Name: New Fiat 600e models and Specifications
Brand: Fiat

12-hybrid-48v-5dr-edct-6

This is the only option available in the electric Fiat 600. A 154bhp electric motor drives the front wheels and the official range is around 250 miles.

115kW

1.2 Hybrid 48V

This top-spec version adds rear privacy glass, 18in alloy wheels, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and keyless entry.

La Prima

This is the entry-level trim for the 600e and is reasonably well-equipped, with cruise control, rear parking sensors, climate control, LED headlights and a heat pump.

Hatchback

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

115kW La Prima 54kWh 5dr Auto

115kw-la-prima-54kwh-5dr-auto

1.2 Hybrid 48V 5dr eDCT-6

1.2 Hybrid 48V La Prima 5dr eDCT-6

12-hybrid-48v-la-prima-5dr-edct-6

115kW Red 54kWh 5dr Auto

115kw-red-54kwh-5dr-auto

Fiat 600e

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The Fiat 600e isn’t quite as cheap as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs/hatchback/review/n20171">MG ZS EV</a>&nbsp;but it’s still sensibly priced. It undercuts the closely related Jeep Avenger and Peugeot e-2008, as well as the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV, so it’s certainly one of the more affordable electric SUVs on sale.&nbsp;

That’s especially true if you go for entry-level RED trim, which is reasonably well equipped. Rear parking sensors, climate control, LED headlights and a heat pump all come as standard.

If you can find the extra cash, we'd advise that you step up to the 600e La Prima, which still undercuts&nbsp;equivalent versions of the Avenger and e-2008. It comes with 18in alloy wheels (instead of 16in steel ones), keyless entry and ignition, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, a hands-free tailgate, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera.

At the time of the writing, the 600e hasn't been tested for safety by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> but it has plenty of aids to stop you from having an accident in the first place, including automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>) with cyclist and pedestrian detection. You’ll need to upgrade to La Prima to get blind-spot monitoring and automatic high-beam assist for the headlights, though.

The 600e has a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/fastest-charging-electric-cars/n26105">maximum charging speed</a> of up to 100kW, for a 10-80% top-up in around 27 minutes. That’s faster than you can charge the Niro EV (80kW) and MG ZS eV (94kW), but fractionally slower than the Hyundai Kona Electric (102kW) and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/hashtag-1/hatchback/review/n25016">Smart #1</a> (150kW). If you’re plugging into a 7kW <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-home-ev-chargers/n25830">home wallbox charger</a>, expect to wait just over eight hours for a full (0-100%) charge.

As usual with a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/fiat">Fiat</a> car, the 600e is covered by a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty. Hyundai offers a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, while Kia offers a seven-year warranty.

<h2 dir="ltr">Costs overview</h2>

Strengths Competitive pricing; plenty of kit

Weaknesses Smart #1 charges faster; Kia Niro Electric has a longer warranty

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Unlike most electric SUVs – which have a choice of battery size, power output&nbsp;and number of driven wheels – the Fiat 600e’s powertrain line-up couldn’t be simpler. All models come with a 50.8kWh (usable capacity) battery and a 154bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels.

That might not sound like a very punchy set-up, and 0-62mph takes 9.0 seconds, but the 600e feels pacy enough in town, picking up speed well when you need to nip into a gap in traffic. There are three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – and with Sport selected, the accelerator pedal response is sharpened&nbsp;up and all the motor's power made available.

The more powerful <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/kona/hatchback/review/n18164">Hyundai Kona Electric</a> and Kia Niro EV feel noticeably quicker, but the 600e has no trouble keeping pace with the flow of traffic on a motorway.

Just don’t expect it to feel sprightly in&nbsp;bends. On twisty roads, the soft suspension results in noticeable body lean and the light steering doesn’t inspire confidence when you're driving spiritedly. Combined with a spongy pedal that needs a good stamp before the brakes bite, there’s little fun to be had trying to gee the 600e along your favourite road.

Perhaps unsurprisingly for a car that shares its styling with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a> city car, the 600e feels most at home in an urban environment, where its effortless steering and relatively tight turning circle make it a doddle to drive.

You can mitigate the sponginess of the brake pedal to a certain extent if you select B mode, which increases the amount of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-regenerative-braking-and-how-does-it-work/n25212">regenerative braking</a> when you lift off the accelerator. However, the braking effect isn’t particularly strong, so you still have to use the middle pedal to come to a complete stop.

Even on larger 18in wheels (entry-level models have 16in steel wheels), the 600e deals with potholes and broken surfaces at lower speeds just as adroitly as a Jeep Avenger and doesn’t buck about on undulating roads like the bouncy <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ds/ds-3/hatchback/review/n20402">DS3 E-Tense</a>.

It doesn’t remain quite as settled at motorway speeds, but it’s hardly uncomfortable. Factor in a quiet motor and the 600e is a comfortable and relaxing companion around town. However, on motorways there’s noticeably more road noise than in its rivals –&nbsp;especially the Peugeot e-2008, which is one of the quietest cars in its class.

<h2 dir="ltr">Driving overview</h2>

Strengths Decent range; easy to drive in town; comfortable ride

Weaknesses&nbsp;Not that fun to drive; noisy on the motorway

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

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12-hybrid-48v

OUR PICK

115kw

Non-identical twins don't always&nbsp;look the same from the outside, but they're a&nbsp;genetic match under the skin. Similarly, while the Fiat 600e appears&nbsp;unique, it's actually one of three electric SUV "triplets".

