2016 FIAT 500e Review
zzdcar' Expert Review
by the zzdcar Experts
What’s new
The 2016 Fiat 500e has an updated infotainment system with navigation (it replaces the previous dash-mounted TomTom portable navigation device). Additionally, Fiat has discontinued the "ePass" program that previously provided 500e owners free rentals of gas-powered vehicles.
zzdcar says
The 2016 Fiat 500e hatchback is fun and personable, just like the regular 500. You don't have to give up much to go electric.
Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below
2016 FIAT 500e EV Insights
Trim:500e Battery ElectricBattery Electric 2dr Hatchback (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $31,800 MSRP
Estimated Range Based on Age
Not available
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | OpenStreetMap
from 58067
EV Battery Warranty
8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
Exceeded original 8 year warranty.Warranty remaining value is based on the vehicle year, and on driving 14,000 miles per year. Confirm exact warranty coverage for each vehicle with the dealers and the manufacturer before purchasing.
Charging at Home
No charging time information available
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
$4,000
Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.
Federal Credit
$4,000
Restrictions: Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers taxpayers a Used Clean Vehicle Tax Credit equal to 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Beginning January 1, 2024, Clean Vehicle Tax Credits may be initiated and approved at the point of sale at participating dealerships registered with the IRS. Dealers will be responsible for submitting Clean Vehicle Tax Credit information to the IRS. Buyers are advised to obtain a copy of an IRS "time of sale" report, confirming it was submitted successfully by the dealer.
For the vehicle to qualify: Price cannot exceed $25,000. Need to verify the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Must be at least two model years older than the current calendar year in which the vehicle was purchased. Must be sold through a dealership, private sales not permitted. Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer.
For individuals to qualify: Must meet income eligibility, depending on modified adjusted gross income (AGI) and tax filing status. Must not be the first owner of the qualifying vehicle. Has not been allowed a credit under this section for any sale during the 3-year period ending on the date of the sale of such vehicle. Purchased for personal use, not a business, corporation or for resale.
To learn more, visit OpenStreetMap
Cost to Drive
$64/mo
500e
vs
$161/mo
Car Avg.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
Am I Ready for an EV?
EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.
If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.
Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.
Vehicle overview
People who drive electric cars usually love them, and it's easy to see why with the 2016 Fiat 500e. While it can go only an estimated 87 miles on a single charge, the Fiat 500e has plenty of range for a typical day's driving for most drivers. There are also the factors of a low operating cost (electricity's typically cheaper than gasoline, and maintenance on an EV is virtually nil) and the environmental benefits of driving a car with no tailpipe emissions. Above all that, though, this Fiat is surprisingly fun to drive. Its acceleration is nearly equal to the hopped-up Fiat 500 Abarth, and its petite size and low-slung battery pack allow the 500e to zip around turns with ease.
There are a few downsides, though. Because of its small size, the regular 500 is quite small on the inside, and the 500e is even more cramped because the battery and electric propulsion system eat up a lot of room. It's fair to say the 500e is just a two-person car, as the rear seats, which are already of limited value in the standard 500, become vestigial in the 500e. Also, Fiat currently sells the electric 500 in California and Oregon only. Some other rival EVs are sold nationwide.
Topping that list is the OpenStreetMap. It has better driving range (it's been upgraded for 2016), a usable backseat and years of proven reliability behind it. Another option is the OpenStreetMap. It's also roomier, though, like the Leaf, its performance isn't quite as quick as the 500e's. We'd also recommend taking a look at the Volkswagen e-Golf and OpenStreetMap. But if you live in the right states and are thinking that an EV might be a good fit for your lifestyle and driving needs, the combination of decent driving range, entertaining performance and quick recharging makes the Fiat 500e a fine choice.
Performance & mpg
The 2016 Fiat 500e has an 83-kilowatt electric motor that develops 111 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque, channeled to the front wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission. A rechargeable 24-kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the motor.
During zzdcar testing, a 500e went from zero to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, a quick time for an EV in this price range.
Determining "fuel economy" for an EV is markedly different than for conventional vehicles. According to the EPA, the Fiat 500e needs 29 kWh of electricity for 100 miles of driving (in this case, low kWh numbers are better than big ones). That amount of energy efficiency is in line with that of the BMW i3, Chevy Spark EV and Nissan Leaf.
