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Abarth 500e Ultimate Buyers Guide, Everything You Need to Know From Its Reliability, Specs & Lots More

Abarth 500e Ultimate Buyers Guide, Everything You Need to Know From Its Reliability, Specs & Lots More

Date Posted: 01 April 2025

Right, so you have found yourself curious to learn more about the new Abarth 500e – whether it’s the look, the sound, its electric motor or you are just wondering what it’s like to live with as your daily driver – well, you are in the right place.

As in this guide and Abarth 500e Review, you will find it packed with all the top questions you could possibly want to ask about this lively little electric hot hatch.

From how fast it goes to what it’s like inside, how it compares to a Mini Cooper or even a standard Fiat 500e – we have covered it all.

So, whether you are thinking of getting one or just staying in the loop on the latest car news, this is your one-stop shop guide for everything about the Abarth 500e.

So, let's dive in and get you up to speed on this amazing small city car.

500e Abarth parked
yellow Abarth 500e

Top 10 Features of the Abarth 500e

  • It has a fun electric motor that gives you quick acceleration and fast city driving
  • Sporty sound generator makes it roar like a petrol Abarth
  • Big 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Scorpion Street and Track modes allow you to set different driving styles
  • Stylish front seats with sporty stitching and scorpion badges
  • Its small size makes parking and city driving super easy
  • Regenerative braking helps you recharge the battery as you slow down
  • There is a convertible version available for open-air fun
  • Its digital display shows you your range, speed, and power clearly in front of you
  • It also comes with a nice range of colours like Acid Green and Poison Blue - that really do stand out

What kind of car is the Abarth 500e?

The first thing you need to know is what type of car the Abarth 500e actually is. Well, this is a fun and feisty little electric hot hatch.

It is actually based on the standard Fiat 500 Electric but has been given a sporty makeover.

With the famous scorpion badge on the front, it's all about very zippy city driving and spirited sprints in between lights, making it perfect for those who want a small car with extra power and loads of character as it does so in our view.

Exterior of the Abarth 500e

One of the first things we thought from the moment we first saw it is that the Abarth 500e really has been built to stand out in a crowd.

For example, it might be a small car, but it does have a lot of visual attitude – sharp lines, cool colours, and a proper sporty stance that makes you want to drive it before you have even got inside.

So, whether it is parked up or driving past, it does not blend in.

For instance, let us walk you around the outside and check out all the little design touches that make this electric hot hatch so eye-catching.

For instance, to start with, here you have the:

Front

The front of the car looks both bold and cheeky to us, with a wide grille and that famous scorpion badge proudly situated in the centre of the bonnet.

Its LED headlights also give it a modern, slightly aggressive look – and it definitely will turn heads in our view.

Side Profile

From the side, you will notice it keeps the classic Fiat 500 shape, but it’s chunkier and lower than before, with flared wheel arches and unique paint colours like Acid Green really adding to the sporty vibe.

Available Paint Colours

Here, the Abarth 500e can come in 1 of 5 colours, including, for instance:

  • 268 Antidote White
  • 601 Venom Black
  • 111 Adrenaline Red
  • 878 Acid Green
  • 877 Poison Blue
pink abarth 500e
Acid green abarth 500e
Adrenaline Red abarth 500e
Antidote white abarth 500e
Venom black abarth 500e
rear of abarth 500e

Roofline

Moving to the roofline, this slopes gently towards the back of the car, giving you a very stylish and tidy overall finish.

It also keeps that iconic city car silhouette but adds a bit more flair to it at the same time, and yes, there is even a convertible version if you fancy some open-top air as you drive as well.

Rear

Round the back, there is also a bold rear bumper, which gives the car a reassuring chunky stance.

The rear lights here are also sharp and modern, and you will spot the scorpion badge again - plus a few sporty touches that let you know it’s not a regular Abarth 500.

