Review
Stellantis is gearing up to make Fiat showrooms cute again with a re-introduction 500 city car 2024 model year. This time around, the two-door hatchback will only be offered in electric 500e guise, which is likely to be powered by a 117bhp electric motor. This setup is already on sale in Europe, where it has an estimated range of up to 199 miles per charge – a number we expect will drop slightly when the EPA conducts testing in America. The 500e retains its retro-modern appeal, but with an updated exterior and interior that should add to its stylish appeal. A large 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system will likely work Uconnect 5 software interface, and the interior materials seem to have taken a big step forward from the overly plasticky cabin of the previous generation car. When the 500e goes on sale in 2024, it will face stiff competition from other electric cars that offer more interior space and longer range, but like the relaunched petrol-powered model Fiat brand in the US for 2011, the new 500e has hopes that it will win over buyers with its charming looks and Italian charm.
What’s new in 2024?
The 500e is new for 2024 after a hiatus from the US market since the 2019 model year. The production version is scheduled to be shown at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2023 and go on sale in the first quarter of 2024.
Pricing and which one to buy
It’s too early to say what trim levels the 2024 500e will be offered in, but if it does reflect the trim 500X SUV, we should see the entry-level Pop and the stylish Sport. When we learn more about the 500e’s pricing and standard features, we’ll update this story with those details and a recommendation on which one to buy.
Electric motor, power and performance
Fiat hasn’t revealed what will power the 500e when it goes on sale in North America, but it’s likely to use a more powerful 117-hp electric motor. European version. Front-wheel drive will likely be the only option, and we don’t expect Tesla-like acceleration. The last generation 500e came with a 111 hp electric motor. and required 8.4 seconds to reach 60 mph in our testing. The new model should offer similar performance. When we get a chance, we’ll take the new 500e for a test drive and update this story with driving impressions.
Range, charging and battery life
Elsewhere in the world, the 500e is offered with one of two battery packs, the larger of which delivers up to 299 miles of range under the European WLTP cycle. We think this will be difficult to achieve in real-world driving conditions in America, and expect the EPA range to be closer to 160 miles per charge if Fiat offers the same battery in the US version of the car.
Interior, comfort and cargo
While it’s still roughly the same size and shape as the last-generation 500e, the new model’s interior looks more upscale and features more modern technology. Three stylish concepts unveiled at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show hint at what Fiat might do to up the car’s style quotient, though we doubt any of them will make it to production. The car is likely to be offered in hatchback and convertible form, the latter with a retractable fabric roof, leaving the side roof rails in place. In Europe, Fiat sells a model with a new 3+1 door layout, where a small half of the door opens from the passenger side to help get into the back seat. It is not yet clear whether this model will reach the United States.
Infotainment system and communication
The Fiat 500e will likely come with a larger 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and more up-to-date software than the last model. A digital gauge display is also likely to be standard, with readings not only of speed but also of battery charge status. Fiat hasn’t released a full list of the 500e’s standard and optional features, but we expect wireless smartphone charging to be on the menu, along with in-dash navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
As more information becomes available, we’ll update this story with more details about:
- Fuel economy and actual MPGe
- Safety features and driver assistance
- Warranty and maintenance
https://www.caranddriver.com/fiat/a27435822/500e/
