It’s been an age since I slipped on a little Fiat 500 for size. It fits like a ballet shoe that makes you giggle, and has always held a secret special place in my heart. When I was 18, my housemate had an original Bambino, and oh, how we taunted him relentlessly. Paul is probably still traumatised to this day.
Secretly we all wanted a go, and it wasn’t nearly as silly as the Citroën 2CV owned by another mate. It was constantly in need of big hugs and much money, and fainted at the thought of a Brisbane summer. The Fiat 500 was better then, and it is better now.
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ABOVE: 2023 Fiat 500e (Abarth shown)
The Fiat 500e is simply wonderful.
The trend a few years ago was to make old things new.
Carmakers constructed pale pastiches, trying to tug at the heartstrings of beleaguered buyers. VW exhumed the abominable Beetle, then dragged the moldering cadaver around like an unwanted fart. Chrysler portrayed the pulchritude of the PT Cruiser like that of the Mona Lisa, but all buyers saw was an overweight uncle that tended to vomit up vulgarities at Christmas gatherings.
Mini brought back the 60’s favourite, and although it has been marginally successful, one can’t help but wonder if the company actually makes any money.
The Fiat’s reived 60’s body shape always needed a decent drivetrain, and although the 500 comes as an Abarth, the 500e does everything the Abarth does, better. You see, I’m not a track person. Tracks are something for people with no imagination. How is going around in an endless circle like a rat on a wheel interesting? It isn’t, so Abarth is cute, but 500e is better.
The 500e is Fiat’s attempt at transitioning from a world of shiny, dinosaur-burning chunks of pig-iron, to a smooth, emissions-free utopia. Is it a success? You-fecken-betcha.
Fiat 500e is an EV city car. It is priced like that of a Chinese pretender, yet is has the Italian design flair of a mid-century master. It is comfortable and smooth, and has u-Connect for wireless CarPlay, and marvels of electronic wizardry.
The full review will come soon, but for now:
The last week, we’ve driven the little Fiat around in Brisbane. Think of Brisbane as a giant sauna, full of ferns and bogans. Queenslanders drive like no one else is on the road, and they think roundabouts as some kind of ancient Europoean battle ground.
Therough it all, 500e was fab in town, brilliant to park, and cheekily pert then it came to traffic lights.
Here’s the rub
Whether we want to or not, we all compare any new EV to a Tesla. Tesla has somehow become the yardstick against which every electric car is judged. If that is the case, how does the Lilliputian Fiat 500e stack up? Very well indeed
Is Fiat 500e better than a Tesla?
Outside, there is no competition, Fiat 500e wins hands down. The cabin is equally fabulous.
Am I biased? Perhaps, but the Tesla looks dull and soulless against the titillating Fiat. For around 20k less, the Fiat in the garage is far more interesting than the bland Tesla. Yes, it does the job but Tesla seems to do so with an air of resentment.
The Fiat 500e on the other hand, is full of joy, and although the driving range is less than half of the dual motor Tesla, the cabin space is more generous.
There is a proper driver display, and a large infotainment display. One pedal driving is an option if the driver wants, and it is done with the charm, style and class of a 50’s film star. Yes, Fiat 500e oozes Italian flair.
Why is Fiat 500e EV is FABULOUS?
Fiat 500e isn’t trying to be something it isn’t. the cabin feels huge, and the headroom would accommodate a Marie Antionette-esque hairdo.
The wee 42kWh battery takes a jiff to charge, but the claimed 311km range is an exaggeration. At 100%, our dial showed 275km that quickly headed south under a savage Queensland summer sun. The fixed glass roof has a camp little lacey interior shade resambling madame’s parasol. Everything about Fiat 500e is camp.
There are body-coloured interior splashes here and there, and the rear seat is usable.
Fiat 500eis really meant for one, and since more cars have only one person in them and most people do 50km a day or less, Fiat 500e is a stylish option if a Mini EV doesn’t float your boat. Fiat 500e does retro the way retro should be done.
Stay tuned for more.
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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