Fiat 600e review

When it comes to twins, if they're non-identical they won't look the same, but are still a genetic match under the skin. Similarly, the Fiat 600e looks unique but, underneath, it isn't. And it doesn't share its DNA with just one other, either, but a number of electric SUVs.

Now, when we're talking about DNA in relation to cars (or, in this case electric SUVs), we mean the major bits: the chassis, battery pack and electric motor. And the 600e shares those with various models from all the other brands grouped together under the Stellantis umbrella. Of those in-house rivals, we reckon the Jeep Avenger Electric is the most competitive.

However, there are more rivals out there from other manufacturers – cars that don't share anything at all with the 600e. Well, other than the desire for your business. So keep reading and we'll tell you how the 600e stacks up against those competitors, too, including the Ford Puma Gen-E and Renault 4.

What’s new?

• September 2025: Icon trim level announced featuring black/ivory fabric seats and extra kit over Red trim. 
• June 2025: entry-level Red trim goes on sale, featuring 17in diamond-cut alloy wheels, keyless go and red badging. 

Most electric SUVs give you options regarding some or all of the following: battery size, power output, and number of driven wheels. Not the Fiat 600e, though. All models come with a 51kWh (usable) battery, powering a 152bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels. The official range is up to 254 miles, which is good for the class but doesn't quite match the 270-mile potential of the Kia EV3. 

There are three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – and in the first two of those, power is limited to maximise range. Well, it's limited unless you stamp on the accelerator hard enough to press the kick-down switch, in which case you get the full 152bhp to get you out of trouble. In Sport mode, maximum power is available by using the accelerator pedal normally, and the response to your inputs is noticeably sharper.

Whichever mode you're in, if you use all the available performance the 600e goes from 0-62mph in nine seconds, which is nippy rather than rapid. And being so closely related mechanically to those in-house rivals, including the Jeep Avenger Electric, they aren't obviously quicker. Out-of-house rivals are a different story, though. The more powerful Ford Puma Gen-E hits 62mph in eight seconds, and the Renault 4 isn't far behind that. 

Those two handle more keenly, too. On twisty roads, the 600e’s relatively soft suspension results in noticeable body lean, and the numb steering never gives you the confidence to approach corners spiritedly. Add in the spongy brake pedal, which makes the brakes feel grabby, and there's little fun in driving the 600e with any real dynamism.

Drive it in a leisurely manner, though, and it's much better. The 600e is far better suited to urban environments, where the lightweight steering and tight turning circle combine to make it a doddle to drive.

To mitigate the sponginess of the brake pedal – by being able to use it less – you can select 'B' mode on the gear selector. This increases the amount of regenerative braking when you lift off the accelerator so you don't have to hit the actual brake pedal as often. The regenerative braking effect isn't as strong as it is in some EVs, though; it's not a one-pedal drive mode that'll bring a car to a complete stop without you touching the brake pedal.  

As for the ride, it's decent rather than outstanding. The 600e deals with potholes and broken surfaces around town without thumping as much as the DS3 E-Tense. In that sense, it's more akin to the Jeep Avenger Electric. At motorway speeds, it can be fidgety over anything but perfectly rolled Tarmac, but it's not uncomfortable. There are better-riding alternatives, though, like the Renault 4 and Kia EV3.

The Renault 4 and EV3 are also quieter at motorway speeds – you hear a noticeable amount of tyre and wind noise inside the 600e. But around town, the near-silence of its electric motor makes things lot more tranquil.

“If you consider it a big sibling to the Fiat 500e, then I think you’ll appreciate its urban focus.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

Given the Fiat 600e’s retro exterior styling, you might be surprised by the relatively modern and conventional look of its interior. In fact, inside it shares more than a passing resemblance to the Jeep Avenger Electric. Plenty of buttons, switches and screens have been crossed over between the two cars, including the infotainment system, gear selector buttons and climate-control switches.

We appreciate that it has proper switches, too. They’re always easier to use on the move than fiddly touchscreen icons, which is what you have to deal with in rivals like the Peugeot e-2008. 

The 600e is available with brightly-coloured interior trim that helps liven things up a bit – more so than the greyer Vauxhall Mokka Electric. Even entry-level RED models have a dashboard that's painted – surprise, surprise – red. Icon trim is the same story, while in range-topping La Prima cars, the dash is a matt ivory colour. Most of the plastics on show are hard to the touch, but most rivals are no different. The Renault 4 feels more premium inside, but that’s more an exception than the rule. 

Visibility is impressive, thanks to the relatively tall windows and thinnish pillars. LED headlights and rear parking sensors are standard across the range, while mid-level Icon trim adds front parking sensors and a reversing camera. 

The driving position is decent and there's enough adjustment to the driver's seat and steering wheel to cater for most shapes and sizes. And you sit higher from the road than you would in a typical small car, giving the 600e a suitably baby-SUV feel. On top-spec La Prima models, the driver's seat is electrically adjustable and adds adjustable lumbar support plus a massage function. 

