At $39,995, the Fiat 500e is one of the few electric vehicles available in Canada for less than $40,000, although it faces increasingly stiff competition from the Tesla Model 3 RWD ($39,490) and Kia EV4 Light FWD ($38,995), not to mention the incoming wave of Chinese EVs from brands such as BYD and Jaecoo. Dealer incentives and government rebates make the 500e considerably more attractive, and we’ve seen new models listed under $30,000. At that price, its mediocre 227 km range and compact proportions become easier to overlook. The 500e can now access Tesla’s V3 and V4 Supercharger network with an optional NACS adapter, helping to alleviate some of that range anxiety. Driving with an iron-clad will of restraint, we even managed 235 km from a full charge in summertime conditions.
That said, Fiat’s sole Canadian offering remains a decidedly niche proposition, with limited seating and precious little cargo space. Smaller than both the MINI Cooper and Chevrolet Bolt, the 500e seems tailor-made for the narrow, cobbled streets of Paris or Rome, but looks comically petite commuting with Canada’s lifted pickups and three-row SUVs on generously proportioned roadways. Fiat doesn’t offer the even smaller Topolino microcar here, which isn’t surprising given our harsh climate and overall penchant for SUVs.
Despite its diminutive size, the 500e is a head-turner wherever it goes, its cute and playful styling giving it an unmistakable presence. It’s a success story in marrying retro-style looks with modern aesthetics, becoming as much of an automotive appliance as it is a fashion accessory, and it stands out even more when parked amid today’s increasingly homogeneous crop of EVs, and the particularly bland and generic shapes arriving from overseas.
Paint colour strongly dictates the Fiat’s personality, and our Ocean Green struck a masculine, mischievous, and almost whimsical pose, taking on richer shades of blue and indigo when caught in the glow of the setting sun. Miami Sunset and Rose Gold would be our other picks for a visually playful character.
Fiat’s simplified pricing comes with an equally simplified playbook, leaving little room for the customization and personalization available with the MINI Cooper. There’s just one 17-inch wheel design and the choice between black or beige interior seats. The dashboard and door inserts are colour-matched to the exterior paint, much like the Mazda MX-5 and Jeep Wrangler, but beyond that, the restrictive options leave little to the imagination.
Nevertheless, the 500e is cleverly packaged, making impressive use of its compact dimensions. It may look tiny from the outside, but its tall stance gives it a surprisingly airy cabin, with the roofline sitting higher than that of a BMW 3 Series. At six feet tall, I had generous headroom and legroom, with roughly four inches of clearance between my hair and the headliner. That bodes well for a potential convertible, although it’s unfortunate that the 500e doesn’t offer a sunroof.
The driving position is better integrated into the cabin than in the previous-generation model, where it felt more like you were perched on top of the car. With no conventional gearbox occupying the centre tunnel, the 500e frees up useful footwell space for grocery bags. Storage options are surprisingly plentiful for such a small car, with a fold-out cupholder in the centre footwell, useful door pockets, and a reasonably accommodating centre console. There’s no front trunk, however, and the rear seats are best considered supplementary storage rather than genuine seating. They’re perfectly adequate for groceries or a couple of day bags, but asking actual adults to sit back there would be an exercise in optimism.
To our delight, the 500e retains a healthy assortment of physical buttons, dials, and switches. We were actually surprised Fiat didn’t go the other way and consolidate the infotainment and climate controls into the 10.25-inch centre touchscreen, which would have freed up space and given the cabin a more minimalist appearance. Instead, the steering wheel is festooned with clickable switchgear, while the functionality of the touchscreen itself puts it ahead of the systems found in several Honda and Toyota products we’ve recently tested. Stellantis has long understood that connectivity shouldn’t come at the expense of usability, and the 500e is further proof.
Creativity hasn’t been overlooked, either. Like the Jeep Wrangler, the 500e is sprinkled with thoughtful Easter eggs that reward closer inspection: a hidden ‘Made in Torino’ badge featuring a vintage Fiat is tucked inside the door handle, the Turin skyline is etched into the wireless charging pad, and hidden FIAT logos are woven into the seat cushions. Even the startup sequence has a sense of humour by serenading you with a brief lullaby.
The 500e uses a 400-volt, 42 kWh lithium-ion battery feeding a front-mounted electric motor with 117 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque through a single-speed transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, while Fiat has yet to confirm whether the spicier Abarth or convertible variants will make their way to Canada. Acceleration is punchy enough to make short work of high-speed on-ramps, and the 500e doesn’t run out of enthusiasm even beyond 130 km/h.
Its compact footprint and low-mounted battery make the 500e athletic and highly maneuverable. Despite its tall hatchback proportions, there’s little of the top-heavy sensation you might expect, while a layer of underlying firmness to the suspension keeps body movements in check and gives the car a willingness to change direction. It isn’t immune to weight transfer, however, pitching noticeably under heavy braking. The brake pedal could also use more progressive response, becoming difficult to modulate once past roughly 50 percent of its travel.
Canada’s broad roads, expansive highways, and sprawling suburban streets aren’t exactly the natural habitat of the 500e, whose stunted footprint makes far more sense in the tight, winding corridors of Europe. Even so, the Fiat is surprisingly composed at triple-digit speeds. Aerodynamic turbulence created by passing or following a lorry can unsettle it, occasionally nudging the steering from side to side, but the reactions are predictable and easily corrected. You never get the sense that the 500e is about to be blown off course, although it is noticeably more susceptible to crosswinds than a Volkswagen Golf or Toyota Corolla.
The Fiat 500e may look like an outlier on Canadian roads due to its rarity, limited practicality, and uncommonly fashionable appearance, but at just under $40,000, it remains one of the more compelling ways to enter the electric space, provided its size and range align with your lifestyle. Its electric rivals surpass it on every metric, yet none match the 500e’s cheerful personality and playful character. It’s the happiest EV on the road, and will only stand out more as the EV landscape becomes even more homogeneous.
Specifications:
Model: 2026 Fiat 500e Pop
Paint Type: Ocean Green
Base Price: $39,995
Price as Tested: $40,690
Wheelbase(mm): 2,322
Length/Width/Height (mm): 3,631 / 1,883 (incl. mirrors) / 1,684
Weight: 1,361 kg
Powertrain: 42.0 kWh lithium-ion battery, single electric motor
Horsepower: 117 hp
Torque: 162 lb-ft
Transmission: Single-speed transmission
Engine & Drive Configuration: Front-mounted electric motors, FWD
Claimed Electric Range: 227 km
Observed Electric Range: 235 km
Tires: 205/45R17; Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-seasons
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