2018 FIAT 500e Review
2018 FIAT 500e Review





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Edmunds' Expert Review

byCameron Rogers
Senior News Editor
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.Pros
- Nimble handling
- Compact and easy to park
- Typically more affordable than other EVs
Cons
- Dinky cargo space and back seat
- 84 miles of range is less than most EVs
- Missing the latest driver safety aids
- Sales are limited to California and Oregon
What’s new
A rearview camera is now standard. Otherwise the 2018 Fiat 500e is unchanged from last year's model.
Vehicle overview
When it was introduced in 2013, the Fiat 500e fit right in with the electric vehicles of the time. The 500e was small, inexpensive and had a range that we called "an above-average number for an EV." But with the advent of cars such as the Chevrolet Bolt and the Tesla Model 3, the bar has been raised. Without any significant changes to its battery technology over the last five years, the 2018 Fiat 500e is no longer as competitive as it once was.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 FIAT 500e Battery Electric 2dr Hatchback (electric DD) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $0.13 per kWh for electricity and $5.23 per gallon average in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$47/mo
500e Battery Electric
vs
$233/mo
Avg. Compact Car
The 500e does offer some things that other EVs don't. It has an expressive design and excellent handling characteristics, and its short wheelbase and narrow track make it ideal for city dwellers who have trouble finding roomy parking spaces. The 500e has also been one of the most affordable EVs to lease over the past few years.
However, the 500e's diminutive stature makes for a compact cabin and cargo area, and the small battery pack only offers 84 miles of range. As an affordable runabout, it's worth considering, but know that rivals such as the Bolt, Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen e-Golf are superior EVs overall.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
The 2018 Fiat 500e is cute, stylish and stands out from the crowd. We also like its fun-to-drive nature. But its short range, small cargo capacity and limited availability might give some prospective buyers pause.
Driving
The 500e is an entertaining electric vehicle, with good moves at every turn. It's actually quicker to 60 mph than the regular Fiat 500. Driving that enthusiastically will greatly reduce range, however, so it's best to keep a light foot.
Acceleration
Copious electric-motor torque imparts a good drive-away feel from a stop. Our 500e scooted to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, which is above average in the EV world and even bests the gasoline-powered Fiat 500.
Braking
The brake pedal is firm and reassuring, and routine in-town stops feel, well, routine. Our panic stop from 60 mph took 129 feet — a little long, but not alarmingly so.
Steering
The steering wheel feels oddly heavy when driving straight, but it wakes up nicely and gives good feedback when turning through corners. Strangely, the 500e is more responsive than the standard Fiat 500.
Handling
The 500e stands apart from other electric vehicles with its great balance and an eagerness to turn. It's one of the more entertaining electric vehicles on the market.
Drivability
Smooth is the order of the day, but we wish the Fiat 500e had a mode you could set to enable extra regenerative braking force.
Comfort
The Fiat 500e is quiet, but its suspension delivers a busier and more unsettled ride on uneven surfaces than we'd like.
Seat comfort
The front-seat adjustments are fairly basic, but the cushion and backrest provide adequate support.
Ride comfort
The Fiat 500e pitches and bucks on its short wheelbase more than expected. A standard 500 rides better.
Noise & vibration
In true EV fashion, the 500e glides around in silence, at least when it comes to noise from the motor. Tire noise is noticeable, but mainly because there's no noise from anything else.
Interior
Like a regular Fiat 500, the 500e suffers from two things: form over function and, to a greater degree, a back seat that isn't terribly practical for family use. Think of it as a two-seater and you'll get along with it much better.
Ease of use
We've never liked the 500's window switch controls, trip computer reset buttons or seat-height adjuster. Add a weird push-button shifter with no enhanced EV regen mode to our list of gripes.
Getting in/getting out
The wide doors offer easy entry to the front seats, but the rear seats are hard to wriggle into. This is not the right car if you plan to haul adults or even teens in the back seat.
