Used Fiat 500 Electric 2021-present review

The Fiat 500 Electric is one of the latest variations on the iconic 500 city car, joining a list of seemingly thousands, from an SUV spin-off in the Fiat 500X to even an MPV version in the Fiat 500L. There's even a convertible version (also known as the 500e C) of this very electric car.

What about the regular Fiat 500 you've known since 2007? Well, that's now called the Fiat 500 Hybrid.

Performance & Range: The smaller battery, a 24kWh unit, comes with a 94bhp electric motor with an official range of just 115 miles. If that doesn't sound like much, don't fret: we suspect the vast majority of buyers will want the larger 42kWh battery, because it gets 118bhp and, more importantly, an official range of 199 miles.

As a side note, the 500e C is only available with the 42kWh battery. Its official range does take a small hit, mind you, dropping to 185 miles.

The 500 Electric, with its 0-60mph time of 8.0sec, won't be scaring any Teslas, but it certainly feels nippy enough, especially around town but also on the motorway. For an extra dose of performance, we'd steer you towards the Abarth 500e.

Ride & Handling: The 500 Electric is good fun to drive. With its tight turning circle and super-light steering, it's great for whizzing along narrow streets or darting away from traffic lights. Body control is good, even through tight turns, and there's plenty of grip to depend on.

On the other hand, at higher speeds, there are rivals that are more composed and confidence inspiring. The ride can prove a bit choppy over patchy surfaces, too, although it's by no means uncomfortable.

Interior & Practicality: Inside, you sit high up and rather upright, so you get a good view of the road ahead and to the sides. Interior quality is mixed, with some good materials and switchgear present, as well as decent build quality, but one glance and the doors and centre console will reveal lots of scratchy plastics.

The 500 Electric isn’t a big car – even if this electric version is slightly larger than the 500 Hybrid – and there are still no rear doors. Rear-seat space is only generous if you're very small, with taller adults barely able to fit (if fit at all).

If you view it as an occasional four-seater, though, the 500 Electric is perfectly fit for purpose – both in hardtop and convertible forms. If you go for the hardtop, you'll get a bigger boot, although it's still only big enough for three carry-on suitcases.

Trims & Equipment: Entry-level Action trim gets manual air-conditioning, which becomes climate control if you go for the next trim up: Red. The trim another step up, Icon, makes the most sense, though, because it gets rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

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The cheapest Fiat 500 Electrics start at around £12,000 (at the time of writing), this for a 2021 model with a low mileage and in good condition from a main dealer. Spend upwards of £13,000 on a good 2022 or 2023 car. Nearly new examples go for around £18,000.

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Charging: With the smaller 24kWh battery (standard with Action trim), your 500 will be able to accept a maximum charging rate of 50kW, meaning a 0-80% charge can take as little as 30 minutes. This matches the Mini Electric and is only fractionally slower than the Honda e.

A full charge (0-100%) takes four hours from a standard 7kW home charging point. The 42kWh battery (available with Red trim and above) allows you to charge at speeds of up to 85kW. This means a 0-80% charge of the much larger battery takes barely any longer than it does in the 24kWh version. A full charge at home will take considerably longer – around 6hr 45min.

Insurance and servicing: Insurance costs should be low (although slightly higher than for conventionally powered 500s) and servicing costs are reasonable too.

Reliability

Owners we've spoken to have generally been satisfied with their Fiat 500 Electrics, even if some experienced software glitches.

Discover more about used Fiat 500 Electric reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

There are two battery options with the 500 Electric and we strongly suggest going for the larger 42kWh battery: that way you'll have a decent range between charges.

Trim-wise, we'd seek out one in Icon trim, because it builds on Red’s handsome spec yet costs a similar amount to buy.

Our favourite Fiat 500 Electric: 500 42kWh Icon

The electric 500's main rival is probably the Honda e. It's small, agile and desirable, and is an intriguing used buy with a disappointingly short range of just 136 miles. No one viewing this diminutive beauty, the Japanese firm's first mass-produced battery-electric vehicle, could fail to be impressed by it. Its looks are close to adorable, for one, and this fiercely futuristic car comes with flush door handles, cameras instead of door mirrors and two enormous touchscreens on the inside.

The Peugeot e-208 is bang on-trend with funky looks and an upmarket interior. Good value, too. It's Peugeot's first all-electric mass-production car and it's based, not surprisingly, on the regular 208 small family hatchback. It's a fully electric car with a 134bhp electric motor, and the battery pack housed neatly under the floor. It also has an impressive official range of up to 217 miles on a full charge. That's further than the Fiat 500 or Honda e can manage.

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Interested in buying a used Fiat 500 Electric? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.