FIAT 500e Icon First Drive Review: FIAT's Most Important Car!

[@briangriffiths114]

I had an extended test drive of a 500e last week and, as a previously dedicated petrolhead, it made a huge impression on me. I've only ever driven manual cars before and I found one pedal driving much easier. So, my Twingo GT will be replaced by the Fiat in the next couple of weeks once my new car arrives at the dealer.

[@StefABtv]

Yeah the 500e is a really good car. Impressed me

[@marklola12]

Hey did the car arrive yet, I've ordered one today I'd have gone with the free white colour but we're all gone so had to pay extra £10 a month for black, got it on lease to replace my current lease car Did you order the icon version?

[@briangriffiths114]

@@marklola12 Got mine in late December as my national dealership had a few Passion models in stock at the time, all in Rose Gold with 16 inch alloys. It's great to drive in one pedal Range mode and that instant torque is amazing. My longest trip to date was 77 miles on a cold December day which used 50% of the battery capacity, so I'm happy with that. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do!

[@marklola12]

@@briangriffiths114 oh good, it should be ok for me, it's smallest car I'd have had, had a civic, and now have a date crossback. Was getting a 208 but wanted a EV and this was cheapest one really that was ok, with enough battery range for me. I'd have got the id3 but it was beyond my budget...plus the base model of that does not have alloys...it has those horrid plastic wheel covers which I thought were stopped decade or so ago lol I don't drive far, I had the civic for 4 years and only did about 13k, and I've had my crossback since July 2020 and it's only just got to 2400....though some of that lack of mileage could be lockdowns but I still don't drive far Is the passion one the base model? Before I ordered mine noticed the passion one was lower spec with the smaller screen etc but it was actually more money a month. I got a bargain I think on the icon one

[@briangriffiths114]

@@marklola12 The Passion was the mid-range model with the 42 KW/h battery but has since been replaced by the Red series. I am very old school and never use the tablet so it remains switched off! The car does have a mini-SUV feel with quite an elevated driving position. It feels quite spacious and very like my previous car, the Twingo GT. I agree with you about these horrible wheel trims which is why I have the graphite alloys. I am sure you will really enjoy the car when it arrives.

[@aldo90731]

I enjoy your Abarth and Fiat videos. This car looks pretty compelling. I got an email from Fiat USA that 500e is coming to North America. I am excited! I own a 2018 Spider 124 Abarth at the moment; absolutely love it. I can see myself getting a 500e when the time comes to get rid of the Spider in a few years.

[@darknessislight3689]

I’ve always loved the Fiat 500 ❤ I’m so happy it’s coming back 🇺🇸 not everyone here wants giant trucks and suvs. Fantastic review 🥇🏆 well done 🙂

[@pdtech4524]

Very smart move by Fiat, I think a Panda EV is their next move! I currently drive a Fiat Panda 4x4 twinair so it's the little 875cc 2 cylinder turbo engine that developes around 85bhp, so it's no slouch. For most drivers a commute or shopping trip of 10 miles or less is perfect for a car like the 500e. To be honest most of my car journeys are 10 or 20 miles at most. It's only if we go visit a distant relative or go on holiday, that I need 100+ mile range, so a charging stop would have to be factored in each way probably? Certainly in a couple of years, I think I'll be looking to purchase an EV.

[@karelnoe2419]

I own 1, and it brings a smile to my face every day. When I drive by many people turn their heads, a small car with a big personality. Last Saturday I drove 433 km with only 1 charge stop from 10% to 90% in 30 mins, which is amazing imho. I commute every day like 40 km on a single charge/week. going once a week to the supermarket to charge it for free. long live 500e.

[@paulhayes2189]

433km. Was it all downhill???? In normal driving in summer mine gets 230km tops

[@ericberry1464]

hands down - my favorite reviewer! thank you for your great take on the 500e.

[@StefABtv]

Thank you so much

[@tavners8044]

Glad I have my 70 reg abarth 1800 miles. Will keep for year's. 👍

[@richardhargrave6082]

Nice review again Steff, hope your dog enjoyed the stick as much as you enjoyed the car! We considered a 500e, after a twin-air 500 & 4 Abarths, we couldn't help but think about it, but we really need a 5 door, so had to drop the idea. If the range was 200-250, then it would have been a very serious consideration. If we needed a second car then its the one to go for. Electric is coming and a bit like you, I'm starting to look forward to it. In three of four years, when we are due to change the car again (waiting for my last combustion car to be delivered in March) I think the tech will be good and there will be some interesting cars to drive, hopefully for a reasonable price.

