Summary
The Abarth 500e is a compact electric hot hatch that brings Abarth character to the Fiat 500e city car. It combines small dimensions with sharper handling than the standard model and generous standard equipment for its size.
UK media reviews are generally positive about its agility and responsiveness, although outright performance is modest by hot hatch standards and the artificial sound generator divides opinion. Rear passenger space and boot capacity are limited, reflecting its city-focused design.
Low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions score strongly in the Expert Rating Index, supporting its overall ownership case. However, safety and warranty cover are more modest in the context of the wider new car market, and long-term reliability data remains limited.
As of February 2026, the Abarth 500e holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 69%. Strong running cost and eco scores support the overall result, while average media ratings, lower safety scores and a modest warranty rating temper the final grade.
- Fiat 500 Electric (2021 onwards) – Expert Rating
- More Abarth Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features
500e highlights
- Agile handling and responsive steering
- Strong in-gear acceleration for city driving
- Generous standard equipment for a small EV
- Distinctive styling inside and out
- Low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions
500e lowlights
- Modest outright performance for a hot hatch
- Artificial sound generator divides opinion
- Limited rear passenger space
- Small boot capacity
- Shorter warranty cover than some rivals
Key specifications
Body style: Small three-door hatch and cabriolet
Engines: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £34,195 on-road
Launched: Summer 2023
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA
Image gallery
Media reviews
Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Featured reviews
“Despite looks that are as close to a modern-day interpretation of a Fiat 500 as legislation allows, and an interior that’s well appointed, like the majority of the small electric cars that make the most sense to make the biggest difference, the Abarth 500e simply can’t justify its price tag.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
Read full review
Evo
Stuart Gallagher
“The Abarth 500e is as shouty and fun as you’d expect from the brand, but it does come with the caveat of a notably reduced range.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
Read full review
Carwow
Darren Cassey
More reviews
Auto Express
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“Abarth has injected real charisma and personality into its all-electric 500e hot hatchback. The car is swift rather than fast, but it has impressive road manners considering its upright stance and city car proportions. Add in an excellent cabin, plus the fabulous exterior design transformation, and the 500e feels like one of the most desirable compact hot EVs on the market – even if all that comes at a price.”
Author: Richard Ingram
Read review
Auto Trader
Model reviewed:
Score: 10 / 10
“The Abarth 500e has all the cute, city friendly charm of the source material from Fiat but a dose more attitude with it, thanks to increased performance, chunkier looks and a smattering of Abarth’s distinctive scorpion logo.”
Author: Dan Trent
Read review
Business Car
Model reviewed: Turismo 37kWh
Score: 9 / 10
“In our opinion, the Abarth 500e seems like a car setting a trend. It will be interesting to see how the hot hatch EV segment develops with the next Mini EV hatch due to arrive on the marketplace next year.”
Author: Martyn Collins
Read review
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“With the Abarth 500e, the affluent elite have something pointy and great at low speeds, but the traditional pistonheads, well, they’re left wanting a bit.”
Author: Murray Scullion
Read review
Carbuyer
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Abarth 500e is a feisty electric city car with go-faster add-ons and even a synthesised engine sound to stir the emotions.”
Author: Richard Ingram, Andy Goodwin
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Convertible
“The Abarth 500e Convertible brings the cute-but-savage styling from the old petrol turbo models into the electric car era. It’s fast-car thrills without the guilty conscience, but its range is disappointing.”
Read review
Driving Electric
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Abarth 500e has done enough to whet our appetite for what’s to come, showing us there is plenty for electric-sceptic performance fans to look forward to.”
Author: Richard Ingram
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Green Car Guide
Score: 8 / 10
“Anyone who says that electric cars aren’t fun to drive needs to try the Abarth 500e; very few other EVs offer this much enjoyment through the corners.”
Author: Paul Clarke
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Heycar
Score: 8 / 10
“The Abarth 500e is a pivotal car in the world of electric vehicles. It’s the first electric car we’ve driven that puts pure enjoyment over everything else – forget range figures, outright performance or anything else that gets talked about by people who drive Teslas; the Abarth 500e is all about pure enjoyment, and we really quite like that about it.”
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“If you’re looking for an electric car with a long range, big boot or performance figures you can brag about, look elsewhere. But the little Abarth 500e is packed with personality, and we think it’s a very appealing electric hot hatch.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“As a city car with a bit of added poke and pizzaz, the Abarth 500e really works. The zainy colours look great and there’s a definite injection of fun added when compared to a Fiat 500 Electric.”
Author: Murray Scullion
Read review
The Sunday Times
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Ride, handling, cornering stability and refinement in the Abarth 500e are a huge step up over the 595 and 695 petrol versions. It’s quicker, too, in almost every sense that matters for a compact hot hatch.”
Author: Will Dron
Read review
The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 500e Convertible
Score: 6 / 10
“Abarth’s electric hot hatch convertible is utterly daft in many ways. Despite this – or maybe because of it – it’s great fun.”
Author: Alex Robbins
Read review
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Electric cars with heavy batteries aren’t everyone’s dream, but the tuning expert seems to have achieved the impossible with this Abarth 500e model.”
Author: Andrew English
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Abarth 500e validates the idea of an electric hot hatch. Cheeky and fun, if not overly fast.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2021
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 76%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 67%
Safety assist: 67%
The Abarth 500e shares its safety rating with the Fiat 500 Electric, as the two vehicles are structurally the same.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of February 2026, the Abarth 500e has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Being an electric car, the 500e produces no tailpipe emissions so is likely to score very highly when Green NCAP does test it.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 156 miles | C |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.7 m/KWh | D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 25 | B |
| Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
| Year 1 | £166 | B |
| Year 2 | £386 | A |
| Year 3 | £652 | A |
| Year 4 | £789 | A |
| Year 5 | £1,076 | A |
| Overall | £3,069 | A |
The Abarth 500e isn’t the most efficient electric car on the market, but should still be pretty cheap to run according to data exclusively provided by our commercial partner Clear Vehicle Data.
It’s electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is below the EV market standard, but insurance premiums are pretty affordable considering this is a compact performance car. The 500e also has excellent maintenance and service costs over the first five years of ownership.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of February 2026, we don’t yet have enough reliability data for the Abarth 500e to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the 500e, we’ll publish the score here.
Warranty rating
New car warranty information for the Abarth 500e
| Overall rating | C | 50% |
| New car warranty duration | 3 years |
| New car warranty mileage | 60,000 miles |
| Battery warranty duration | 8 years |
| Battery warranty mileage | 100,000 miles |
Abarth’s new car warranty is pretty much the bare minimum offered in the UK, with a duration of three years and a limit of 60,000 miles. Other rivals in the price bracket do better (and in some cases, much better).
In addition to the standard new car warranty, the 500e has an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery components.
If you’re looking to buy a used car that is approaching the end of its warranty period, a used car warranty is usually a worthwhile investment. Check out The Car Expert’s guide to the best used car warranty providers, which will probably be cheaper than a warranty sold by a dealer.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Abarth 500e
As of February 2026, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Abarth 500e. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.
You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Abarth dealer.
Awards
Trophies, prizes and awards that the Abarth 500e has received.
2023
- The Car Expert Awards – Best Small Car
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Abarth 500e, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Abarth 595 | Abarth 695 | Cupra Born | Fiat 500 Electric | Honda e | Mini Electric
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Abarth 500e at The Car Expert
Buy an Abarth 500e
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Abarth 500e, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease an Abarth 500e
If you’re looking to lease a new Abarth 500e, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carwow. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to an Abarth 500e
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from SelfDrive.
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Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
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Car subscriptions from Just Vehicle Solutions.
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