2024 Fiat 500e - Is this the perfect city car?

 

As you all know, I am not a huge EV fan. On the other hand I am a fan of the Fiat 500, especially the late, lamented Abarth. The 500, any 500, is a fun little car that never ceases to make me smile. To me it is a TARDIS (bigger on the inside). For such a small car (it is just under 12 ft long) the seating position makes it feel bigger. 

You really can't tell from the picture but the seats are not way down there, making the Fiat 500 one of the easiest cars to get in or out of. To top it off the seat cushion is deep enough to give good thigh support. Although the seat adjustments are manual I had no problem getting a comfortable position.

You can fit two in the back seat but they should be small folks. There isn't a ton of storage behind the rear seat but with the seat folded down it is good, more than enough for your grocery runs.

The electric motor is rated at 117 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, more than ample for the 2,952 lb. 500e. The EPA says the 500e has a range of up to 149 miles. 

One of the things, in fact the main gripe I have for most EVs is the inconvenience and time it takes to charge. I was pleasantly surprised that it only took about a half hour for the 500e to charge from 47% to 95%. This was at an Electrify America charging station. I think part of the speed is due to the smallish battery (42 KWh).

Perhaps the most difficult aspect to get used to with many EVs, including the 500e, is the regenerative braking that automatically slows the car when you take your foot off the accelerator. With practice you rarely have to use the brake pedal (but always stay vigilant).

One little feature that has stuck with me is what I call the "outro tune." When you turn off the 500e a snippet of a tune plays. Fiat says it is the only vehicle that "sings" but I could not find a description of what it sings. I swear I heard a few notes of "Joy To The World", Google says the "turn off" song is "Armacord". Whatever it was pleasant.

The Fiat 500e is one of the least expensive EVs; the test version, called Inspi(Red), is $32,500. Other Inspired version start at $36,000. 

I'm still not 100% sold on EVs but I did like the 500e. It just may be the perfect city car. Check it out at fiatusa.com.