2023 Abarth 500e review

Some cars exist to facilitate the school drop-off, some ferry supplies between jobsites, some cushion inhabitants in opulence, and some … well, some are just meant to be fun.

Abarth, a Fiat-owned sub-brand, has been a poster child of this mindset since the 1970s, taking quirky Fiat economy models and turning up the performance wick.

The brand’s currency is ‘fun’, and while its cars have never been especially fast, for decades they’ve delivered all the pops, bangs and whooshes of aural excitement an internal combustion engine can. As we enter a new era, Abarth has tried its hand at transforming the Fiat 500e electric hatchback into something a bit more soulful, but is it fighting a losing battle? 

Firstly, the inescapable: price. Customers won’t see much change from $65,000 before getting on the road, and that outlay buys a 42kWh battery good for 113kW/235Nm sent to the front wheels by a single electric motor and a claimed driving range of 242km (though our testing placed the real-world figure at the shallower end of the 200s).

​​But, like any car with enthusiasts in mind, purchase need not be subject to logic. 

The Abarth 500e is a gorgeous thing, combining flowing and muscular lines in measured proportions that resulted in many gazes and smiles during our time testing.

Wheel wells are filled with 18-inch alloys – almost comically large on such a diminutive body – giving the Abarth 500e a bit of a concept car vibe. A front bumper and grille design bespoke to the electric version and ample ‘Abarth’ badging plead with you to recognise it as something special.

The 10.25-inch infotainment screen runs wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, sat nav, and DAB+ radio, while a six-speaker JBL audio system provides great sound fidelity.

Elsewhere inside, flair informs tasteful design, with Alcantara trim on sports seats, steering wheel and dash giving enough premium feel to take some sting out of the cost. 

Behind the wheel, you realise the Abarth isn’t taking itself too seriously. An electric guitar power chord plays at ‘start up’, with an external speaker synthesising a loud idle and speed-dependant engine note based on a traditional Abarth petrol engine. Active safety features are as they should be: subtle and not detracting from the experience.

On the twisties, the 500e’s 1410kg weight is managed well thanks to an improved front-to-rear weight distribution compared to its petrol counterpart (at 57:43 versus 63:37). Having less weight over the nose gives the 500e bucketloads of mid-corner balance, however a taut ride and high centre of gravity can make it squirrelly on bumpy surfaces when pushed.

Whether a remnant of the model’s left-hand drive origin or a necessity due to electric powertrain components, the driver’s footwell is very cramped.

We recommend not allowing this to lead to left-foot braking, however, as we suspect this was why our 500e brought itself to a complete standstill in the middle of a blind corner during testing, requiring a restart and another strum of the electric guitar to get going. (An Abarth rep said Open Road was the first to report this issue globally.)

Acceleration is not ‘peel your face off’ quick, but it’s a peppy little thing up to 60km/h. Combined with sharp steering, it’s a great around-towner. The tiny driving range does materially hamper enjoyment, however, inspiring paranoid glances at the battery’s state of charge after every stab at the throttle. 

Charge rate also dropped to a measly 11kW above 85 per cent during our testing. Not such an issue in EVs with larger ranges, but a consideration in one where the distance between charges is comparatively minute. For this reason, the 500e is not apt for day-long tours of your favourite driving roads; it’s more suited to spirited runs to the coffee shop on a sunny Sunday morning.

The 2023 Abarth 500e at a glance

Ultimately, the Abarth 500e doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not and shouldn’t be assessed via a cost-benefit analysis. If buying criteria demands your next car be electric, you’ll be hard pressed to find something that offers more fun. The niche the Abarth 500e exists in might be tiny, but it fills its brief perfectly. – Liam Murphy 

Pros: Eager, agile handling; beautifully styled; loads of personality

Cons: Poor driving range; low charging speeds; prohibitive cost