The 2019 Fiat 500e is a capable urban runabout that uses only electricity. It’s more fun to drive than its gas-powered siblings that lack power.
That performance is relative, however. Among all new cars, the 500e is just average. It gets a 5 for performance. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
A 111-horsepower electric motor and single-speed transmission power the 500e. A 24-kwh battery powers the motor for up to 84 miles, according to the EPA, which is shorter than many of the Fiat’s competitors.
For electric-vehicle newcomers, the Fiat 500e feels brighter and quicker compared to its gas-powered counterparts because of the way electric motors deliver torque: It’s virtually instant, compared to gas engines that need to build revs for their power.
The 500e is roughly 500 pounds heavier than a typical 500, with most of that weight low in the floor because of its batteries. As a result, the 500e feels more planted on the road.