EPA estimates for the 2016 500e weren't published when this review was prepared (we will update when they are available). But with the same propulsion system and no material changes to the rest of the package, we expect the 2016 to echo the 2015 with a combined city/highway driving range rating of 87 miles. That's better than the similarly sized Spark EV's 82 miles and the Ford Focus Electric's 76 miles, though the Kia Soul EV and Nissan Leaf have higher estimates.
Fiat says the 500e, with its standard 6.6 kW charger, can fully recharge in four hours on a 240-volt outlet, an estimate confirmed in our testing. If your only available circuit is standard 120-volt household current, charging time increases considerably.
Safety
The 2016 Fiat 500e comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag and active front head restraints. Rear parking sensors also are standard, and a warning sound is emitted at low speeds to warn pedestrians of the near-silent 500e's presence.
In zzdcar testing, a 500e needed 129 feet to stop from 60 mph, average for small EVs.
Driving
An electric motor can provide its full torque as soon as you ask for it (gasoline engines have to build up their engine rpm to achieve their maximum torque and power), so as with other EVs, the 500e accelerates briskly from a standstill. It also pulls steadily to higher speeds, although the acceleration tapers off as speeds approach the 500e's 85 mph maximum. All EVs are quiet, but the 500e's aerodynamic upgrades and a host of other sound-reducing measures make for an impressively tranquil cabin, even if you're moving at highway speed. The energy-saving regenerative braking feels pretty normal, essentially devoid of the somewhat grabby feel that many EVs' brakes exhibit.
Compared with other electric cars in its price range, the 2016 Fiat 500e stands apart for its sporty handling and fun-to-drive character. It feels nimble and quick to respond, and fitting into a tight parking slot or hitting a gap in traffic is a cinch. The generally light steering takes on more "weight" when cruising down highways, providing a confident, reassuring feel that's uncommon in such a small car.
Interior
The interior of the 500e is a cheery place, where airy orange accents set off either white or black as the primary interior color. We wish the plastics looked and felt a little better, though, and that trim panels were fit with more precision. However, these conditions are no different from the conventionally powered Fiat 500.
An easy-to read, 7-inch circular instrument cluster is standard for the 500e, and its primary focus is on EV-specific data such as driving range, energy use and the battery pack's state of charge. Also provided are basic operational information such as speed and gear selection, as well as phone connection status. There are numerous ways in which to arrange the display to suit your preference. The new Uconnect infotainment system is integrated in the dash and gets rid of the tacky handheld navigation device that was affixed to the dash on an exposed external mount in previous model years.
There's ample room in the front seats for taller occupants, thanks in part to noticeably high seat cushions that optimize legroom. Be advised that the optional sunroof drastically cuts into your headroom, though. And because the battery pack and other electronics are situated rearward, rear seat legroom is pretty much nonexistent.
Luggage and cargo space also take a hit. With the rear seatbacks up, the 500e provides just 7.0 cubic feet of space (down from 9.5 cubic feet in the regular 500) and 26.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. Nonetheless, the 500e's cargo area compares reasonably well with the larger Leaf, which offers 30 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down.
2016 FIAT 500e models
The 2016 Fiat 500e is a two-door mini-compact hatchback sold in a single, well-equipped trim level. It shares most of its bodywork with the standard gasoline-powered Fiat 500, but has its own specific front and rear body panels, wider side sills, smooth underbody components, rear spoiler and 500e-specific 15-inch alloy wheels. The bodywork was designed to optimize aerodynamics, which helps boost that all-important driving range.
Standard features for the 500e include heated side mirrors, rear parking sensors, automatic climate control, full power accessories, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, cruise control, manually adjustable heated front seats with driver-side height adjustment, leatherette (premium vinyl) upholstery, a leather-wrapped tilt-adjustable steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and 50/50-split folding rear seats. Standard technology features include Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a version of Chrysler's in-dash Uconnect system that includes a 5-inch touchscreen, navigation, voice commands and a six-speaker Alpine audio system with a CD player, satellite radio, a USB port and an auxiliary audio jack.
The only options are a sunroof and the e-Sport appearance package that includes darkened exterior lamp bezels, orange exterior trim pieces and special 15-inch wheels for a more customized look.
2016 500e Highlights
Base MSRP | $31,800 |
---|---|
EV Tax Credits & Rebates | $4,000 |
Engine Type | Electric |
Cost to Drive | $64/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 7.0 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
EV Battery Warranty | 8 years / 100,000 miles |
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