[@StefABtv]

Haha he did! Thank you!

[@CumminsVoortman]

Great great car. Very slick. Great work by FIAT. Yes will be a success. Great review again. Always like the Italian car reviews.

[@paulcoles3265]

You might be late to the party but this is the best real world review of the 500-e that I’ve seen. Genuinely lovely stuff as always Stef…

[@StefABtv]

Thank you so much

[@stevegaudreau67]

Nice review. If fiat gives it the Abarth treatment it'll be interesting. The Tesla model S plaid has the ability to pipe exhaust sound both inside and outside the car. You can download many different types of exhaust sounds (ferrari, SRT Challenger, Camaro, Mustang etc) there are literally speakers outside of the car to kick the exhaust sound since Tesla is fully electric.

[@lochamb1234]

I have just purchased this car in white. Alas, the Passion model is no longer being manufactured so this model it is. I have it on order and will be here, fingers crossed 🤞 in January. Great review by the way.

[@StefABtv]

Thank you. It’s a great car. Was really impressed

[@The_Real_MangoNo5]

Nice review I have already gone and bought one of these (great car) and the one thing that all reviews of this car seem to not tackle is the software and the interaction between the App and the car. As we move to the new electric era, the software is just as important as the mechanics and increasingly have a major interdependence. So far the software has been extremely buggy coupled with very poor support direct from Fiat. No software is 100% but the customer support is truly terrible.

[@Julien_jr_RTR]

Love the Style of 500e, the same car with 🦂petrol inside😜💥🇮🇹

[@sevesellors2831]

Great review wonderful car thanks for allowing me to be your passenger. When I go EV this is the one for me. Loved my twin air.

[@richardcarter1000]

Great review Buy a petrol Abarth while you can. EVs are just too dull for me to get excited about.

[@darrenhuxter2061]

I've been driving a 2014 500L for a couple months. I'm doing some improvements for when my kid can drive in a couple years. Then I'm getting a 500e shipped to Canada.

[@jamesfernley8492]

Great review steff I also think it’s a great car I will be getting one with the abarth badge on

[@StefABtv]

Thank you!

[@dennisalexanderreilly8624]

Great review, I have the first gen here in California as my daily driver, and while I love the car the 24 kilowatt pack is really frustrating at times. Sadly we will never get the Gen 2 model in the states. I can only wish....

[@stanislas4990]

Great review. I have just driven a Fiat 500e. It was my rental car for a few days, and it was a good surprise as it's a very pleasant car for the city, with a nice interior (more luxurious than the old Fiat 500), and a great design. However the range is not so good.

[@paulrichman507]

Great review mate, may have sold it to me! Out of interest what colour is the car you test drove? Really nice but doesn't seem to be an option anymore from what I can see :(

[@alfageorge6432]

I just ordered mine 👍🏻 test drove it and it‘s more than i need to get to work and back . It’s a really good electric car and a big upgrade from the previous interiors of the 500. For the weekends well i still have my Giulia 💪🏻

[@tom4626]

As an ex 2017 Abarth Comp owner hand on heart the 500e is better in most areas. Put suspension on it, brembos and body kit and you’d be laughing.

[@StefABtv]

It is a good car. Bodes well for Abarth

[@tom4626]

@@StefABtv if we owned the 500e la Prima I’d tinker with mine. But it’s on a PCP so reluctant to play. Cert

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

These are everywhere here in Luxembourg as are Abarths. Plenty of range for a city car, I’d probably only need to charge this once a week. The issue though is what happens when you do need to do a long distance, the charging networks just aren’t there yet.

[@chriscuthbertson]

I really fancy one of these but at the moment I would have to rely on public charging as I cannot charge at home and my workplace is yet to install charging points. Not sure how much of an issue this would be.

[@StefABtv]

Charging infrastructure is getting better each month. Just need to give it more time especially if you can’t charge at home or work

[@RevvingIT]

Same exactly infotainment from the Maserati MC20! Cool!!

