Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Fiat 500 review - a fun and affordable EV city car

"The Fiat 500 has been reborn with electric power. It's an even better city car but the price has gone up considerably"

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

2.8 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Price
£24,995 - £33,995

Pros

  • Cheap to run
  • 199-mile range
  • Desirable

Cons

  • Small boot
  • Expensive to buy
  • Very light steering

Verdict – is the Fiat 500 a good car?

​A successful switch to electric power shows the Fiat 500 will be around for some time yet. In top trim it has an impressive range and it’s one of the best value electric cars on sale. Overall, the electric 500 is a very good city car and is well-deserving of our 2023 Best Small Electric Car award. Its main drawbacks are its small boot and lack of five doors if you need more practicality. 

Fiat 500 models, specs and alternatives

The third-generation Fiat 500 city car arrived over half a century and six million sales after Italy's favourite small car first launched. It marks a historic turning point, too – this 500 is all-electric, which should be no surprise given the Fiat's trendsetting past. Its importance for the brand's future can't be overstated.

the best small electric carsTop 10 best small electric cars 2025

For the time being, Fiat is also selling the ‘old’ mild-hybrid petrol 500 for those who want a cheaper-to-buy small car, but the 'new' 500 comes with two zero-emissions powertrains.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Trim levels include the range-topping La Prima, while the entry-level Red trim costs from just over £28,000, and Fiat offers competitive finance deals, including Fiat's own £3,000 'E-Grant' incentive. While it may seem a lot for a Fiat 500, it makes it very competitively priced against rivals like the MINI Cooper, Peugeot E-208 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Two versions of the electric 500 are offered: the entry-level version has a smaller battery and  94bhp. Available as a hatchback or with a retractable fabric roof, the 500 is also the UK's first electric convertible with four seats, but the soft top does increase its price by around £2,500. 

Like other electric cars, if you can stomach the relatively high price for a city car – or more likely find an affordable finance deal – the running costs start to pay dividends immediately. VED (road tax) is free, company car drivers will face small bills and recharging the battery at home costs less than you’d pay for petrol. The range-topping 500's 42kWh battery also gives it a range of up to 199 miles – nine miles further than that of the entry-level MINI Cooper, but behind the Cooper SE’s 250-mile range. If you stick to urban journeys in the Fiat though, the brand claims it can manage a range of up to 285 miles on a charge.

With 117bhp and instant pulling power, top versions of the 500 feel effortlessly quick around town, getting up to speed in next to no time. It also has a sharp turning circle and its suspension can cope with most potholes, making it an ideal urban runaround. Its range and up to 85kW fast charging should also make occasional longer trips relatively straightforward.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The less expensive 500 gets a 23.9kWh battery and its official range is 118 miles, increasing to around 150 miles if you stay at city speeds. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 9.5 seconds – half-a-second slower than the more expensive version.

Fiat has been careful to preserve the 500's unmistakable design, despite the car growing in every direction. Most impressively, the addition of a large battery pack hasn't made the cute Fiat look too tall – it's gained only 26mm in height. Meanwhile, features such as split LED headlights lend a modern look. The 500 no longer needs a front grille thanks to its electric powertrain, and this is also reminiscent of early 500s, which had the engine mounted in the rear.

Clean lines extend to the interior, where there's now less clutter and a wider fascia. The infotainment system is far more powerful, thanks to the arrival of U Connect 5, with a digital instrument display and high-definition 10.25-inch touchscreen. Occupants will enjoy more space and there's a better driving position, but the boot remains compact at 185 litres.

Safety also takes a leap forward, thanks to new sensors that offer the latest autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping and blind-spot monitoring functionality to help avoid collisions. The electric Fiat 500 has been awarded a four-star Euro NCAP rating, which is a reasonable score for a car of this size; in the same group of tests, the Renault ZOE got rescored to zero stars. Top-spec La Prima versions of the 500 add a 360-degree view and blind-spot monitoring.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    70kW 24kWh 3dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £24,995

Most Economical

  • Name
    87kW 42kWh 3dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £27,995

Fastest

  • Name
    87kW 42kWh 3dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £27,995

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Polestar 2 review – Tesla Model 3's fiercest rival?
Polestar 2 front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
14 Feb 2025

Polestar 2 review – Tesla Model 3's fiercest rival?

