWh package is enough for daily use but not by a very big margin. That smaller battery will only suffice if you never intend to leave the city. Prices won't be a problem for now, with sufficient governments are subsidizing around 5-10% of this car's price. The version tested here crawls towards the €35K(BE) mark, comparable to well-equipped Abarths.

There's a great balance between the old and new in this 500e. Aesthetics make you dream about the past, the electric engine warps you into the future. Everything feels familiar to use, despite it being an EV. The whole of the car is more mature than the 500 has ever been, and that's due to the infotainment and safety features. Everything adds in this little car, adding up to a whole other take on EVs than we've seen to date. A cute one.

Tested: Fiat 500e | Never Change A Winning Team