First review: why the electric Fiat 500e 3+1 is and is not a resounding success

Don’t bang the doors! Or, actually. Because the third door is exactly what distinguishes the electric Fiat 500e 3+1 from the other versions. Is such a door practical or is it mainly a nice gimmick?

First review: why the electric Fiat 500e 3+1 is and is not a resounding success

What is striking about the electric Fiat 500e 3 + 1?

The Fiat 500e and 500e 3+1 are still in the shadow of their almost 15 (!) year old petrol predecessor in the Netherlands. Less than 25 percent of 500 buyers opt for an electric car.

How right is that? Not at all based on looks. The Nuova 500 from 2007 was particularly successful and this reincarnation of the reincarnation is once again excellent. The 3+1 has a nice extra: a rear door on the right. Just like the old Mini Clubman and the Hyundai Veloster, it opens in the opposite direction. In terms of size and space, you do not get ahead.

First review: why the electric Fiat 500e 3+1 is and is not a resounding success

What are the advantages of the Fiat 500e 3+1?

Unique is a somewhat worn-out marketing term (“Take advantage of this unique offer!”), but it does apply to the Fiat 500 3 + 1. The appearance is very sympathetic and cannot be compared with any other car, the third door makes the 500th in our opinion even more photogenic.

The comfort is also surprisingly good for each other. The Fiat’s chassis has no problem with almost all kinds of bumps. The seating position is also excellent, which positively distinguishes the new 500 from its predecessor. You were feeling too high in that.

First review: why the electric Fiat 500e 3+1 is and is not a resounding success

But it is mainly the power of the electric motor, in combination with the compact dimensions, that makes the Fiat 500 so irresistible. Especially in the city, the 118 hp 500 feels at home like Albert Verlinde in a gossip program. It is not yet allowed in corona time, but the Fiat 500e 3 + 1 offers you the better kart feeling.

Parking in tight public spaces with a charging station is a piece of cake, a relief after the Land Rover Defender P400e with which we previously tested our charging luck. The Fiat 500e 3+1 has an 85 kW charger as standard. With this you can be back at 80 percent charge level in 35 minutes. The range is in theory more than 300 kilometers, although you do not come close to that in winter conditions.

Curious which cars we will be driving in the near future and whether Fiat will finally come up with a new Panda this year?


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First review: why the electric Fiat 500e 3+1 is and is not a resounding success

What are the downsides of the Fiat 500e 3+1?

That extra door is nice, but adults still have to perform a Houdini act to get in the back. You will only succeed if you sit sideways, provided you are not too tall. If you are 1.90 meters tall, you can see in the photo above where you should put your feet …

Electric cars are like baby boomers with a lot of money: they would prefer to spend the winter in Spain until the sun comes out again. In winter, the theoretical range in Normal mode is 250 kilometers, but if you make a lot of highway kilometers, then you can be happy with 200 kilometers. An additional pity is that the on-board computer does not indicate how much battery charge you have left at the destination. Halfway through a longer winter ride, the good old one comes again range anxiety look around the corner …

Our testauto had a remarkable defect: several times the adaptive cruise control suddenly stopped. After which a message appears in the display that it is temporarily unavailable. Temporarily is a flexible concept among the Italians: sometimes it took a minute before it worked again, sometimes at least half an hour.

First review: why the electric Fiat 500e 3+1 is and is not a resounding success

When will the Fiat 500e 3+1 come to the Netherlands and what is the price?

A Fiat 500 has never been cheap, the electric versions are also expensive. The 500th 3 + 1 costs about 1500 euros more than the regular electric 500 with its extra door.

The Fiat 500e 3+1 has been at the dealer for a while and costs at least 26,364 euros. For our La Prima version, including a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and artificial leather, you pay 30,496 euros. But that amount can be reduced, Minister Kaag is happy to swing open the heavy lid of the Treasury for you if you buy an electric 500. The pot for subsidy on electric cars in 2022 is not yet finished. So you will still be rewarded with a subsidy of 3350 euros for your plug purchase.

The 3+1 is only available with the larger battery pack of 42 kWh. The regular three-door 500 is also available with a small battery of 23.7 kWh.

First review: why the electric Fiat 500e 3+1 is and is not a resounding success

What do I think of the Fiat 500e 3+1?

Is the 500th 3+1 a smashing success? Well, if you see that third door as a nice gimmick, or if you have small children that you have to strap into their seats. That is easier than with the three-door. But not if you expect that the Fiat 500 now offers a spacious entry to the rear. It keeps on wriggling for advanced riders if you’re tall… The charm of the 500th 3+1 is literally and figuratively priceless: it drives nice, but you pay a high price for it.


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