Fiat 600e Review 2024
Fiat 600e At A Glance
Relatively affordable to buy. Very useable 254-mile range. Top-spec La Prime is particularly well-equipped.
Not as characterful as the little Fiat 500e. Surprising amount of road noise. We prefer the Jeep Avenger.
Like the look of the stylish Fiat 500e but need a little more space? The Fiat 600e is the car for you. It's a small electric SUV that's based on the same platform as the Jeep Avenger and Peugeot e-2008, while rivals include the Smart #1, Hyundai Kona Electric and MG ZS EV.
While we'd dispute that the Fiat 600e is big enough to be a true family car (the Kia Niro EV or Skoda Enyaq iV would be a better bet if that's what you're after), the market for stylish small SUVs is strong and the 600e will be easier to live with than its city car relation.
Talking of 'easy to live with', the Fiat 600e comes with a 54kWh battery which means it can travel 254 miles between charges. Rapid charging abilities mean you can quickly top it up on a long journey, too, although most buyers will plug it in overnight for fuss-free charging.
It's hassle-free to drive, while the comfortable ride quality will be very welcome on UK roads. There's just one 'engine' option - a single 156PS electric motor that provides steady if unremarkable performance.
The Fiat 600e line-up is refreshingly simple: there are just two trim levels and no optional extras to choose from. The entry-level Fiat 600e Red covers the basics with a 10.25-inch infotainment system, rear parking sensors and climate control, while the top-spec La Prima adds such niceties as heated massage seats, diamond-cut alloys and a wireless phone charger.
Scoring highly on the value for money front, the Fiat 600e is priced from around £33,000, while the range tops out at £37,000. That puts it at the budget end of the electric SUV market, undercutting the Vauxhall Mokka Electric and new Hyundai Kona Electric. The MG ZS EV is cheaper, although it lacks the style of the Fiat 600e.
The true challenge for electric car buyers at the moment is deciding which - if any - of the numerous Stellantis models suits them the best. We suspect many buyers will prefer the chunky looks of the Jeep Avenger, although the Fiat 600e makes a good case for itself in terms of equipment levels and value for money.
Reviews for Fiat 600e's top 3 rivals
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Fiat 600e handling and engines
Fiat 600e 2024: Handling and ride quality
The Fiat 600e is pretty unremarkable to drive, which is perhaps to be expected for a small electric SUV. The good news is that it rides well, its suspension making light work of the broken Italian roads we tested it on.
The bad news is that refinement takes a knock - you can hear the suspension working away, while there's a surprising amount of road noise that makes its way into the cabin. It's not quite the refined EV driving experience we're used to.
Selecting 'B' mode increases the regenerative braking, which means the Fiat 600e uses the electric motor to slow down slightly when you lift off the accelerator. Like all of the Stellantis electric cars, this is less dramatic than in some rivals - you'll need to look elsewhere if you want one-pedal driving around town.
Out of town, the Fiat 600e steers, accelerates and stops in a perfectly acceptable manner. It's not engaging but it feels safe, while there's more than enough grip to keep all four wheels on the tarmac unless you do something really silly.
We'd like the steering to have a little more weight (even selecting sport mode doesn't make it particularly heavy), but it's well set up for quick direction changes at city speeds.
Fiat 600e 2024: Engines
While some manufacturers offer their electric cars with a wide variety of battery and motor combinations, the Fiat 600e line-up is refreshingly simple. It's available exclusively with a single 156PS electric motor which drives the front wheels.
If you care about such things, 0-62mph acceleration takes around 9.0 seconds, which is slower than the new Hyundai Kona Electric.
It certainly lacks the shove-you-into-your-seat excitement offered by some electric vehicles, but the Fiat 600e builds speed with little drama. It's no slower than a typical petrol small SUV. As there isn't a conventional gearbox, either, it's much easier to drive than one of those old-fashioned petrol cars with a manual gearbox.
Fiat 600e 2024: Safety
You get the usual mix of driver-assist systems in the Fiat 600e - although they actually feel less interfering than in a Hyundai Kona Electric or Kia Niro EV, which is quite welcome. Standard equipment includes an autonomous emergency braking system (which can apply the brakes if it detects a potential collision), as well as lane keeping assist and a driver attention assist.
The Fiat 600e is yet to be crash-tested by Euro NCAP.
Fiat 600e interior
Fiat 600e 2024: Practicality
Measuring 4171mm long, 1781mm wide (excluding door mirrors) and 1523mm tall, the Fiat 600e is on the small end of the compact electric SUV spectrum. It's ever-so-slightly smaller than the Smart #1, Hyundai Kona Electric and Peugeot e-2008, although its dimensions are chunkier than the new Jeep Avenger.
