Fiat 500e | Emergency number

The curtain seemed to have definitively fallen on Fiat in Canada. Again. But the Italian brand has this ability, sometimes, to come back to the forefront and it owes it today to the Fiat 500e. This appears all the more essential in the eyes of its automotive group, which does not have any fully electrified products in its North American showrooms to date. The 500th therefore takes care to occupy this vast space, but for how long?

Since its launch in Europe in the fall of 2020, success has been knocking on its doors. The blow has since subsided. Moreover, just a few days ago, the Italian factory responsible for giving it shapes and colors temporarily suspended its activities. Supply far exceeds demand. The product is not the issue, but the segment it occupies is. Divergent policies on ecological incentives in the European market are putting a brake on the growth of electric vehicles.

On this side of the Atlantic, the situation is hardly different, but Fiat and the North American managers of the Stellantis group only see advantages. First, a not too expensive opportunity to sell additional units of the 500th and, therefore, to reduce the financial penalties imposed by certain governments on these manufacturers who do not achieve the environmental targets set.

Let's leave politics aside. Let's focus instead on the technology of this Fiat which, despite appearances, has nothing in common with the model we have already known. Furthermore, it is based on an architecture whose days seem numbered. Indeed, Stellantis has already announced the creation of a new platform (code name STLA-Small) for the group's small cars. This is a good indicator that in its current form, this 500th will not last much longer. Another indication: a new, less expensive battery (produced in China and not in South Korea as is currently the case) and offering better performance (more autonomy) is being designed. And everything suggests that it will be installed on board the next version expected for 2026. Here are stories for tomorrow…

Let's return to today's 500e which, despite having a similar appearance to that of the 500 sold in Canada until 2019, is longer, taller and wider. However, these increased dimensions have no impact on the habitability of this vehicle. The rear seats remain as measured as before. The difficulty in reaching them or getting out of them too. The trunk is not very generous and the absence of a small space under the hood is disappointing.

The interior presentation and storage spaces have been redesigned, the central console modernized, a new multimedia system installed and soundproofing better ensured. On the other hand, the seats are not very comfortable over long distances. The seat is sorely lacking in relief and provides little support. Too bad, because we feel good there. The atmosphere is colorful and this interior exudes so much good humor that we forget the somewhat poor texture of certain materials.

Discreet and linear, the engine that drives it achieves satisfactory performance considering the very urban nature of this model. There are three customization modes, but only one offers any semblance of one-pedal driving.

The 500e in no way renounces the intrinsic qualities of previous generations. In particular its minimal turning radius, which almost allows it to turn on itself, or the agility it demonstrates in traffic. The direct responsiveness of its electric propulsion and the very well contained body movements make it even more fun. Even if its wheelbase has increased slightly, the suspensions remain stiff and firmly hit the deformations of the road. The steering may feel slow at first, but it actually offers little feel. On the other hand, the front end grips fiercely in corners and helps to give confidence to the steering wheel.

Although she sparkles in an urban environment, the little Italian doesn't fear the expressways. It turns out to be stable, sufficiently quiet at cruising speed, but a little sensitive to side winds.

This 500e no longer claims to reinvent the automobile, but reveals itself to be an affordable, empathetic model, designed for the city with the concessions that this implies and the advantages that this provides. But is this really what North American consumers are looking for? There is room for doubt.