Why Lease The 500 Electric Hatchback?
by: Fergus GrayFergus is a talented automotive writer specialising in automotive and sports content. He has a Level 3 qualification in content creation and previously worked for Boxxer and The Best of Bolton.
Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback Review 2023
The Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback represents a significant leap towards a greener, more sustainable future without compromising style and performance. As an urban electric car, it ticks many boxes that environmentally conscious drivers.
Rivals to the Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback include the Mini Electric and Peugeot e-208.
Our Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback review covers:
Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback Key Features
- Iconic retro styling while incorporating modern touches
- Surprisingly spacious and well-designed cabin for a compact car
- 185-litre boot, expanding to 550 litres with rear seats down
- Choice of two electric engines: 23.7kWh or a 42kWh battery
- Four trim levels are available: Standard, Icon, Red and La Prima by Bocelli
Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Stylish Design
- Urban-Friendly
- Quiet and Smooth Ride
Cons:
- Interior Space
- Limited Range
- Charging Time Variability
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
The design of the Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback is a blend of retro charm and modern elegance. It stays true to the iconic styling of the classic Fiat 500, incorporating familiar round headlamps, a rounded profile, and a distinctive front grille. However, it's updated with sleeker lines, a cleaner front fascia, and aerodynamic enhancements to suit its electric powertrain. Inside the use of eco-friendly materials and a well-organized layout adds to the overall appeal. The dashboard is clean and uncluttered, featuring a central touchscreen infotainment system and a minimalist yet stylish instrument cluster.
In terms of practicality, the Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback excels as a city car. Its compact dimensions make it exceptionally manoeuvrable, making it easy to navigate through crowded urban streets and fit into tight parking spaces. This compact size also contributes to excellent visibility for the driver, enhancing overall safety. The cabin is designed to optimize space, offering comfortable seating for both the driver and passengers. Despite its small footprint, it provides adequate headroom and legroom for occupants, especially in the front seats. The rear seats can accommodate adults for short journeys, making it a practical choice for small families or city commuters.
The boot space in the Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback is suitable for daily use and city commuting. It offers a 185-litre boot, expanding to 550 litres with rear seats down. While it may not be the largest in its class, it offers enough room to accommodate groceries, small luggage, or everyday items. It's important to note that the primary focus of the Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback is urban mobility and efficiency, and the boot space is designed to align with this purpose.
Interior and Trims
The interior of the Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback is a blend of modern sophistication and functional design. It has a clean and uncluttered layout with an emphasis on user-friendly technology. The use of eco-friendly and sustainable materials aligns with the environmentally conscious nature of an electric vehicle. The interior features quality materials that offer a premium feel. Soft-touch surfaces, high-grade plastics, and optional leather upholstery contribute to a refined interior ambiance.
The Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback is equipped with an advanced infotainment system, typically featuring a touchscreen display. This system supports smartphone integration, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and various other apps. It's designed to keep drivers connected while on the road. The digital instrument cluster provides essential driving information in a clear and easily accessible manner. It typically includes speedometer, battery charge status, driving range, and other key details relevant to electric driving.
Four trim levels are available: Standard, Icon, Red and La Prima by Bocelli.
The standard 500e model features a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, automatic air conditioning, a 7.0-inch digital cluster, and a multifunction steering wheel. It is equipped with 16-inch alloys, LED daytime and rear lights, body-coloured door mirrors, keyless entry and start, as well as emergency braking assistance.
The Icon variant, positioned as a more upscale version of the Action model, includes a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a dashboard matching the body colour, pinstripe fabric seats, and a range of safety features. Additionally, this variant offers 16-inch alloy wheels, electrically operated door handles, tinted windows, and metallic accents.
Named after its distinctive red accents, the (RED) edition of the Fiat 500 boasts 16-inch alloy wheels and red detailing throughout the exterior. The interior mirrors this theme with red accents on the dashboard and seats. It also provides a 10-inch infotainment display supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 500 La Prima by Bocelli is a special collaboration between Fiat and the renowned Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli. A standout feature is the advanced JBL sound system that creates a virtual-reality experience. Drivers can select from four simulated venues, including a music room, a recording studio, an opera house, and an open-air arena. Further customization options are available with the Style Plus, Tech, and Comfort Full packs.
Power and Performance
The Fiat 500e is available with two battery options: a 23.7kWh battery providing a range of 115 miles or a 42kWh battery extending the range to 199 miles. While surpassing the range of a Honda e or Smart EQ, it falls short of the Renault Zoe. Recharging through a standard three-pin socket is a lengthy process, hence opting for the optional 7.4kW wall box is advisable, allowing a full charge in just over six hours.
Investing in the 11kW charging cable is recommended to expedite charging, although it's unfortunate that Fiat charges extra for this accessory. For the quickest charge, using an 85kW public fast charger for the larger battery is optimal, charging from empty to 80% in 35 minutes and adding 30 miles of charge in a mere five minutes.
The Fiat 500 offers two motor options: a 95hp motor enabling 0-62mph acceleration in 9.5 seconds or a more robust 118hp electric motor achieving 0-62mph in nine seconds. Impressively, the new 500 can reach 0-30mph in three seconds, demonstrating its agility, particularly in urban settings, outpacing most small city cars.
In urban areas, the new 500 showcases its safety features, including automatic emergency braking, capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists and engaging the brakes to prevent collisions. Additionally, the adaptive cruise control system contributes to safety on motorways, managing acceleration and braking to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
Overall, the Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback is a fantastic addition to the growing range of electric vehicles. It embodies Italian flair, practicality, and environmental consciousness, making it a compelling choice for drivers in the UK. If you're in search of a stylish, compact electric car for city living, the Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback is certainly worth considering.
Leasing vs Buying
The Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback is now available for purchase at a starting on-the-road price of £25,604.00*, or it can be leased with monthly payments starting from £366.05.
If you're considering leasing a Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback, we proudly offer excellent car leasing services in the UK. Our leasing deals include a manufacturer's warranty, road tax, breakdown insurance, and free delivery to most areas of the UK mainland (excluding specific regions).
Leasing a Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback can often be a more financially advantageous option compared to purchasing outright, thanks to the fixed monthly payments, variable mileage options, low initial rental, and flexible contract durations.
It's important to note that the 'on-the-road' price mentioned includes a year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee, and a number plate fee. Please be aware that this price is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change. To get the most up-to-date information, we recommend contacting your nearest retailer.
