2024 Fiat 600e



Fiat has, understandably, tried numerous ways to bask in some reflected glory of it's ultra-successful 'new' 500 model, and results have been... mixed. Take, for example, the 500L MPV which was, erm, dire. But now there's a new not-quite-a-500 and it's called the 600. Like the original 600, it's a bit bigger than a 500 (in fact, it's based on the same underpinnings as the Jeep Avenger), but unlike the old 600, it's launching in electric 600e form. The question is, will it be anything like as desirable as the smaller 500?

Test Car Specifications

Model: 2024 Fiat 600e La Prima
Price: £36,995 as tested
Motors: 115kW electric motor
Battery: 54kWh
Transmission: single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 154hp
Torque: 260Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 252 miles
0-62mph: 9.0 seconds
Top speed: 93mph
Boot space: 360-1,231 litres

Styling

In many ways, the 600e looks exactly as you'd expect. There's a distinct crossover between this and the smaller 500, from the shape of the nose to the design of the headlights, and even the rear-end design makes it look like a kind of swollen 500. In fairness, there's nothing too wrong with that, and the car actually looks pretty smart, particularly in one of the better colours. Fiat is sworn off grey, apparently (we'll gloss over the grey that's available for the 600e) but with this kind of coral orange/pink/red colour, which is called 'Sun of Italy' it actually looks quite lively and interesting. There's always a sense that it isn't quite as cute as the 500, though.

Interior

The 600e’s cabin is quite plain thanks to the lack of need for much in the way of buttons. Everything lives in the 10-inch touchscreen that’s standard across the 600e range, including some of the climate control and the media switches, so buttons are kept to a minimum on the dash.

That said, Fiat has still put more in there than was strictly necessary, using a bank of switches as a gear selector, a bit like an Aston Martin. And we promise that’s the last time you’ll hear any mention of British premium brands in this review. Anyway, the lack of a gear lever has freed up space in the centre console for storage, so there’s a useful storage box in there, albeit slightly neutered by its oddly designed folding lid.

Overall, though, the design is fairly smart, and quality is reasonable. Some of the materials feel a bit cheap in places, but most are quite tactile and they’ve got that Fiat ‘cool’ about them. Particularly the seat upholstery. Admittedly, overall build quality isn’t perfect – some buttons feel a bit tacky and things – but it’s better than you might expect from Fiat.

Practicality

For those in the front, the 600e will be more than spacious enough, but those in tha back will find it a bit more cramped. There is room for four adults, but only just, and nobody will feel especially flush for space if you try it. Still, kids will be perfectly happy back there and adults will fit if necessary, so it should be flexible enough to keep most customers content. The same goes for the boot, which isn't huge at 360 litres, but it's around the same size as that of an MG4 EV and it's only a bit smaller than that of a Cupra Born, so it's fairly average for the class.

Performance

Fiat is offering the 600e with just one powertrain, and that comprises a 54kWh battery and a 154hp electric motor, which drives the front wheels. It’s a fairly simple system, and it provides respectable performance, with a 0-62mph time of nine seconds flat and a top speed of 93mph. That’s hardly mind-bending, but it’s more than adequate for day-to-day use, and the fact there’s only one forward gear means the acceleration is relentless, if not rapid. It’s still enough to keep up with traffic.

And it allows Fiat to achieve reasonable efficiency from that 54kWh battery. It isn’t a massive power pack, but it is big enough to offer more than 250 miles of range on the official economy test. And on our test drive, we found it capable of around 200 miles on a long motorway drive – the sworn enemy of a battery-powered car. Sure, that’s only really adequate, but the ability to charge at 100kW means the car can be topped up fairly quickly from a suitable ultra-rapid charger. So while urban driving remains the 600e’s forte, it isn’t completely incapable of longer drives.

Ride & Handling

The way the 600e drives is unremarkable in lots of ways, but we don’t see that putting any prospective buyers off. Sure, it would be nice if it had the terrier-like enthusiasm of the 500e had been passed on, but this is a more mature, more grown-up product and it’s designed to offer comfort and stability, which it does reasonably well. The low-speed ride isn’t always perfect thanks in part to the heavy battery, but it’s hardly harsh. Better still, the 600e’s powertrain is quiet and the car rides well enough when it’s up to speed. The steering, meanwhile, doesn’t have much in the way of feel, but it’s precise and reassuring in its weight, which gives you plenty of control. It won’t engage any keen drivers – wait for the Abarth version for that – but it’ll be well suited to the work most customers will demand of it.

Value

Because the entry-level 600 trim is reserved for the mild-hybrid petrol versions, the cheapest 600e variant is the (Red) model made in collaboration with AIDS charity (Red), and that starts at £32,995. That's quite a lot more than the £23,975 you'll pay for a petrol 600, but it's slightly less than you'll pay for the basic version of the closely related Jeep Avenger. And you get plenty of kit, including the 10-inch touchscreen, climate control and rear parking sensors. But if you go for the La Prima tested here (£36,995) you get satellite navigation, wireless phone charging and a reversing camera thrown in, not to mention heated seats in the front.

Verdict

The 600e isn't a bad car. It has a useful (if not especially exceptional) real-world range and it manages to showcase its relationship with the 500 without feeling too much like an overgrown city car. It's also kind of adequate to drive, and refinement is acceptable, but like the old 500X, the 600 just doesn't have the charm of the 500, so it seems destined to be a bit of an also-ran.