Review: 2024 Fiat 500e Abarth electric hot hatch

What is it:

Electric power has come to the Fiat 500 – and the iconic Abarth name has been applied to hot-hatch version. Is the performance worthy of the badge?

As the automotive world hedges its bets on electric versus petrol power, Fiat still offers the old petrol version of the tiny city hatch alongside the new all-electric model.

The line-up in Australia now includes regular and performance versions of the petrol-powered Fiat 500, as well as regular and performance versions of the electric Fiat 500e.

What we have here is the Fiat 500e Abarth, a badge with a pedigree in European performance.

Price:

The Fiat 500e Abarth Scorpionissima version tested is listed at $60,500 plus on-road costs, which equates to $65,900 drive-away on the Fiat Australia website.

For now, only two colours are available: this amazing sky blue (‘Poison Blue’), or a bright green (‘Acid Green’).

On a dollar-per-metre basis, it’s expensive.

But the Fiat 500e fits tight parking spaces other electric cars can’t squeeze into.

To some buyers, that could be a priceless advantage.

Plus, as we discovered, there are other reasons to look beyond the price tag.

Engine:

Under the bonnet is a 113kW/235Nm electric motor powering the front wheels.

It is paired with a small 42kWh battery pack that delivers a claimed 253km driving range.

However, our real-world testing showed driving range is limited to 200 to 220km in ideal conditions, so this electric car is best suited to short hops.

Our energy consumption ranged from 16.7kWh/100km to 19kWh/100km on a 150km test loop.

Other media outlets have dipped below this figure.

The energy consumption claim by Fiat is 18.1kWh/100km, which we reckon is a fair guide.

Transmission:

As with most electric cars, the electric motor has just one ratio.

That is why they generally launch like a slingshot and then have an asthma attack after reaching freeway speeds.

Fiat has equipped the 500e Abarth with an external artificial sound creator, which mimics a hot-hatch exhaust note.

It’s a great idea but sounds flat and doesn’t alter its tune to match changes in speed or acceleration. We turned it off.

The entire automotive world should use the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N electric hot-hatch as the benchmark for epic (artificial) sounds inside and out.

0 to 100kmh (as tested):

In normal mode, the Fiat 500e Abarth did the 0 to 100kmh dash in a leisurely 8.1 seconds.

That’s about the same as a family SUV – and slower than popular electric cars such as the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y rear-wheel-drive base models.

In Scorpion mode (both in street and track), it trimmed the 0 to 100kmh time to 7.6 seconds.

That’s slower than a Suzuki Swift Sport (7.2 seconds), and other turbo petrol hot-hatches such as the Ford Fiesta ST and VW Polo GTI (which are somewhere in the 6-second bracket).

So, the Fiat 500e Abarth is not as fast as the company’s claim (7.0 seconds) and not as fast as its petrol-powered, city-sized, hot-hatch rivals.

But it’s still fun. (See ‘Good Points’).

Emergency braking from 100kmh (as tested):

Weighing 1335kg (which is light for an electric car, and average for a petrol hatchback) we were expected good braking performance.

The Fiat 500e Abarth – wearing low-profile Bridgestone Potenza Sport 205/40/18 tyres – pulled up in 37.3 metres.

That’s a good result and on par with other hot hatches we’ve tested.

Good points:

The Fiat 500e Abarth puts a smile on your face because it is fun to drive.

Although its performance is modest for a car wearing an Abarth badge, it feels faster than it really is because it is so small, light and nimble.

The cabin is cosy (it’s a four seater, though the back seat is better suited to kids or shopping bags) and the driving position is comfortable.

The suede and leather sports steering wheel is great to grip, and the sports seats keep you snug.

Super-tight turning circle makes parking and weaving into tricky parking spots a cinch.

The haters will say this car is over-priced. But there is a buyer for this car.

Someone who loves the look, loves how it drives, appreciates its diminutive size, and doesn’t need a massive amount of electric driving range.

The suspension is surprisingly comfortable despite the sports tuning and the low-profile tyres.

Overall, I really liked this car – even though it’s not as perky as I was hoping.

Bad points:

The sun visors are so small they are ineffective at blocking side glare.

The perforated sunroof blind lets too much light in, some buyers may prefer an unperforated blind.

The buttons to activate park (P), drive (D), reverse (R) and neutral (N) etc, need to be pressed twice sometimes, to make sure you’ve engaged them.

More driving range would be nice.

More performance would be nice.

What the haters say:

It’s too expensive, has limited driving range, and isn’t as fast as it looks.

What the haters don’t understand:

At this price, the Fiat 500e Abarth is not going to win an argument on a financial level.

Think of it as a luxury item to treat yourself.

The driving range of 200km will likely be enough for people who want a stylish and fun city hatchback to do short trips.

It’s not as fast as the slowest Tesla but that’s ok. It will still make you smile. At 60kmh it feels like you’re doing warp speed.

Should you buy one?

If money is no object, go for it.

There are plenty of other electric cars that are cheaper, more practical and have longer driving range – but they don’t make you smile like the Fiat 500e Abarth does.

Also consider

This is a random list: Suzuki Swift Sport (if you want petrol power on a budget), Tesla Model Y (if you want to join the electric mainstream), or Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (if you want the best electric hot-hatch on sale today).