The long-awaited 2024 Fiat 500e is expected to hit U.S. shores next year and may do so with a $32,500 MSRP. While that will make it cheaper than the short-lived first-generation 500e, it is a lot for a vehicle of this size.
Technical specifications for the U.S. model have not yet been announced but are expected to be confirmed early next week. In all likelihood, the U.S. model will be very similar to the 500e sold in Europe and other markets, where it is equipped with a tiny 42 kWh battery pack and a front-mounted electric motor with 117 hp.
Cars Direct understands that some of the key standard features of the U.S. model will include 17-inch aluminum wheels with 205/45 all-season tires, a 10.25-inch Uconnect 5 infotainment system, and cloth bucket seats with red accents.
It remains unclear if the 500e will be eligible for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Stellantis may choose to build it at a North American factory so it meets Inflation Reduction Act requirements for the tax credit but given that the car is quite a niche model and likely won’t sell in significant numbers, we’d be surprised if that happens. We think it is more likely the car will continue to be built in Italy and exported to the U.S. Shoppers may be able to get a $7,500 tax credit if they lease the electric hatchback.
We recently had the opportunity to test the Fiat 500e in Australia and found it to be a solid EV but it is questionable value for money. If it does indeed start at $32,500 in the U.S., that would make it roughly $5,000 more expensive than the larger and more practical Chevrolet Bolt and only about $6,000 less than the far more well-rounded, practical, and well-equipped Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.