Fiat 500e 2021 review
Overview
The 2021 Fiat 500e is the one that matters for used EV buyers: a ground-up electric car built on a brand-new platform in Turin, not a petrol 500 converted to run on batteries. Launched in the UK in late 2020 with first deliveries in March 2021, it arrived while the original £3,000 plug-in car grant was still in play, which is why early cars were so keenly priced — the entry-level Action cost just £19,995 including the grant. Five years on, those grant-subsidised cars are filtering through to the used market in quantity — and they are now one of the cheapest routes into a proper, modern electric runabout.
As a used buy, the trim and battery choice changes everything. The entry-level Action came with a 24 kWh battery and a 95PS motor, good for a claimed 115 miles; the vast majority of 500e buyers chose the 42 kWh battery with the 118PS motor, which carries an official 199-mile WLTP figure (185 miles for the cabrio). If you are buying used, hunt for the bigger battery unless your driving is strictly city-based — the 24 kWh cars are rare, cheaper, but genuinely limited to short hops.
What used EV buyers should check is different from a petrol car. Get a battery health report before you buy: early 500e packs were holding up well at around 90–95% capacity after five years in typical UK use, but frequent rapid charging and cars left fully charged for long periods can drag that down. The 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty transfers with the car and covers abnormal degradation, so a 2021 car still carries that safety net until 2029 — confirm the mileage is under the cap and that servicing is up to date, because gaps can complicate warranty claims.
Ownership costs are where the 500e shines. Home charging on a cheap overnight tariff costs a fraction of petrol, servicing is minimal (there is no engine oil, no cambelt, no exhaust), and brake wear is light thanks to regenerative braking. Watch for the usual city-car issues instead: kerbed alloy wheels, scuffed bumpers, and worn interior trim on high-mileage ex-fleet cars. Check that the charging cable and home wallbox (supplied new on La Prima) are present — replacements are not cheap.
UK price from: £19,995
Specifications
| Motor | Electric motor (118 PS / 87 kW) |
| Power | 118 PS |
| Torque | 220 Nm |
| 0-62 mph | 9.0 seconds |
| Top speed | 93 mph |
| Battery | 42 kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | Up to 199 miles |
| Rapid charging | 85 kW DC (0-80% in ~35 mins) |
| Transmission | Single-speed automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Boot space | 185 litres |
| Euro NCAP | 4 stars (2021) |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles (battery: 8 yrs / 100,000 mi) |
Features
- Proper EV from the ground up on a dedicated platform, with the battery under the floor and a low centre of gravity
- 42 kWh battery with an official 199-mile WLTP range, rapid-charging at up to 85 kW on CCS
- Three driving modes — Normal, Range (one-pedal driving) and Sherpa (power-saving for low battery)
- 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on Icon and above
- Full LED exterior lighting and the signature acoustic alert that plays a melody for pedestrians
- Advanced safety kit: autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and Level 2 assisted driving on La Prima
- Compact footprint with a tight 9.3 m turning circle — built for UK city streets and narrow parking spaces
- Also sold as the 500e Cabrio, with a full-length electrically retractable canvas roof
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £29.99 | Pattern part; OEM specification |
| Cabin pollen filter | £14.99 | |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £24.99 | |
| 12V battery | £89.99 | The 500e still needs a conventional 12V battery for its electronics |
| Replacement tyre (each) | £114.99 | Size e.g. 205/40 R17 on higher trims |
| Brake fluid change (garage) | £64.99 | DOT 4, recommended approx every 2 years on EVs; no engine oil or oil filter on an EV |
Pros
- One of the most affordable routes into a genuinely modern used EV in the UK, with heavy early depreciation working in the buyer's favour
- Nippy, characterful and easy to drive around town, with light steering and instant low-speed response
- Cheap to run: cheap home-charging costs, low servicing bills, light brake wear thanks to regenerative braking
- 42 kWh battery warranty (8 years/100,000 miles) still has years left on a 2021 car — a real safety net for used buyers
- Real-world range of roughly 140–160 miles is honest for a city car, and the 185-litre boot is usable for shopping trips
Cons
- Rear seats are cramped and the tailgate step is awkward when the seats are folded — this is not a family car
- Noisy at motorway speeds and the ride can feel choppy on rough UK B-roads; it belongs in the city
- 85 kW rapid charging is slow by modern standards — long trips need patient planning, and the 24 kWh Action trim is city-only
- Some cabin plastics feel cheap up close, and Fiat's historical customer-satisfaction record is only average