The 600e's 10.3in infotainment touchscreen is positioned high up in the dashboard, so it’s easy to see while driving. The menu layout could be better thought out, however; the icons would be easier to hit were they bigger, and the software isn't always super responsive. On the plus side, the physical shortcut buttons below the screen do alleviate some of the issue.    

You have to pay extra for built-in sat-nav on RED trim, but we wouldn’t bother because Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard. That means you can sync up your phone and run navigation apps, such as Google Maps and Waze, through the touchscreen. In-built sat-nav is standard from Icon trim.

The 600e in RED trim has a four-speaker sound system, while Icon and La Prima have a six-speaker set-up that sounds quite a bit better.

“I was surprised to see a massage function on the driver’s seat of our top-spec test car. Mind you, the massage it gives you isn't that pleasurable.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

The Fiat 600e is quite compact by electric SUV standards. It’s a touch longer than the Jeep Avenger Electric but, for context, shorter than a VW Golf.

Unsurprisingly, then, it’s not the most practical family car. While taller adults in the front seats should have enough room, it's a different story in the back. Even an average-sized adult will find their knees touching the seat in front, although rear head room is decent. Have a look at the roomier Kia EV3 if you need something more spacious.

In terms of interior storage space, the 600e comes with plenty of cubbies up front. There’s a huge cubby covered by a magnetic lid at the bottom of the dashboard, which includes a wireless phone-charger on Icon trim. There are also two cupholders, a cubby under the centre armrest and a phone-sized rubberised storage tray under the centre air vents.

The 600e has a 360-litre boot, which is almost identical in size to the Jeep Avenger’s (355 litres). That's big enough for a buggy and a decent haul of shopping, and the broad, square boot opening makes it easy to load chunkier items. But other rivals are better in terms of cargo space. The Renault 4 offers over 400 litres, as do the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV, while the Puma Gen-E has a whopping 523 litres of space.

The 600e Icon and La Prima trims come with a handy adjustable boot floor – entry-level RED misses out on that. In its highest setting, the adjustable boot floor reduces the big lip at the boot entrance (making it easier to load heavier items) and gives you plenty of space underneath for the charging cables. That's handy, because there's no front boot.

You can fold down the rear seat backs in a 60/40 split, which is par for the course in the electric SUV class, but the Hyundai Kona Electric has extra facility reclining rear seats. 

“The height-adjustable boot floor adds an extra layer of flexibility that I think buyers will appreciate.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

The Fiat 600e isn't the cheapest small electric SUV, but it's still competitively priced. It's more expensive than the Renault 4, positioned roughly in line with the Ford Puma Gen-E, and undercuts the closely-related Jeep Avenger Electric and Peugeot e-2008, as well as the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV.

That’s especially true if you go for entry-level RED trim, and while it's not brimming with features, you do get an infotainment kit, rear parking sensors, 17in alloys, climate control, and a heat pump as standard.

If you can find the extra cash, though, we’d advise you step up to the Icon trim. This still undercuts equivalent versions of the Avenger and e-2008 while adding the six-speaker sound system, front parking sensors, rear-view camera, wireless phone charger, keyless entry, and height-adjustable boot floor.

The range-topping La Prima trim is worth considering as well. It gains 18in alloys, hands-free powered tailgate, power-folding door mirrors, electrically adjustable driver’s seat, adaptive cruise control and extra safety features like blind-spot monitoring. But these are more nice-to-haves, rather than absolute necessities. 

At the time of the writing, the 600e hasn't been tested for safety by Euro NCAP, but it has plenty of other aids to stop you from having an accident in the first place, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) with cyclist and pedestrian detection. 

The 600e has a maximum charging speed of up to 100kW, so a fast charge from 10-80% will take around 30 minutes. That’s faster than you can charge the Niro EV (80kW) and about the same as the Puma Gen-E (100kW), but Smart #1 charges at up to 150kW and should get you on the move sooner. If you’re plugging into a 7kW home wallbox charger, expect to wait just over eight hours for a full (0-100%) charge.

In the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, Fiat as a brand finished a disappointing 28th out of 30 manufacturers, which is slightly concerning. Only Nissan and MG were below worse than that.

If anything were to go wrong, the 600e is (like all Fiats) covered by a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty. Some rivals can better that: Hyundai offers a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, while Kia offers a seven-year warranty.

“I’m happy that even the top trim remains reasonably priced, but Fiat's reliability record is a concern.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer

Buy it if...

- You want something easy to drive around town 

- You need a decent electric range

- You want a reasonably affordable electric SUV

Don’t buy it if…

- You need a big boot or regularly carry adults in the back seats

- You cover mostly motorway miles

- You want an electric car that's quick and fun to drive

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here