Overview

Though it’s undergone many revisions, trim additions and styling tweaks, the basic shape of the Fiat 500 has remained pretty much the same since it was rebooted in retro-modern form way back in 2007. However, the new 500 is based on a totally fresh set of electric car underpinnings.

Combustion engines are not even an option, and built in a new factory in Turin – leaving the existing 500 factory free to manufacture petrol-powered models for a few years yet. It’s a brilliant conversion – so much so that Best Small Electric Car for 2023 in the Parkers New Car Awards is well deserved.

The interior’s right on the money, too. It’s modern, in contrast to the retro charm of the old model, and feels better built, too. Top-end models get digital dials combined with a widescreen infotainment display, while throughout the cabin buttons and switches have been minimised in a bid to make it as clean-looking as possible. 

For those who like the wind in their hair – and there are plenty of them – it’s great to know that Fiat has continued to offer a 500C convertible for this new electric generation. So far the only four-seater electric soft-top on the market, we’ve covered it in its own separate review. 

Regardless of whether you choose a hard roof or a soft top, the 500’s available in several trim levels, all of which come with plenty of kit including a fully digital dashboard and air-conditioning. Lower-specification cars come with a bracket so your smartphone can perform double duty as an infotainment screen – not a bad idea, considering the size and quality of a modern smartphone screen.

With a starting price of less than £20,000 (after the government’s Plug-in Car Grant) Fiat’s aiming the 500 at the heartland of cheap electric cars – putting it into contention with everything from the Volkswagen e-Up to the Renault Zoe. To see if the 500 can beat those rivals and more, keep reading our detailed review over the next few pages.