Lexus NX review – an efficient, upmarket hybrid SUV
Lexus NX front quarter
In-depth reviews
14 Feb 2025

Lexus NX review – an efficient, upmarket hybrid SUV

New Volkswagen ID.EVERY1 concept car shown off in sketch images
Volkswagen ID EVERY1 concept front quarter
News
13 Feb 2025

New Volkswagen ID.EVERY1 concept car shown off in sketch images

Alpine A290 review – the most fun electric hot hatch yet
Alpine A290 front quarter driving
In-depth reviews
12 Feb 2025

Alpine A290 review – the most fun electric hot hatch yet

Have You Considered

Cupra Born review – a good-value and fun electric hatchback
Cupra Born hatchback
In-depth reviews
28 Jan 2025

Cupra Born review – a good-value and fun electric hatchback

BMW iX2 review – upmarket electric coupe SUV
BMW iX2
In-depth reviews
28 Jan 2025

BMW iX2 review – upmarket electric coupe SUV

Most Popular

Engine management light: what to do if it comes on
Engine warning light
Tips and advice
30 Jan 2025

Engine management light: what to do if it comes on

Best new car deals 2025: this week’s top car offers
Carbuyer best new car deals hero
Deals
14 Feb 2025

Best new car deals 2025: this week’s top car offers

Subaru Forester review – a dependable hybrid SUV
Subaru Forester front quarter
In-depth reviews
12 Feb 2025

Subaru Forester review – a dependable hybrid SUV

More on 500 electric

The 10 fastest depreciating cars on sale today
Fastest depreciating cars
News
6 Feb 2025

The 10 fastest depreciating cars on sale today

Depreciation is often the biggest expense of car ownership, and these cars are the worst culprits
The best convertible cars on sale 2025
Top 10 best convertibles
Best cars
11 Jan 2025

The best convertible cars on sale 2025

The best convertibles and cabriolets aren't just toys for the summer, they can be used all year round
The 10 cheapest electric cars you can buy today
Cheapest electric cars
Best cars
7 Oct 2024

The 10 cheapest electric cars you can buy today

Here are the cheapest electric cars you can buy new in the UK right now
Top 10 best city cars 2025
best city cars
Best cars
25 Apr 2024

Top 10 best city cars 2025

City cars are some of the most affordable and frugal cars on sale – these are the best
Top 10 best first cars for new drivers 2025
The best first cars 2023
Best cars
17 Apr 2024

Top 10 best first cars for new drivers 2025

A good first car needs to be many things, including affordable, reliable and safe. Here’s our pick of the best
Hot car deal: high-spec Fiat 500 EV for £180 a month
Fiat 500 electric
Deals
24 Jan 2024

Hot car deal: high-spec Fiat 500 EV for £180 a month

After an all-electric city car that’s jam-packed with kit? Our hot car deal for January 23rd is the Fiat 500e for just £180 a month
Best road tax-free cars 2025
The best road tax-free cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Best road tax-free cars 2025

Only new electric and hydrogen-powered cars are free from annual road tax today, but a range of used cars and classic cars are also exempt
New Fiat 500 La Prima by Bocelli special edition launched
Fiat 500 La Prima by Bocelli charging
News
13 Apr 2022

New Fiat 500 La Prima by Bocelli special edition launched

Top-of-the-range Fiat 500 EV gains powerful JBL sound system
Skip advert
Advertisement
Fiat 500 RED editions launched as part of charity partnership
Fiat 500 RED
News
15 Oct 2021

Fiat 500 RED editions launched as part of charity partnership

Both Fiat 500 models and the 500X SUV get red-themed editions, starting from £16,435
Fiat 500: old vs new
News
8 Jan 2021

Fiat 500: old vs new

The new ‘Mk3’ Fiat 500 is only available as an electric car - how does it compare to the old model?

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

The 10 best electric cars in 2025
Bets electric cars 2025
Best cars
31 Jan 2025

The 10 best electric cars in 2025

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2025
Best cheap to run cars
Best cars
8 Jan 2025

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2025

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2025
Fastest hot hatchbacks 2025
Best cars
22 Jan 2025

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2025