[@JayTee124]

Great review, great car. Love the matt paint 👌

[@StefABtv]

Thank you mate

[@endeavourist5287]

"Apollo 13 Mode". Hahaha I love that. Sherpa Mode is a great idea though.

[@StefABtv]

😂😂😂

[@Cornwall1888]

I love the light blue one, beautiful paint job

[@saeyimkuon7394]

I love your videos. But I don't like electric cars.

[@marklola12]

I take back what I said below I've actually ordered one on lease, had ordered a 208 GT petrol which was actually alot cheaper on lease than the 500e icon but I really wanted a smaller electric car, I am tall so was worried but seen videos about tall people in these etc and they are all fine with it. Can you remember if the icon you drove had LED headlights? Just after I ordered the icon I noticed it's only got led daylights and the halogen headlights

[@sixone7478]

Hi Stef what is that paint called? Nice review btw.

[@sixtiesmods]

I have an Abarth 595 Comp in Lime green, but i'm wondering about electric but not sure if the Abarth will be as good, as no exhaust noise plus what will you get - a body kit. I'm liking the 500e but with a bigger battery as I do travel from Bristol to Newcastle Upon Tyne often. Also if my petrol Comp will lose value in a year or so as more electric cars come out. What are your thoughts

[@OriginalEpicCasino]

Fiat 500e is a good looking car The abarth models in the u.s come with cruise control

[@MrRoyck10]

Matching colour to Rolo, but don’t trust me on colour though, I detract, l like the Honda E as it looks so cool. Good content as we are all gearing up to the inevitable electric car best suited for the London commute.

[@StefABtv]

Haha yep. Rollo liked this one

[@MarkyMMP]

Great review Stef.. nice to see Centerforce 883 on the dial…

[@JuanManuelTastzian]

Loved the review, Stef! Cool car, nice colour. What I missed and would have liked you to talk about is it's practicality regarding storage. I imagine it has a small boot in the rear and maybe another one in the front? Could you go get a decent amount of groceries in this one?

[@StefABtv]

Thank you. Boot size is pretty similar to the old car. Pass on the front. Should have check that 😂

[@marklola12]

There is not space under bonnet

[@karelnoe2419]

@@StefABtv no space under the bonnet, in the back more than enough for your shopping and the back seat is in 2 parts which gives you a lot of extra storage when needed

[@friederich66]

for charging: we can charge that with 3-phase and 11 kW in germany

[@ERICtheLATE]

The crushed pearl passion fruit color is ok, and was seen on an Aston Martin suv, but really hope the Monopoly 3 let some of these, with the steering wheel and pedals on the left side, into the country. They may be in humidors in the California shore freight lines. One question: In regen mode, does it light the break lights when the gas pedal is let off, and the kinetic energy starts to feed the lipod? This is a flaw of manual cars, you can do some major deceleration with down shifting, or letting off the gas, but the navigator/pilot/and bevarage and snack browser behind you gets no clues into the remaining 10% of their attention span.

[@HygienistDentist]

Also what's this color called? Their online colors don't look like this matte gray

[@EKDrifter458]

Great review Stef. There is an exact same spec model in front of my desk at work. I agree, the interior is so much better than before. Very curious about the electric Abarth too.

[@StefABtv]

Cheers man

[@marklola12]

Tbh I think all cars should be capped speed at about 93mph, literally can not even go that speed legally on UK roads so what's the point lol

[@AR-zr1om]

Can’t wait for the abarth version

[@sixtiesmods]

does the car have an extra door on the drivers side as this would be handy to get my dog in and out without hurting my back

[@keithevans5667]

Love it.... Matt Blue is nice. Roll on the Abarth edition in 2023 / 24

[@richardsmith-gx7nt]

Good review but with all these reviews no price is never mentioned.

[@HygienistDentist]

They need to bring this to the United States! I'd buy a Cabrio over a Tesla any day!!!