As such, it's not exactly a practical family car inside. Its 360-litre boot is only slightly bigger than a Volkswagen Polo's, although its relatively square shape and wide opening make access easy. Need more space? The rear seats split 60:40 and drop to provide up to 1231 litres of luggage space (provided you leave the kids at home).
Fiat claims 15 litres of luggage space for odds and ends in the front. There's certainly enough stowage to stash unwanted clutter - we particularly like the huge central cubby box, with an iPad-like fold-up cover hiding things from view (something we'd like to see in the new Hyundai Kona).
Fiat 600e 2024: Quality and finish
The Fiat 600e's cabin is clearly very similar to the Jeep Avenger's, although some of its hard plastics look a little more out of place in a car intended to be stylish (rather than rugged). There are some welcome touches, though, particularly in the top-spec Fiat 600e La Prima.
This comes with ivory synthetic leather seats with some lovely turquoise detailing, while we also like the cream-coloured dashboard. It doesn't feel quite as special as the smaller Fiat 500e inside, but it's certainly not without character.
Fiat 600e 2024: Infotainment
Just like the Jeep Avenger, the Fiat 600e comes with a 10.25-inch infotainment display perched on the dashboard. It's a perfectly decent system to use - with fast responses and intuitive menu layouts, although its reliance on touch operation makes it a little fiddly to use on the move.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the Fiat 600e range, although you'll need the top-spec La Prima for built-in navigation. Don't part with your cash for this alone, though, as we generally prefer using Google Maps to Fiat's own navigation system. The La Prima also comes with an extra pair of speakers (six rather than four), which might seal the deal for some buyers.
Fiat 600e value for money
Fiat 600e 2024: Prices
Prices for the new Fiat 600e Red start from £32,995, while the top-spec La Prima model is £36,995. That looks like good value alongside the Jeep Avenger and Vauxhall Mokka Electric.
You get a decent amount of kit for your cash, too. The entry-level car comes with a 10.25-inch media system, rear parking sensors and a lengthy list of driver-assist features - although, notably, no alloy wheels.
We’d go for the Fiat 600e La Prima if it’s within reach - this adds some desirable features, including heated front seats, integrated navigation and 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.
Of course, if you’re looking for a cheap electric car, you might wish to look at the MG ZS EV or other Chinese alternatives - such as the BYD Atto 3 or Ora Funky Cat. But the Fiat 600e represents impressive value for money for a very useable electric vehicle.
Fiat 600e 2024: Running Costs
Sharing its 54kWh battery pack with the Jeep Avenger and Peugeot e-2008, it's not surprising that the Fiat 600e pretty much matches its peers for range.
It can officially travel up to 254 miles between charges - we haven't spent enough time with it to work out how accurate that is, but we'd expect comfortably more than 200 miles in the real world (especially if you cover a lot of city miles).
If you want an EV with a long range, you might be better looking at a Tesla Model 3 or Volkswagen ID.3. The longest-range versions of each will cost a fair bit more than the Fiat 600e to buy, however, and we think the 600e's range will actually be more than enough for a lot of buyers.
Charging the Fiat 600e is pretty efficient, too. It'll take around seven or eight hours to fully charge at home (using a 7kW home charger), while a 100kW public rapid charger can top it up from 20% to 80% in less than half an hour.
At the moment, you won't pay any tax on a Fiat 600e (that's set to change from 2025). With few moving parts to go wrong, the Fiat 600e ought to be a fairly reliable choice, too - while the battery is covered by a warranty for up to eight years/100,000 miles (whichever comes sooner).
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Standard equipment on the Fiat 600e Red includes 16-inch steel wheels (with bi-colour covers), glossy black door mirrors, a red painted dashboard fascia, two-spoke synthetic leather steering wheel, automatic climate control, automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, keyless start, a front central armrest, black recycled fabric seats with red details, LED headlights and cornering lights with cornering function, electric door mirrors, all-round electric windows, 60:40 split rear seats, six-way adjustable driver and passenger seats, Isofix child seat mounts (for the front passenger and rear seats), an electronic parking brake, cruise control, six airbags, drowsy driver detection, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, seven-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.25-inch infotainment screen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a four-speaker sound system.
The Fiat 600e La Prima adds 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, an ivory dashboard, matt black side skirts, all-round parking sensors with a 180-degree reversing camera, ivory synthetic leather seats with turquoise details (heated in the front), electrically foldable door mirrors, keyless entry and start, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, puddle lights, automatic high/low beam, six-way adjustable driver seats with lumbar adjustment and massage function, and adjustable boot floor, hands-free power tailgate, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, integrated navigation, six-speaker sound system and wireless phone charger.
