Review: Fiat 600e
Electric Fiat 600 Review
Fiat is on a steady path to electrification, with its electric 500 already becoming a popular car in the EV segment. But what if you like the look and charm of the 500e, but need a little more in the way of space and practicality? That’s where the 600e comes into play.
It’s a family hatchback with a similarly quirky design to the 500, while an electric powertrain underneath promises low running costs and zero emissions. We’ve been behind the wheel to see what it’s like.
What’s new?
The 600e arrives as a brand-new model for Fiat. It’s not an extended version of the 500, for example, and though it does have some visual similarities to the crossover - and petrol-powered - 500X, the two are quite different mechanically. It does share a lot with other models from the rest of the Stellantis range, however, with the most notable of these being the new Jeep Avenger.
The 600e does revive a model name that was last used in 2010, though that model was only on sale in Fiat’s native Italy and didn’t come to our shores. So for the UK at least, this is a brand-new thing.
What’s under the bonnet?
It’ll probably come as no surprise that the 600e is incredibly similar to the Jeep when it comes to its powertrain. There’s the same 154bhp electric motor, for example, powering the front wheels. It’s all driven by a 54kWh battery pack, too.
Fiat claims up to 252 miles of range from the 600e, while a maximum charging speed of 100kW means that a 20 to 80 per cent charge could be conducted in as little as 30 minutes. An 11kW onboard charging means that a full charge via a more domestic charger will take less than six hours, making it ideal for overnight top-ups.
What’s the Fiat 600e like to drive?
Fiat has adopted a more comfort-focused approach for the 600e, which is probably why this EV is able to deal with potholes and road imperfections so easily. Even over really poor, broken sections of road the 600e does very well to stop any lumps and bumps from being transferred through to the cabin.
The flip side of this is that the 600e can feel a little overly soft in the bends, though this isn’t a dynamic-focused car after all. The light steering might not make the 600e feel overly sporty, too, but it makes it a breeze to drive in urban environments and busy traffic which is where the 600e will have been primarily designed for.
How does it look?
It’s always been a tough job to translate the look of the 500 onto a larger platform - we only have to use the awkwardly-styled 500L as an example - but we’d argue that it has been a successful operation with the 600e. However, Fiat has ditched its chrome-focused approach of earlier cars in favour of far less cluttered surfaces.
It’s got that upright, crossover-like style that buyers are after at the moment, too, while in true Fiat fashion, there will be plenty of exterior paint options to choose from. In fact, Fiat has ditched grey colours for its cars because it wasn’t fitting with the brand’s ‘Dolce Vita’ - or ‘good life’ - ethos.
What’s it like inside
Fiat has borrowed quite a lot from the Jeep Avenger inside, too. There’s the same tablet-like cover lower down the dashboard while, like the Jeep, there’s loads of oddment storage dotted throughout the cabin of the Fiat. Certain grades add an embossed ‘Fiat’ logo on the headrests, too, which adds a bit of extra character.
The interior is spacious enough for most occasions, too. Though the very tallest rear-seat passengers might feel a little squashed, the vast majority of people will be able to get comfy. There’s a handy 360 litres of boot space, too, while the opening to it is wide and easy to access.
What’s the spec like?
As we’ve come to find with the 500e, Fiat has been comprehensively specifying its cars when it comes to equipment. The 600e is no different, with all cars getting 16-inch wheels as standard alongside LED headlights, rear parking sensors and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Top-spec La Prima versions add in 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, synthetic leather seats and a reversing camera, alongside a driver’s seat with six-way electric adjustment.
Verdict
The 600e shows some real intent from Fiat to expand its electric car line-up. Though it might not feel quite as ‘special’ as the 500e, it ticks the boxes when it comes to range, equipment and design.
Its focus on comfort is refreshing, too, and coupled with its spacious interior and well-sized boot, we could see the 600e becoming a real hit with UK motorists - particularly families looking to make the jump to an EV.