Body and Chassis

Body Style Hatch
Doors 3
Seats 4
Assembly Plant Stabilimento di Mirafiori, Turin, Italy

Wheels

For your wheels, well, we found these to be a proper highlight – bold designs with a sporty edge, and they really fill the arches.

As a result, you will find different styles depending on the trim level you go for, but they all add loads of character to the car’s look as they do so, and we especially liked the 0R4 - 18-inch Diamond Cut Titanium Grey Alloy Wheel which comes as standard as well.

Exterior Key Features

Feature Code Turismo
18-Inch Diamond-Cut Titanium Grey Alloy Wheels 0R4
LED Infinity Headlights 5EM
LED Daytime Running Lights LMZ
LED Rear Lights LAY
Panoramic Fixed Glass Roof 59E
Privacy Glass 070
wheels of Abarth 500e
interior of abarth 500e

Interior

Then when you step inside the Abarth 500e, you will find a cabin that is packed with personality.

For example, it is not just about being sporty – it is also clever, comfy, and surprisingly high-tech for such a little car as well.

From the front seats to the boot space, there’s a lot going on here from our point of view.

So whether you are stuck in traffic or zipping through town, it does feel like a fun place to be, but let us have a proper nose around to help you see if the interior is a place you want to be, shall we?

Interior Key Features

Feature Code Turismo
Premium Sporty Seats with Green Scorpion Design 211
Leather and Alcantara Steering Wheel with Blue Insert 5ZL
Alcantara Wrapped Dashboard 4H0
Centre Armrest and Closed Centre Console 132 + 467
50:50 Split Rear Seats 195
e-Latch Door Button -

Cabin Space

For instance, you have a small car, no doubt, but the cabin feels surprisingly roomy up front.

For example, there is still plenty of space so that 2 tall adults won’t be knocking elbows, and there is also enough space for everyday drives as well, which makes it perfect for city life or short road trips here.

Safety, Security and Driver Assistance

Feature Code Turismo
Autonomous Emergency Braking 7Z6
Traffic Sign Recognition & Intelligent Speed Control 0XR
Lane Keep Assist 9YY
Blind Spot Assist XAN
Driver Behaviour Warning 1CQ
6 Air Bags 500 + 505
Front, Side and Rear Parking Sensors XAH
Rear Back-up Camera 9YN
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System 5YB

Storage

For your storage options, you get a few handy spots for bits and bobs – cup holders, a centre tray, and good-sized door pockets.

It does not have loads of space, but you are not buying this car for that. It does the job nicely for a car of its size, giving you plenty of storage options for your daily items here.

Front Seats

We found the front seats to be properly sporty in design, with lovely stitching and the Abarth scorpion logo stitched into them as well.

You will also find that here, they will hug you a bit when you turn corners, which is a good thing from our point of view, especially in a car like this.

Rear Seats

Let’s be honest – the rear seats are a bit snug, but this is a city car, which a city car isn't.

However, it is more than fine for kids or shorter journeys; adults might feel a bit squashed on longer journeys - but that isn't a surprise if you are looking for cars in this class.

front seats of abarth 500e

Seats and Trim

Option Code 804
Seat Code 211
Material Leather & Alcantara
Colour Black
Dashboard Alcantara
Door Panel Leather Accented
Steering Wheel Leather & Alcantara
Headliner Black

 

infotainment of abarth 500e

Infotainment System and Cluster Display

You will also find that the 10.25-inch touchscreen is also very responsive and easy to use.

Here as well you also get a sharp digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel that clearly shows your speed, range, and drive mode, which is very tidy and modern looking as well.

Audio and Connectivity

Feature Code Turismo
7-Inch TFT Instrument Cluster Display JAL
10.25-Inch Touchscreen Infotainment 29E
DAB+ (Digital Audio Broadcast) RS9
Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ 8EW
JBL 6-Speaker Sound System 4YG
Abarth Sound Generator 31U
3 USB Ports (2xA + 1xC) RTX
Wireless Charging Pad RFX

Boot Space

The boot isn’t huge - it is a city car, after all - but it will hold a suitcase or two, along with your shopping bags and can hold up to 185 litres easily.