Model History
September 2023
Fiat 600e priced from £32,995
FIAT continues to lead the way for sustainable urban mobility and presents the all-new Fiat 600e, a significant new addition to the Brand’s range that marks its return to the B-segment. And it does so by taking everything drivers and passengers love about the B-segment and upgrading it in every aspect: increased space, increased range, increased Dolce Vita feel.
The new Fiat 600e represents the ideal solution for both city lovers and outdoor enthusiasts and is the perfect embodiment of the brand's values of Italian style and sustainability. It’s cool and beautiful, it has a generous size of 4.17 meters length with comfortable space for five occupants, best in class front storage, and boasts an electric range of more than 250 miles (WLTP combined cycle) and up to 375 miles in the city (WLTP urban cycle) with state-of-the-art safety features.
Order books in the UK will open in October, with the first customer deliveries expected in Q1 2024.
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Version |
Price (OTR) |
|
FIAT (600e)RED |
£32,995 |
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FIAT 600e La Prima |
£36,995 |
Available as a five-door, the new Fiat 600e offers an impressive space with its five seats and 15 liters of interior storage. Customers can store their personal items in the smart central tunnel – which comes with a customised cover pad and flexible cupholders, seat pockets and front storage spaces. The boot also has a generous size of 360 litres of load capacity.
In addition to space versatility, the model features great electric capability. The lithium-ion batteries with a capacity of 54 kWh (51 kWh useable) give the new 600e a range of more than 250 miles in the WLTP combined cycle and up to 375 miles in the urban cycle, making the new Fiat 600e the ideal vehicle for both city daily use and weekend getaways. A heat pump is standard. The battery warranty is 8 years / 100,000 miles. The battery is assembled at the Stellantis plant in Tycky, Poland, alongside the vehicle, and the battery cells have been designed to be able to be easily reconfigured in the future for Second Life energy storage applications.
To optimise charging time, the new 600e is equipped with a 100kW fast charger system to charge the battery rapidly. For example, it takes less than half an hour to charge the battery from 20% to 80%, about the same time needed to pack your car for a weekend away. The model also comes with an 11kW onboard charger and a Mode 3 cable for charging at home or in public, which ensures a full charge in less than 6 hours.
The electric powertrain has an output of 115 kW, and 260Nm torque, delivering acceleration from 0-62 mph in 9.0 seconds. The new Fiat 600e gives drivers the option of three driving modes – eco, normal, sport – which can be selected to match your individual styles.
The new Fiat 600e, also referred to as the all-electric Fiat 500's bigger sister, takes its name from the original 600 and brings all the Italian coolness and fresh style. Its exterior and interior design perfectly embodies the Italian beauty and Dolce Vita philosophy.
Outside, the DNA of the Fiat 500 is instantly recognisable. Compared to the all-electric 500, the new 600e’s augmented look features a sharper and more assertive face with a more dominant hood and a sharper nose. The deeper curve on the back has been kept, even if the engine is no longer present as it was back in the 50s.
The spoiler is black to better bring out the round shapes of the 500 family and express just how dynamic it is. A 600e-chrome refreshed signature can be seen both on the front and on the sides, together with a renewed LED lighting identity.
The elegant yet dynamic exterior look is enhanced by the bigger wheels (up to 18” and a diameter of 690mm), black matt skirts and wheel arches, while the typical Italian style is also to be seen in the Italian flag in the rear bumper. Several charming features highlight its exterior lines, such as the glossy black details, chrome accents and shining cues on the rear lights.
Inside, the new Fiat 600e is reminiscent of the iconic 500. The fascia and cluster, for example, are pure Cinquecento. They have rounded shapes the body colours that are signatures of the 500. The original two-spoke design of the steering wheel and the belt line on the seats have become a signature people expect from 500.
What’s new, besides an overall “electric feel”, are the several features specifically designed to offer the best pampering experience, that perfectly embodies the Italian Dolce Vita. The driver seat is equipped with power seat adjustment and a back-massage function to relax after a long trip or a busy day at work.
The new Fiat 600e also offers Ivory synthetic leather seats with ‘FIAT’ monogram with turquoise accents and three-stage heating for the maximum comfort. Velour floor mats, 40/60 rear seats, USB type A and type C, plus type C on the second row, a wireless charger for smartphone and keyless entry with proximity sensor complete the equipment for a comfy and pleasant driving experience.
To design the new Fiat 600e, engineers started from the Stellantis multi-energy CMP platform, which is perfect both for full electric and hybrid powertrains. It is the latest generation, and the most efficient so far. Starting from here, Fiat engineers applied the three “Fiat Engineering pillars”: maximise space in a compact space, make the new 600e a cool city mover, and combine iconicity with efficiency.