Roominess
There is good head- and legroom up front, but the rear seat isn't something you'd want to depend on unless the driver is short.
Visibility
It's easy to see out the front, but the center door post seems to be in the way when checking your blind spot. Rear visibility is about average for this kind of car.
Utility
There isn't much room for cargo behind the rear seats if someone is sitting there. They need to be folded to get much utility. The 500e works best in the two-seat configuration.
Which 500e does Edmunds recommend?
Choosing which 2018 Fiat 500e to buy is easy because it only comes in one trim. The only options are a sunroof and the eSport package, which gives the 500e a distinctive look for a negligible extra cost.
2018 FIAT 500e models
The 2018 Fiat 500e is a two-door, pure electric hatchback sold in a single, well-equipped trim level (the gasoline-powered Fiat 500 is reviewed separately). The 500e is powered by an 83-kilowatt electric motor (111 horsepower, 147 pound-feet of torque) channeled to the front wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission. A rechargeable 24-kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the motor. The EPA estimates the 500e can travel up to 84 miles on a full charge. Fiat claims a 24-hour charge time from empty using a typical 120-volt outlet, while a Level 2 charger will do the job in about four hours.
Standard features for the 500e include 15-inch alloy wheels, foglights, heated mirrors, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, remote locking and unlocking, automatic climate control, a driver information display, full power accessories, cruise control, manually adjustable heated front seats with driver-side height adjustment, premium vinyl upholstery, a leather-wrapped and tilt-adjustable steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 50/50-split folding rear seats, floor mats and a cargo cover. Standard technology features include Bluetooth, navigation, voice commands, a 5-inch touchscreen, and a six-speaker Alpine audio system with satellite radio, a USB port and an auxiliary audio jack.
The only options are a sunroof and the eSport appearance package, which includes darkened exterior lamp bezels, orange exterior trim pieces, and special 15-inch wheels for a more customized look.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 FIAT 500e.
Most helpful consumer reviews
3 out of 5 stars
Great Car, Real crappy Fiat Lease Management
Jubil Mathew,12/31/2018
Battery Electric 2dr Hatchback (electric DD)
The Fiat dealership and management was great when leasing the Fiat. The car was great to drive, had a few issues with charging initially, firmware upgrades, Auto Windows broke in between. when it got time to return the vehicle, the service was crappy. The closet dealership to return was 50 miles away, the car would not drive across highways to reach the dealership. The fiat roadside … assistance would not cover the extra miles. Crappy Fiat management of lease options.
5 out of 5 stars
Fiat 500e at a Toyota Dealer
Jon,01/03/2022
Battery Electric 2dr Hatchback (electric DD)
I’ve only had this car for a week, but I like what I’ve seen so far. It’s going to be a perfect around town vehicle.
Safety
Our experts like the 500e models:
- ParkSense Rear Park Assist System
- Sounds an alert as the Fiat 500 approaches an object behind the car.
- ParkView Rear Backup Camera
- Displays an image of the area directly behind the car in the central touchscreen.
- Hill Start Assist
- Keeps the brakes applied even after you let your foot off the pedal while on a hill to prevent rolling backward.
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More about the 2018 FIAT 500e
Used 2018 FIAT 500e Overview
The Used 2018 FIAT 500e is offered in the following submodels: 500e Hatchback. Available styles include Battery Electric 2dr Hatchback (electric DD). The Used 2018 FIAT 500e comes with front wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 1-speed direct drive. The Used 2018 FIAT 500e comes with a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. basic warranty, a 4 yr./ unlimited mi. roadside warranty, and a 4 yr./ 50000 mi. powertrain warranty.
What's a good price on a Used 2018 FIAT 500e?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which used 2018 FIAT 500es are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 FIAT 500e for sale near. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a used car from our massive database to find cheap prew-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the AutoCheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 2018 FIAT 500e.
Can't find a used 2018 FIAT 500es you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
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Should I lease or buy a 2018 FIAT 500e?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out FIAT lease specials
Check out FIAT 500e lease specials
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