That is more than enough for most day-to-day stuff and trips to the supermarket.

If you also fold the rear seats down, you will also get a bit more space to play with as well.

Comfort and Convenience

Feature Code Turismo
6-Way Manual Driver Seat Adjustment JVB
4-Way Manual Passenger Seat Adjustment JWA
Heated Front Seats 452
Climate Control 140
Cruise Control 416
Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror 410
Height Adjustable Steering Wheel 011
Keyless Entry and Keyless Go 9Z0
Automatic Headlights with High Beam System 051 + 1H2
Rain Sensing Windscreen Wipers 347

 

Upholstery

For your upholstery options, you will find a mix of sporty fabrics and nice textures inside, and it feels well put together, with some trim levels offering a bit more flair.

For instance, here you have 2 main options depending on the trim you go for, including, for example:

  • 211 - Premium Sporty Seats with Integrated Headrest and Acid Green Scorpion
    Lasered on Alcantara and Sporty Double Stitching
  • Stop Start Button
  • 18-Inch Diamond-Cut Alloy Wheels
  • LED Infinity Headlights, Daytime Running Lights and Rear Lights
  • Panoramic Fixed Glass Roof
  • Privacy Glass
  • Premium Sporty Seats with Alcantara Embossing
  • Leather and Alcantara Sporty Steering Wheel
  • Heated Front Seats
  • JBL 6-Speaker Sound System
  • Abarth Sound Generator
  • 7-Inch TFT Instrument Cluster Display
  • 10.25-Inch Touchscreen Infotainment with DAB+, Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
  • 3 USB Ports (2xA + 1xC)
  • Wireless Charging Pad
  • Front, Side and Rear Parking Sensors
  • Rear Back-up Camera
  • Blind Spot Assist
  • Autonomous Emergency Braking With Vulnerable Road Users
  • Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Speed Control
  • Lane Keep Assist
  • Driver Behaviour Warning
  • Keyless Entry and Keyless Go
  • Abarth Driving Modes
  • Climate Control
  • Auto Dimming Rearview Mirror
  • Mode 3 Charging Cable

Can you fit four people comfortably in the Abarth 500e?

The back seats – or rear seats – are a bit tight for taller adults, to be honest.

But for shorter trips or younger passengers, they are perfectly fine.

The front seats are also very roomy and comfy, though, and as you can see from above, the boot space is enough for a small weekly shop or a few bags.

Overall, it's a great small car for daily life in our view.

Is the Abarth 500e fully electric or hybrid?

The Abarth 500e is fully electric, and there is no petrol engine at all - which sets it apart from the older petrol Abarth versions.

It is also run purely on electric power, making it the brand's first EV as well.

All in all, in our view, this is a very bold move from the Italian brand and quite exciting if you are after a proper electric Abarth experience and have been a fan of this range for a while as well.

 

Electric Motor
Type Permanent Magnet e-motor
Power 113 kW
Torque 235 Nm
Transmission
Gear Single Speed Reduction Gear
Drive Front Wheel Drive
Performance
0-100 km/h 7.0 s
Max Speed 150 km/h
Efficiency
Certified combined cycle consumption 181 Wh/km
interior of abarth 500e

How far can the Abarth 500e go on a full charge?

In the real world, the Abarth 500e offers a range figure of around 157 to 160 miles on a full charge.

That is because the small battery on this car isn’t huge, but it is well suited for city streets and shorter trips really well, and can still handle longer field drives with a quick 30-minute stop-off at a service station to recharge once the battery is running low.

