Test Car Specifications
Model: 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition
Price: From £34,035
Engine: 87kW electric motor
Battery: 42kWh lithium-ion
Transmission: single-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Power: 118hp
Torque: 220Nm
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 193 miles
0-62mph: 9.0 seconds
Top speed: 93mph
Boot space: 185 litres
Styling
Unsurprisingly, the Armani version of the 500e looks much like the standard car, with the same cute, modern and retro design, but Fiat has jazzed it up a bit with some Armani-influenced tweaks. Just two colours are available – Dark Green Metallic and Ceramic Greige – and they’re designed to harmonise with the 17-inch Armani wheels, the panels with Armani’s signature and grey accents. Wheels aside, most onlookers won’t spot the difference between this and the standard car, but those wheels are definitely divisive. Some will love them, and some will see them as spoiling the previously charming aesthetic.
Interior
Inside, the basic 500 cabin design remains, but it has been tweaked with yet more Armani-inspired accoutrements. Chevron stitching and 3D patterns on the seats are designed to remind us of "traditional tailoring techniques," while the dashboard insert made from laser-cut wood is supposed to be a blend of the traditional and the modern. Other changes include Armani's logo on the seats and his signature on the dashboard, doors and rear window.
For all that, though, the 500e's quirks and qualities remain unchanged. The driving position still feels a bit upright, but the 10.25-inch touchscreen is clear and bright, and it doesn't lag too much, either. The digital instrument display is equally sharp, although it doesn't offer much in the way of customisation, and we're still unconvinced by the push-button electric door switches.
Aside from that, the 500e's cabin is fairly well made for a small car, with plastics that feel reasonably tactile and little in the way of sharp edges. There's evidence of cost-cutting if you look for it, obviously, but it does feel much more premium than many small cars on the road these days.
Practicality
Unfortunately, the Armani influence hasn't done anything to improve the amount of space on offer in the 500e's cabin. The rear seats are still really cramped and quite difficult to access, particularly for adults. Kids will probably be alright back there, but having squeezed four six-foot adults into the 500e, we can confirm it's not a pleasant way to travel. Boot space is still limited, too, although the 185 litres of capacity on offer is at least fine for shopping, the school run and the kind of everyday task the 500e was designed for.
Performance
Under the bonnet, the 500e Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition gets the same 42kWh battery and 118hp electric motor that's available with every 500e, albeit not fitted to base models as standard. The battery isn't exactly massive, but Fiat claims it's big enough to offer 199 miles of range in a basic 500e. That falls to 193 miles in the Armani version, but we must admit that with a bit of hypermiling, we managed to get 180 miles or so from a charge on a long drive, so that figure is probably achievable in a more urban environment.
Performance is acceptable, rather than awesome, but it feels faster than the nine-second 0-62mph time would suggest thanks to the immediacy of the delivery from that 87kW electric motor. And because the battery is quite small, it doesn't take too long to charge. It'll take up to 85kW from a public DC charging point, and that will fill the battery from empty to 80 per cent in 35 minutes. And charging fully from an 11kW AC charge point takes just over four hours.
Ride & Handling
Unsurprisingly, the Armani version of the 500e rides and handles just like any other 500e, which is to say, it's quite pleasant to drive. The electric powertrain is clearly geared up for urban driving, and so is the steering, the brakes and the glasshouse, which provides decent visibility. With compact dimensions and a light feel to the steering wheel, the 500e is really easy to manoeuvre, although those more accustomed to much larger cars might find it takes some getting used to. But for nipping around town, there aren't many cars better than this.
On the motorway, however, the 500e isn't quite so capable. It's reasonably planted, but it's tall, the driving position isn't brilliant, it's slightly noisier than you expect and the ride is okay, but not brilliant. That final point becomes even more apparent on country roads, where undulations and imperfections expose a lack of suspension travel that comes from being such a small car. It starts to absorb the bump quite well, then just runs out of spring compression.
That said, the 500e does handle pretty well, and despite the height and body roll, it clings on to the asphalt very well, and it'll reward you for throwing it around a bit. Within reason, of course.
Value
At more than £35,000, the Giorgio Armani Collector's Edition is not what you'd call cheap. While it does come with plenty of kit, including the visual upgrades, the JBL sound system and the heated front seats, it isn't really that much more luxurious than a standard 500e. Even the most basic models get 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning and a reversing camera, as well as keyless start, automatic wipers and the 10.25-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. So while the Armani version offers a fair few upgrades, you have to question whether all that is worth an extra £3,000 over the previously range-topping La Prima model.
Verdict
The Fiat 500e's urban appeal is still as strong as ever, with a cool image and compact dimensions, but while the Armani edition is 'on-brand' for Fiat, it's only really worthwhile if you're a proper Armani aficionado. Admittedly, recent events mean there are probably more of those likely to shell out for the special edition, but for most customers, a more conventional, but still well-equipped mid-range 500e will be a much better everyday option.