Fiat engineers focused on maximising legroom and roominess in the back, plus extra boot space and storage. By moving the H points, they gained an extra 30 millimetres of legroom and 22 millimetres of roominess for the people sitting in the back, thus making the new 600e a perfect vehicle for families and long trips. Getting inside has also been made easier by making the door ring 37 millimetres wider.
Another 600 millimetres have been added to the rear to maximise boot space, while the deeper curve in the rear stretches the boot space inside, resulting in best-in-class boot capacity to allow people to carry everything they love. Furthermore, the new Fiat 600e offers extra-large storage in the front.
Other than maximising the interior space, engineers also worked on the Fiat 600e’s agility, starting with its compact size and the wheelbase: 4.17 metres in length and a 2.56-metre wheelbase, which helps customers get out of many tight spaces. The turning circle is just 10.5 metres, which is among the best in this class. The kerb weight of 600e is 1520kg.
Two driving modes help the driver with urban manoeuvres: “normal mode”, which makes things light, and the “eco mode”, which is also light on consumption, while the “sport mode” offers the best enjoyment from steering, acceleration, and power when driving out of town.
Moreover, the new Fiat 600e has specific suspension tuning to make rough roads feel smoother, providing a comfortable ride on every kind of terrain, plus optimised body motion control to get the most enjoyment from being out on the road.
Finally, Fiat engineers have worked on efficiency and sustainability, designing an all-new motor that is 50% quieter than the previous generation. From the starting point of the 600e project, the range autonomy was improved by 25%, mainly thanks to the motor and battery evolution.
But part of the extra range is also due to extensive work on aerodynamics and weight. Inspired by the famous 500 shape which was already aerodynamic, the team of Fiat engineers has optimised every single edge to improve efficiency and reduced the 600e weight by 10% than the previous Fiat B segment generation.
The new Fiat 600e is also packed with state-of-the-art safety and assistance features that make it ready for everyday life. It offers Level 2 assisted driving, bringing all the associated benefits to your journey.
The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system brakes or accelerates in response to any car; the Intelligent Speed Assist reads the speed limits and recommends applying them, while the Blind Spot Detection uses ultrasonic sensors to monitor the blind spots and warn of any obstacles with warning lights on the wing mirror.
Technology also includes a Stop & Go function; Electric Parking Brake, Autonomous Emergency Braking for recognising cyclists and pedestrians, and drowsy driver detection to monitor driver concentration levels. Finally, the 360° sensors and the rear-view camera 180° view with dynamic gridlines help to avoid any obstacles when parking or performing complex manoeuvres.
In terms of comfort and connectivity, the new Fiat 600e is packed with several features that will make every trip more pleasant and joyful. It is equipped with a hands-free power liftgate - a must for all those parents who always have a thousand and one things in hand, plus all powered windows, auto air conditioning, dusk and rain sensors. A six-speaker sound system, 10.25” fully customisable radio with Navigation, CarPlay and Android Auto wireless, a 7” digital cluster and connected services complete the offer.
The new Fiat 600e offers the Uconnect services to support customers on a daily basis, like the voice commands to communicate with the on-board connected navigation, the TomTom navigation system, which maps update automatically, that displays all the charging stations available on the route and provides real-time information on available free parking spaces on public roads, to save time and money when travelling.
With the Fiat smartphone app, enjoying greater comfort has never been so easy as many commands are available to operate certain vehicle functions remotely: use of lights, horn, central opening/closing of doors, heating or air conditioning.
Perfectly suitable for those young customers looking for an ethical and eco-friendly mobility solution, the new Fiat (600e)RED represents the most accessible version of the new Fiat 600e and is a further step of a partnership with (RED) launched in 2021 from the belief that each of us can lead the change.
Following in the footsteps of the all-electric (500)RED, the mission is to be “good for the people and good for the planet”: it’s in fact electric, to respect the environment and contribute to a more sustainable future. That mission is now going even further with (RED), the organisation founded in 2006 to fight AIDS and ensure preventable and treatable disease is preventable and treatable for everyone.
The new Fiat (600e)RED takes on the colour red as a hallmark, both outside from the bodywork to the front and rear logos and in dashboard fascia and design cues on the exclusive recycled fabric seats. The (RED) pad cover of the smart central tunnel serves as a further reminder of the partnership. Two more exterior colours are available to further customise it: black and white.
The new Fiat 600e La Prima offers 100% style, tech, and comfort to ensure an immersive Italian Dolce Vita experience. It is available in four different colours that recall Italian beauty and natural landscapes: Sun of Italy, Sea of Italy, Earth of Italy, Sky of Italy.