Performance

Feature Code Turismo
CCS Combo Type 2 Charging Port 07B
Mode 3 Charging Cable 07D
e-Mode Selector with 3 Driving Modes XG8
One Pedal Driving 0TA
Electric Parking Brake XC4
Brake Pedal Regenative Braking -
blue abarth 500e

The Abarth 500e has about 152bhp, which gives it a nice bit of speed when you need it.

That extra power, especially when compared to the standard Fiat 500e, makes a big difference in everyday driving.

Consequently, it is not about raw power like in bigger hot hatches, but for an electric hot hatchback, it hits that sweet spot that most drivers will want between both performance and practicality here.

Here, thanks to the clever sound system and sound generator, the Abarth 500e mimics the noise of a classic petrol car - something that a lot of people miss when they make a move to electric - as electric cars don't have a sound that comes from the engine - nor their running costs either.

The Abarth 500e is front-wheel drive, just like the standard Fiat 500e.

That setup especially suits its size and keeps things light and playful here.

As a result, it really is not built for off-roading but for city driving and twisty roads, especially as the front-wheel drive and clever weight distribution do a brilliant job of keeping it sharp and agile as well.

Absolutely in view, regardless of whether you are looking at it for your daily driver or on the test track, there is something you will love about this car.

It’s got a lovely chuckable feel on city streets and back roads, and its electric motor gives it an instant pull, all while the steering wheel feels responsive.

Even at lower speeds, the driving experience is very lively and full of character, and it really lives up to the Abarth name in terms of fun and flair as well.

While it’s heavier than a petrol Abarth, it makes up for it with a lower centre of gravity and better torque delivery.

It has a different feel, for sure, but it is still very enjoyable.

Its weight distribution has also been balanced nicely, and its handling is tight and focused, just like you would hope from an Abarth car.

It’s one of the best cars for city driving and, in fact, was named Best New Small Car by the Car Expert.

This is due to its small size, quick steering, and responsive electric power, all of which makes it perfect for tight spaces and busy roads.

Plus, when you factor in its good visibility and a neat rear window, parking really is a breeze.

So, if you are after your first EV or just a fun city car to drive, this one’s a good way to go, in our opinion.

Among small electric cars like the MG4 XPower, Ford Fiesta, Honda e, New Renault 5 Turbo, Hyundai Ioniq, Volkswagen ID models, and even the Nissan LEAF, the Abarth 500e stands out a lot for its personality.

It also stands out due to it being a city electric hot hatch.

Compared to the Mini Cooper or Mini Electric, the Abarth 500e feels a bit more playful.

The Mini may have a slightly nicer interior, which can be subjective, but the Abarth version is all about the daily drive.

It’s louder, more expressive, and definitely has more attitude – especially with colours like Acid Green and Poison Blue paint on offer.

The old petrol Abarth 595 and Turismo versions are punchier in some ways but noisier, too – for better or worse.

The electric Abarth, therefore, brings a cleaner and quieter experience while keeping the Abarth fun to drive in the process.

The new Abarth 500e also feels like a fresh start but still carries the legacy of Carlo Abarth’s original dream of exciting small cars with it as well.

Well, where do we start here?

The base car – the Fiat 500 Electric – is lovely and chilled, but the Abarth version turns everything up a notch. More power, better suspension, and a completely different feel from the steering wheel down to the rear bumper.

If the Fiat is a calm cruiser, the Abarth is its feisty cousin. Both are great but for different moods.

The Abarth version, for example, has more electric motor power, stiffer springs, and a sporty body style.

Overall, it is not just about looks – it is about the feel.

It’s louder, too, thanks to the sound generator and external speaker, and you will also notice the Scorpion Street and Scorpion Track drive modes as well as its Normal mode, which is ideal when you are travelling at low speeds - while the others bring way more fun to every journey due to these and are especially useful when you are at motorway speeds, or you decide you want to try it out on the track.

abarth 500e

Dimensions Compared to Other Cars

Model Length (mm) Width (mm) Height (mm) Wheelbase (mm) Boot Capacity (litres)
Abarth 500e 3,673 1,682 1,518 2,322 185
MINI Electric 3,850 1,727 1,432 2,495 211
Abarth 595 3,657 1,627 1,485 2,300 185
Fiat 500e 3,632 1,683 1,527 2,322 185

Should you consider the convertible version?

