Fiat 600e Review: The Electric City Car with a Retro Twist

The Fiat 600 is back! Well, sort of. The Fiat 600e is a new electric car that pays homage to the original 600 that debuted in 1955 and became a symbol of Italy's post-war economic boom. But don't let the retro styling fool you: The Fiat 600e is a modern and sophisticated vehicle that offers plenty of technology, comfort, and fun for urban drivers. Here's what you need to know about this charming EV.

Design: Outside Iconic, Inside Dolce Vita

The Fiat 600e is not a direct replica of the old 600, but a reinterpretation that blends classic elements with contemporary flair. The exterior features a rounded shape, a smiling grille, circular headlights, chrome accents, and a two-tone paint scheme that evokes the original model. The Fiat logo on the front and rear has been replaced by a stylized "600" badge that also serves as a charging port cover.

The interior is equally nostalgic and modern, with a dashboard that mimics the shape of the front grille, a digital instrument cluster, a touchscreen infotainment system, and a rotary gear selector. The cabin is spacious and airy, thanks to the large windows and the optional panoramic sunroof. The seats are upholstered in eco-leather or fabric with contrasting stitching, and the door panels feature colorful inserts that match the exterior color.

The Fiat 600e is available in three trim levels: Pop, Lounge, and Dolcevita. The Pop is the base model that comes with 15-inch steel wheels, LED daytime running lights, manual air conditioning, cruise control, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and rear parking sensors. The Lounge adds 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, automatic climate control, wireless smartphone charging, keyless entry and start, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Dolcevita is the top-of-the-line model that features 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior details, a panoramic sunroof (or a soft top for the convertible version), leather seats with a heating function (for the front ones), ambient lighting, and adaptive cruise control.

Performance: Agile and Efficient

The Fiat 600e is powered by a single electric motor that produces 87 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. That may not sound like much, but it's enough to propel this lightweight car from 0 to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 93 mph. The motor is paired with a single-speed transmission that delivers smooth and responsive acceleration.

The battery pack has a capacity of 24 kWh, which provides an estimated range of 112 miles on the WLTP cycle (the EPA rating is not yet available). That's not very impressive compared to other EVs on the market, but it should be sufficient for most city commuters who don't drive long distances. The battery can be recharged from 0 to 80 percent in about 40 minutes using a fast charger (up to 50 kW) or in about 4 hours using a wall box (up to 7.4 kW). The Fiat 600e also supports bidirectional charging (up to 2.3 kW), which means it can supply electricity back to the grid or to other devices when needed.

The Fiat 600e is fun to drive around town thanks to its agile handling, nimble steering, and tight turning radius. The suspension is tuned to provide a comfortable and stable ride, while the regenerative braking system helps to recover energy and extend the range. The driver can choose between three driving modes: Normal, Range, and Sherpa. Normal is the default mode that offers a balanced performance. The range activates the regenerative braking and limits the top speed to 62 mph to maximize the range. Sherpa is the most efficient mode that reduces the power output, the air conditioning, and the top speed to 31 mph to reach the nearest charging station.

Verdict: A Smart and Stylish Choice for City Dwellers

The Fiat 600e is a charming and practical electric car that appeals to both nostalgic and modern buyers. It offers a distinctive design, a spacious and well-equipped interior, an energetic and efficient performance, and a reasonable price. The Fiat 600e starts at $24,000 for the Pop trim, $27,000 for the Lounge trim, and $30,000 for the Dolcevita trim (the convertible version costs $2,000 more). The Fiat 600e is currently available in Europe, but there are rumors that it may also come to the US.

If you're looking for a city car that stands out from the crowd and has a low environmental impact, the Fiat 600e might be the perfect choice for you. It's not the most spacious, powerful, or long-range EV on the market, but it has plenty of personality, style, and fun to make up for it. The Fiat 600e is a worthy successor to the iconic 600 that once revolutionized urban mobility. @via Fiat.