There’s no denying the success of the latest Fiat 500, or more recently the 500e – Stellantis’ best-selling EV. However, the same can’t necessarily be said of its derivatives, the 500L and 500X, which have largely been forgotten. Although, the 500X SUV will carry on alongside this new 600e.
Thankfully, Fiat’s designers have been very clever this time round, almost scaling-up the 500e’s hatchback shape. At the front, there’s the same smiley, round-eyed expression as the smaller car. The sides showing the same smooth detailing – but adding an extra set of doors. The back is probably the biggest change, with the same falling roofline and hatch as the baby EV. In our opinion, the 600e’s upright shape is far better proportioned than any other 500 derivative, but we wonder if the overall design is too soft?
Inside, thanks to this Fiat’s upright shape, the 600e feels spacious. It shares its e-CMP platform with other Stellantis brands, but the 600e is probably closest to sister car the Jeep Avenger, as they’re built in the same plant in Tichy, Poland. As such, apart from the ivory-coloured top half of the dash of the La Prima version we drove, which is very 500e, the rest is very Jeep.
The 600e has the feel of a pre-Stellantis Fiat Group car. Yet if you look closer, the French tie-up has gifted this Fiat the familiar stalks, switchgear, and infotainment, with the lower button gear selector and higher bank of switches coming from the 500e. Like the exterior, the 600e’s interior design is neat, attractive and everything feels well screwed together. On top of feeling spacious, there’s a 360-litre boot.
The only interior dislikes are the hard and shiny plastics for the doors and dashboard – although the 500e is much the same. Plus, taller rear passengers might find the legroom challenging and we’re not fans of the Apple iPad-like magnetic cover for the deep central dashboard cubby. It feels cheap – and we can’t help but wonder how long will it last.
Fiat announced petrol hybrid versions at the launch, but for now there’s just the EV version – that we’re driving here – available. The single front-mounted motor produces 156hp and 260 Nm of torque.
The 252-mile range matches class rivals, but is still competitive when compared to those cars. Another key new part is the 600e’s new 54kWh battery, which is very compact and is located under the front and rear seats and the central tunnel. When it comes to charging, this Fiat’s on-board charger delivers 100kW, equalling a 20 to 80% charge in just 27 minutes at a fast charger, with a 0-100% charge taking five and a half hours on an 11kW charger.
There are just two 600e equipment grades, and we had the La Prima range-topper, which includes 18in wheels, but the ride is still softer, more comfortable and refined than the Avenger. The light steering, soft ride and tall-ish stance means there’s some body roll, but there’s plenty of grip and this Fiat feels very safe on the move.
Performance is adequate rather than fast, and dependent on mode. ‘Normal’ is where this Fiat feels happiest, and it doesn’t feel slow unless you’re forced to do emergency overtaking – where you wish there was more power. ‘Sport’ works best out of town – making the accelerator noticeably more responsive. Although the brakes need more feel and are a bit snatchy at low speeds.
Prices start at £32,995 for the entry-level RED, which although cheaper than the Avenger is still a chunk of cash, and rise to £36,995 for the La Prima. The 600e is a clever extension of the Fiat brand using Stellantis knowhow, but whilst its sister car the Jeep Avenger costs more it is also the more capable drive.
Fiat 600e La Prima
P11D: £36,940
On sale: October
Residual value: 37%
Depreciation: £22,689
Fuel: £3,516
Service, maintenance and repair: TBC
Cost per mile: TBC
Range: 252 miles
CO2 (BIK %): 0g/km (2%)
BIK 20/40% a month: £12/£24
Luggage capacity: 360 litres
Battery size/power: 54kWh/156hp