If you love open-top motoring, the convertible version of the Abarth 500e is a treat for you to consider here.

For instance, it keeps the same electric power and sporty feel but adds a bit of extra flair to your drive as well.

It is also great on a sunny day and turns heads wherever it goes as well.

Just remember, the boot space might be a touch smaller due to the folding roof, though.

Is there a limited edition Abarth 500?

Yes, there is; here you have the Limited Edition Abarth Scorpionissima.

With only 1,949 vehicles produced, the Limited Edition Scorpionissima model comes with exclusive ‘Abarth’ body side decals and a digital certificate of authenticity.

Dimensions

For its dimensions, here you have, for example:

Capacities and Weights

Tare Vehicle Mass (kg) 1,335
Boot Space 185L

Performance

Acceleration (0–100 km/h) 7.0 s
Maximum Speed (km/h) 150

Steering

Type Electric Power Steering
Kerb to Kerb Turning Circle (m) 9.4

Brakes

Front - Type Disc
Front - Diameter (mm) 281 x 26
Rear - Type Disc
Rear - Diameter (mm) 278 x 12

Core Dimensions

Length (mm) 3,673
Width (mm) 1,682
Height (mm) 1,518
Wheelbase (mm) 2,322
Front Track (mm) 1,475
Rear Track (mm) 1,465

Wheels and Tyres

Wheel Type Alloy
Wheel Size (Inches) 18-Inch
Front Tyre Size 205/40 R18
Rear Tyre Size 205/40 R18
Fix & Go Tyre Repair Kit

Suspension

Front Type MacPherson Strut
Rear Type Twist Beam

Warranty and Service

Vehicle Warranty 3 Year / 150,000 km
Battery Warranty 8 Year / 160,000 km
Roadside Assist 3 years

Insurance Groups

For your insurance groups, here you have:

Model Insurance Group
Abarth 500e Base 29
Abarth 500e Scorpionissima 31
Fiat 500e (for comparison) 20–23
Abarth 595 (petrol) 26–34

So is the Abarth 500e Right For You?

As you can see, The Abarth 500e is a cracking little electric hot hatch.

It’s not for everyone, but if you want something that’s fun, bold, and very different from the usual hybrid cars or family cars, it’s worth a look.

From Top Gear Magazine to CAR Magazine, it's been getting rave road tests, and we have to admit the same.

All in all, this is a proper standout from an Italian brand that knows how to have fun.

Test Drive the Abarth 500e

Like what you read and see and want to experience the Abarth 500e firsthand, then book a test drive in one of our test cars at one of our local car dealerships today to experience the car firsthand.

If you liked our Abarth 500e new car review, then you may like some of our other car news, latest reviews, and guides, such as, for instance:

Who is Sherwood's Motor Group

Here at Sherwoods Motor Group, we are a well-established car dealership group located in the North East of England with locations in Durham, Newcastle, and Sunderland.

As a result, we can offer you a wide selection of new car deals and used cars, along with a good electric range with some nice real-world ranges, along with other cars from leading brands such as Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall, and more and part exchange options as well.

In addition to our car sales, we can provide you with a range of services, including vehicle maintenance, MOTs, and repairs.

As an authorised dealer and one that is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), here at Sherwoods Motor, we can ensure that our customers receive high-quality, reliable services with official parts and warranty options as well.

We also cater to both individual customers and businesses, offering flexible finance options, leasing deals and a range of after-sales services as well.

All-in-all, here at the Sherwoods Motor Group, we have built a reputation over the years for our customer service and comprehensive vehicle support, making us a go-to dealership for motorists in the area as a result.

So contact us today if we can help you; we are here to help.

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