The long-awaited 2024 Fiat 500e is expected to hit U.S. shores next year and may do so with a US$ 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 US$ 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 US$ 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 US$ 32,500 in the U.S., that would
make it roughly US$ 5,000 more expensive than the larger and more practical
Chevrolet Bolt and only about US$ 6,000 less than the far more well-rounded,
practical, and well-equipped Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.
