2024 FIAT 500e

Bringing the 500e back to the States is as interesting as it is surprising. It didn't sell in huge numbers and its limited electric range limited its appeal, too. However, the European version of the fully electric Fiat 500 received a huge makeover in 2020. This is the one we're getting here. The latest design marries the 500's cutesy throwback proportions with an updated design and a load of modern tech. It's also slightly longer and wider and features a longer wheelbase than the car that came before it, meaning the interior isn't as claustrophobic as the previous 500's.

The 2024 500e's battery pack is good for what Fiat estimates to be 149 miles of range. That's less than what most other 2024 EVs are capable of though it does better the 2024 electric Mini Hardtop's EPA-estimated 114 miles. We'll be sure to run the 500e on our independent Edmunds EV Range Test and Edmunds Charging Test once we can get a 500e in for full testing.

The 2024 500e will arrive with three drive modes: Normal, Range and Sherpa. Normal is meant to drive like a gas-powered 500 and supplies all the power available. The Range mode enables full one-pedal driving with strong regenerative braking and conserves some energy. Sherpa mode aims to provide the maximum range by reducing power to the climate system and limiting the speed to 50 mph. If you're planning on driving anywhere with warm temperatures, we highly suggest avoiding Sherpa — Miami weather had us switching out of it real quick. The Range mode proved to be the perfect setting. The one-pedal driving worked effectively and was easy to get used to it. Acceleration in this setting did decrease but was still smooth and ample for city streets.

The new steering wheel is smaller and much more ergonomic than the last and surely helps with maneuverability. There is a perfect amount of weight to the steering, so driving around town feels undemanding. Unfortunately, the suspension is still not a strong suit in this 500. It's stiff and you'll feel a lot of road imperfections making their way inside the cabin.

Preconditioning enables the owner to set heating and air-conditioning preferences before driving off, a nice amenity for those in colder and warmer climates. The climate system works well, and it sure does help that the cabin is puny.

The most interesting tech, by far, is surely the Acoustic Vehicle Alert System, which has been programmed to "sing" a warning to pedestrians with a specific song called "The Sound of 500" written by an Italian composer. The melody goes off once the vehicle reaches 20 mph, and it only does it that one time throughout the drive. We tried it out on our first drive, and although charming, the sound is hardly audible, especially from inside the cabin. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, though.

Bonus: Fiat is throwing in a home charger box system or charge credits through Free2move with the purchase of a 500e. No cannoli or gelato, though. 

If the (RED) label sounds familiar, it’s because rock star and U2 frontman Bono founded an organization of the same name with Bobby Shriver (son of the Peace Corps founder R. Sargent Shriver) in 2006 to fight AIDS. Bono was on hand for the video launch of the 500e.