[@marklola12]

id get a ev but pubic charging is bad where i am and i am financially stretched as it is so paying the extra for a home charger is a no go..the government grant makes no difference either..more so because the ev charger companies raise the prices and pocket the government grant and customers are really only paying what the home charger is worth anyway

[@only1stefan]

i love it i think its a great car i tested one for a week i liked it so much i bought one i get it this week as a daily :-)

[@StefABtv]

Really good aren’t they

[@only1stefan]

@@StefABtv well i got it yesterday a la Prima and honestly i love it its perfect the only thing so far i can nit pick at is the wireless charger is crap the output is not high enoug to charge my samsung s21 ultra byt thats it

[@zzhughesd]

I'm a fan of the new E. Is this a new car ground up or have much to do with the 08> 500

[@ObsLevelCrossings]

Price??

[@malgorzatam9089]

What color is ur car?

[@georgefarrell7819]

Will there be a electric 124 👀 ⚡️

[@StefABtv]

Unfortunately not

[@S2000Y]

Surely if they fitted this with a 100kwh battery it would have a 400 mile range and everybody would be happy ( or am i being naive)

[@sergentcolon1]

I doubt it would be possible to fit a 100kwh battery in a 500e without increasing the size of the car significantly. As higher kWh batteries are much bigger. It would need to be based on the Fiat 500 long which defeats the object of a small city car. It would also be a lot more expensive as the battery is a significant contributor to the cost. Those wanting longer range could look at the MG ZS with its 72 KWH battery.

[@alexisamtosta]

Good review but I pass electric cars. Wouldnt buy one

[@stanislas4990]

I don't like electric cars neither. I need an engine sound. But since I have driven the Fiat 500e, I have changed a little bit my mind. There is no sound, but it's quite pleasant to drive in the city, with quite good performance.

[@alexisamtosta]

@@stanislas4990 Yes the are good cars but electric is not my thing. I am a massive Fiat fan but electric cars, I wouldnt by from no brand at all.

[@stanislas4990]

@@alexisamtosta It's not my thing neither. I will buy cars with an engine as long as it will be possible to drive them in cities. However the Fiat 500e was a good surprise, and I didn't expect that.

[@alexisamtosta]

@@stanislas4990 For sure. They are great cars. I never driven an electric car. I used to really hate Smart's until I had to drive my mates one in Austria, then drove is from Austria to Portugal and today I do love them. It was a Smart Fortwo.

[@marklola12]

only 164 miles range ..god the lower batter one will be lucky to do 80 miles

[@sidrens5292]

Designed by one of my good mates 🙌🏼

[@johnpidgeon5810]

Seen a few on the road but quite expensive- Abarth version???

[@StefABtv]

Abarth will go full electric in 2024

[@andymccurley1]

Bad editing there on the 0/60 Stef!

[@mmigesh4735]

There’s a steering wheel. Use it and stop waving your hands about!

[@markbowden7238]

Fiat, bought Abarth and Lancia and Ferrari road cars and Alfa Romeo then merged with Chrysler and became Stellantis. Fiat Abarth 500e, not a proper Fiat, not a genuine Abarth, not even really a 500. Probably is, an OK city car like you said. But so is a Delta Integrale. And ownership of a Delta Integrale would be a good reason to leave the city permanently. Whereas owning an electric Stellantis would be a good reason to stay in the city, if you're not into driving. Case dismissed.

[@sergentcolon1]

Except new ice cars will disappear soon and petrol and diesel prices will increase and fewer petrol stations as they become uneconomic to run. The future is not in petrol and diesel cars and people need to realise it and move on.

[@doddsalfa]

0-40 is probably faster than Abarth

[@StefABtv]

Haha mad isn’t it. It’s defo nippy

[@HungarianWarHorse]

Electric abarth, like wearing a raincoat in the shower

[@61js]

I've heard that analogy used to describe another activity 😂😂

[@TG-pd3ft]

a bad car made even worse

[@johnbourne217]

You have not got a clue how to steer a car 😂

[@infernoking7504]

Its a fiat its Italian junk

[@tredfxman]

Be glad it dosent have the cheapest Peugeout gearbox! 😄

[@infernoking7504]

@footballcoreano you have never worked on a fiat theres a reason they say "tony fix it again" because they always break sure they may look good but thats it I would take any honda over a fiat

[@alexisamtosta]

@@infernoking7504 Guaranteed its not true what you are stating

[@StefABtv]

Lol no…