2024 Fiat 500e Chicago Car Guy Review

2024 Fiat 500e
Affordable, all-electric city car

By Larry Nutson
Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
THE AUTO CHANNEL

The first half of 2024 is behind us. The U.S. new-car market lost some momentum in the second quarter as affordability, elevated prices and higher borrowing costs continued to weigh on consumers.

The political climate is not helping things. Car buyers have some uncertainty. Data from Cox Automotive indicates the retail share of new vehicle sales is down to less than 80% of the total retail plus fleet sales.

New vehicle prices are high. With the present high interest rates, monthly payments are averaging $726. Electric vehicles (EVs) are selling, but sales increases are at a lower rate than in 2023. Overall EV sales in 2024 are around eight percent of the total market.

High EV prices compared to an equivalent gasoline powered vehicle, less than satisfactory driving range, and the lack of convenient and readily available public battery recharging infrastructure are all concerns of potential buyers.

The good news for those who are shopping for an EV is more new models are coming to the market. There’s more to choose from depending on the role you want an EV to play in your household fleet. According to Fuel Economy.gov there are 242 different EV model variants to choose from. Body configurations include Small Cars, Family Sedans, Luxury/Upscale Sedans, SUVs, and Pickups. Have a look: HERE

Enter the 2024 Fiat 500e---an all-new, Mini-compact, front-wheel drive, 4-seat, 2-door hatchback city car.

You may be aware that there was a 500e sold in the U.S from 2011 to 2019. Now, five years later, there’s an entirely new 2024 500e built on a dedicated BEV platform which has been on sale in Europe for four years.

It’s wider by 2.3 inches and longer by 0.8 inch than the previous ICE model and weighs less than 3,000 lbs. An AC three-phase, permanent magnetic rotor, 117 hp (87 kW) electric motor produces 162 lb.-ft. (220 N•m) of torque. Power comes from a 42-kWh, high-voltage, lithium-ion battery system enabling zero to 60 mph acceleration in 8.5 seconds. The 500e has plenty of response---no average household needs a car that accelerates to 60mph in 4 seconds

The EPA-certified estimated driving range rating is 149 miles of combined city/highway driving. EPA fuel economy equivalent ratings are 116 MPGe combined city/highway, with a 127 MPGe city rating and a 104 MPGe highway rating. Note that the city rating is the best.

A note on estimated driving range ratings. The 149 mile combined city/highway rating is determined following a series of EPA standardized lab test procedures that mimic real world conditions starting with a full 100% battery charge. Your actual driving range will vary depending on driving conditions, ambient temperature, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery pack age/condition, and other factors.

In the video “Inspired” Fiat CEO Olivier Francois says the pure city driving range of the 500e is 162 miles. Knowing both city and combined driving range, highway driving range calculates to 133 miles. Yes, the best use-case for a BEV is in lower speed, stop-and-go city driving.

Fiat expects that the 500e will be a second car for most families.

The new 500e has improved interior space and storage. I’ve driven the previous version 500 and the new 2024 with its increased width makes the cabin a bit more comfortable for me---and my wife. The city car package made for easy maneuvering and parking on the congested streets of Chicago, where I make my home. I especially liked fitting into those on-street parking spaces that are just a wee bit too tight for even a compact car or crossover utility vehicle.

I made use of the 500e doing typical household errands like grocery shopping, dry cleaner drop-offs and pick-ups, visiting our favorite adult-beverage store and so on. There is plenty of space behind the front seats to do all this. With everything so close together in terms of distance, not many miles of battery charge get used.

Normal, Range and Sherpa drive modes are available with the Fiat 500e to suit any driving style. I used the Range mode consistently because it activates one-pedal-drive function, which optimizes regenerative braking to capture more energy when coasting. In my overall driving experience I averaged 160.2MPGe---33.2MPGe or 26% better than the EPA rating.

500e is equipped with a comprehensive list of collision warning, collision intervention, and driving control assistance features. The Uconnect5 infotainment system is among the best.

The all-electric 500e is offered in Red edition priced at $32,500 and available now. Inspired By Beauty, Inspired By Music and Inspired By Los Angeles models each priced at $36,000 and coming in Q3/2024. Destination and shipping charge is $1,595 additional.

Every 2024 Fiat 500e comes with a level 2 charging wall unit or $600 of public charging credits through Free2move Charge to ease the transition to electrification.

Fiat 500e is priced well below overall EV transaction prices—the average price paid for an electric vehicle in June 2024 was $56,371. The smart deal is leasing. The lease payment terms has factored in a $7,500 EV Incentive which comes from the Federal EV Tax Credit. An important element of this is the tax credit cap on household income does not apply when any EV is leased. So, if you need a second, or third, or perhaps even fourth car in your household fleet this is a smart way to go. (If my daughters were still in high school they would be driving the Fiat 500e the 2 miles each way to school each day.)

Like humans, EVs find moderate temperatures at around 70°F to be the most amenable. You usually won’t need to charge every night. For routine weekly at-home over-night charging you’ll have the Fiat-provided Level 2-240 volt charger at your residence. It’s key to a good ownership experience. If you live in a cold climate area it is best to be able to garage a BEV. Say goodbye to buying gas---or your teenager asking for gas money.

As for public chargers, the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program (NEVI) supports charger installation along the US interstate and highway system. Subsequently, it will support local installations. Each of the 50 states is responsible to award contacts and manage their installation plans. The goal is completion by 2030. Patience, please.

BEV prices are coming down. Battery technology is changing to increase driving range and reduce charging time. Public charger installation to enable road trips is progressing. At this point in time I see a BEV as a secondary vehicle in a household, for most. And yes, for some a BEV could be the only vehicle. It all depends, as is said.

By the way, Green Car Journal has named the Fiat 500e 2024 Urban Green Car of the Year.

Ciao!

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