In other words, the 600e shares its underpinnings, battery pack and electric motor with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/avenger/hatchback/review/n25706">Jeep Avenger&nbsp;Electric</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/2008/estate/review/n20552">Peugeot e-2008</a>.&nbsp;Like those cars, it can officially travel around 250 miles on a full charge, and can be "refuelled"&nbsp;from 10-80% in less than half an hour.

Unlike the Avenger and e-2008, the 600e (and the petrol version, the Fiat 600) has the kind of retro styling that made the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500 Electric</a>&nbsp;such a hit with buyers. In keeping with its SUV status, it&nbsp;gets cladding around its lower edges to give it a vaguely rugged look.

Can&nbsp;all that&nbsp;help the Fiat 600e stand out against the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">best electric SUVs</a> and take on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/atto-3/hatchback/review/n25563">BYD Atto 3</a>, Hyundai Kona Electric, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n24582">Kia Niro EV</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs/hatchback/review/n20171">MG ZS EV</a>? Read on to find out...

Given the Fiat 600e’s retro exterior styling, you might be surprised by the relatively modern and conventional look of its interior.

In fact, inside it shares more than a passing resemblance to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/avenger/hatchback/review/n26657">Jeep Avenger</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/avenger/hatchback/review/n25706">Jeep Avenger&nbsp;Electric</a>. The steering wheel, climate controls and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-car-infotainment-systems-tested-and-rated/n21269">infotainment system</a> have all been pinched from the Avenger and you sit in a similarly commanding driving position.

The row of physical buttons for the climate control system are the same as those in the Avenger, and are far easier to use than the controls buried in the touchscreen in the Peugeot e-2008.

None of that's a bad thing – and the 600e is more appealing and characterful than the rather grey interiors of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/zs/hatchback/review/n20171">MG ZS EV</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/mokka/hatchback/review/n22633">Vauxhall Mokka Electric</a>. Entry-level RED models have a dashboard that's painted – surprise, surprise – red, while in range-topping La Prima cars, the dash is a matt ivory colour. And while most of the plastics on show are hard to the touch, they don’t feel too cheap or nasty.

Visibility is impressive, thanks to the&nbsp;relatively tall windows. Rear parking sensors are standard across the range, and if you go for the range-topping La Prima you’ll also get sensors at the front and sides of the car, plus a rear-view camera.&nbsp;

You’ll find it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel,&nbsp;thanks to lots of seat adjustment. On top-spec La Prima models, seat settings – including lumbar support – are electrically adjustable. You’ll probably find it easy to see the digital instrument panel behind the steering wheel – something that a good percentage of drivers struggle to do in the Peugeot e-2008 because of its eccentric steering wheel set-up.

The 600e's 10.3in infotainment touchscreen is positioned high up in the dashboard so it’s fairly easy to view while driving. It’s easy enough to use, thanks to its quick responses and a couple of shortcut buttons below it, but the menus could have a more logical layout.&nbsp;

You have to pay extra for built-in sat-nav on RED trim, but we wouldn’t bother because <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> come as standard. That means you can sync up your phone and run <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-sat-nav-apps/n24915">navigation apps</a> such as Google Maps and Waze, through the touchscreen.

The 600e in RED trim has a four-speaker sound system, while La Prima has a six-speaker set-up that sounds clear with good sound quality.

<h2 dir="ltr">Interior overview</h2>

Strengths Simple dashboard layout; decent forward visibility; top-spec model gets adjustable lumbar support (unlike in the Jeep Avenger)

Weaknesses Some softer plastics would be good

The Fiat 600e is practical and competitively priced&nbsp;with a decent battery range

The Fiat 600e is quite compact by electric SUV standards. It’s a touch longer than the Jeep Avenger but shorter than a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">VW Golf</a>.

Unsurprisingly, it’s not the most practical <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-cars/n16996">family car</a> in the world. In the back, even an average-sized adult will find their knees touching the seat in front. And while head room is decent, you don’t get reclining rear seats as you do in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/kona/hatchback/review/n18164">Hyundai Kona Electric</a>&nbsp;so you can forget about lounging out on longer journeys.

The 600e has a 360-litre boot, which is almost identical in size to the Jeep Avenger’s (355 litres), so it’s big enough for a weekend away. The broad, square boot opening makes it easy to load in chunkier items.

That said, if you regularly carry a lot of gear, we’d recommend taking a look at the more commodious Kona Electric (466 litres) or the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n24582">Kia Niro EV</a> (475 litres).

The range-topping Fiat 600e La Prima comes with a handy adjustable boot floor. In its highest setting, it reduces the big lip at the boot entrance (making it easier to load heavier items) and gives you plenty of space underneath for the charging cables. That's handy, because there's no front boot.

You can fold down the rear seatbacks in a 60/40 split, which is par for the course in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUV</a> class.

In terms of interior storage space, the 600e comes with plenty of cubbies up front. There’s a huge cubby covered by a magnetic lid at the bottom of the dashboard, with a wireless phone-charger inside. There are also two cupholders, a cubby under the centre armrest and a phone-sized rubberised storage tray under the centre air vents.

<h2 dir="ltr">Practicality overview</h2>

Strengths Decent storage space; height-adjustable boot floor on La Prima trim

Weaknesses Poor rear leg room; Hyundai Kona Electric has a much bigger boot

la-prima

The Fiat 600e isn't the sharpest electric SUV to drive, but it appeals thanks to its comfortable ride, practical interior, competitive pricing and decent range.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.

Electric

This class is all about SUVs that run purely on electricity. No petrol, no diesel and not even any hybrid technology.

Relatively low-cost options include the MG ZS EV, but you can easily spend three times as much on more luxurious alternatives, such as the BMW iX.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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