Great things happen when Italian powerhouses unite. In the case of Fiat and Armani, the 500e Giorgio Armani Edition, a limited variant that celebrates Italian craftsmanship. For an extra $6,000, this fashionable city car wears new wheels with matching GA logos, Armani’s signature on the door sill, C-pillar, and start-up graphics, and GA stitched logos on the headrests. Two exclusive paints are available: Green and Greige, each paired with the corresponding interior colour. Both shades are on-brand and fittingly masculine, and GA is one of the few logos that (almost) work when flipped upside down. Is it worth the premium? Considering you can buy yourself an actual Armani suit with that amount of coin, it’s up for debate, but it certainly livens up the Fiat’s rolling sense of fashion. 

Underneath the nuovo attire is the same skin and bones of the standard Fiat 500e. Equipped with a 400-volt, 42 kWh lithium-ion battery and a front-axle electric motor, the FWD powertrain generates 117 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque through a single-speed transmission. Fiat claims 227 km of range, and while our summer-time review yielded an impressive 234 km, our winter driving gave us only 170 km, as expected due to the below-freezing conditions and extra heating requirements that put additional strain on the batteries. That amounts to 17 km per 10% of battery capacity. How that fits into your driving lifestyle depends on many factors, but if you have access to home charging, the 500e is a viable commuting companion and will work with all charging stations, from Level 1 and 2 to even 3 (DC fast charging). 

Our Fiat rode on Pirelli Cinturato P7 17-inch all-season tires, which performed well in slippery, slushy conditions and even in deep snow. The rubber performed almost like a winter tire, also thanks to the Fiat’s strong, instant torque that let the wheels fire themselves out of any snowy rut. Acceleration is punchy and enough for drivers who aren’t accustomed to the potency of a Toyota GR Corolla or Honda Civic Si. The initial kickdown is strong, but the 500e quickly runs out of breath above 120 km/h, as expected for such a limited powertrain, but it’s an area we seldom explore. The 500e rotates with athleticism thanks to a low center of gravity and without the top-heavy feel that you would expect from a tall hatchback. The ride is layered with an underlying firmness that helps with turn-in and overall body control. The resulting on-road stability and security ensure the steering doesn’t sway or wander about on a windy day. 

The 500e may appear small, but it actually sits higher than a Volkswagen Golf or BMW 3 Series. Thanks to clever packaging and the absence of an engine, the cabin is spacious. With the seats lowered all the way, there is plenty of head- and legroom for my six-foot self. A shame there’s no sunroof option, but the large rear windows brighten the interior with natural light and fend off any feelings of claustrophobia.

The front seating position is better integrated than the outgoing Fiat 500, and it no longer feels like you are sitting on top of the vehicle. The center footwell is free for you to store your bags or play footsies with your passenger, and its close proximity to them means there is no less privacy or elbow room than in a widebody Premium Economy seat. Yet, storage options are aplenty. There is a single cupholder that folds out of the center footwell, along with meaningfully large cubbies in the door pockets and the center console – more than we expected. No front hood storage, though, and don’t expect to fit actual human beings in the rear ‘seats’ – these token thrones are better suited for holding groceries or day bags. 

Overall, the cabin is not as luxurious or well-equipped as that of a MINI Cooper. High-quality leather is lacking, especially for a car with an Armani logo, and the MINI feels leagues more expensive from just the way the Fiat’s hollow doors slam shut like they are just hanging by the hinge, to the excessive lateral wiggle on the center armrest and lower cupholder. This isn’t a new phenomenon for Fiats, let alone the familial Alfas, Dodges, or Jeeps. They all lack that material weight and heft that give each panel some substance. But on the bright side, the Fiat relies less on digital real estate for user interaction and utilizes proper buttons on the center console and steering wheel. The lack of popular features like blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera, or a heated steering wheel is questionable, but also understandable at this price point.

The Fiat 500e is an entertaining and absolutely feasible winter commuter, though we would highly recommend dedicated winter boots should you find yourself commuting in suburban areas that are seldom plowed. Its limited range can be addressed by access to home charging, but even the requirement for more frequent charging sessions fails to dampen its haute-couture charms and its stable, secure, and agile driving behaviour. This Giorgio Armani Edition is undeniably a chic marketing exercise, and can be viewed by cynics as an easy cash grab without substance to back up the style, but Canada’s automotive market sorely lacks idiosyncratic hatchbacks, let alone electric ones, and we’re glad to see them here. Variety is the spice of life, after all.

Specifications:

Model: 2025 Fiat 500e Giorgio Armani Edition
Paint Type: Green
Base Price: $39,995
Price as Tested: $46,590
Wheelbase(mm): 2,322
Length/Width/Height (mm): 3,631 / 1,883 (incl. mirrors) / 1,684
Curb Weight: 1,342 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: 170 km (winter conditions, average 0°C)
Tires: 205/45R17; Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-seasons