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Expert Rating

Abarth 500e

(2023 - present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

73
%
A

This model is still new so we don't have a Used Car Expert Rating score yet. Check back soon.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

67
%
C

Safety Rating:

68
%
C

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

88
%
A

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

73
%
A

This model is still new so we don't have a Used Car Expert Rating score yet. Check back soon.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

67
%
C

Safety Rating:

68
%
C

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

88
%
A

Summary


Based on the Fiat 500 Electric, the Abarth 500e is a compact all-electric hot hatch (also available with a roll-back canvas roof) that arrived in the UK in Summer 2023.

As the first performance-focused electric city car to go on sale, the 500e is currently in a class of its own. “Rivals are few and far between”, Parker‘s Murray Scullion explains, “especially ones this size”.

The range-topping Mini Electric and Honda e variants are similar in terms of size and power, but the Abarth claims to be far more agile for greater driving enjoyment. It also promises a longer 186-mile battery range.

“It’s cheeky and fun, if not fast”, the Top Gear team concludes, praising the uprated city car for its engaging driving experience and “quiet and pretty civilised” road manners at cruising speeds, but also pointing out that the Abarth’s 0-62mph sprint time of seven seconds flat is “what you might call toasty rather than searing performance.”

Like Abarth’s hot-hatch versions of the petrol Fiat 500, the Abarth 500e gets sportier looks, bigger wheels, more equipment and upgraded suspension to differentiate it from the regular Fiat version.

While the 500e is quicker off the line, Abarth’s petrol models are faster, and don’t have need for the 500e’s rather controversial sound generator. This sound generator mimics the sound of a petrol car, and is “surprisingly loud both inside and outside the car” according to Carbuyer, which also argues that this system can get quite “tiresome” as there are no volume controls for lower speeds.

As of January 2025, the Abarth 500e holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 73%. It scores top marks for its low running costs and zero tailpipe emissions, although its media review scores and safety rating are only average. It’s also too new for us to have any reliability data.

500e highlights

  • Agile and engaging around town
  • Easy to drive
  • Well-equipped as standard

500e lowlights

  • Petrol Abarth models are more powerful
  • Cramped rear seats
  • Controversial sound generator

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


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Carwow

+

Driving Electric

+

Evo

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Parkers

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

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 January 2025, 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.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

The Abarth 500e is still a new model, so we don’t yet have enough reliability data 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.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models156 milesC150 – 164 milesC – C
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models3.7 m/KWhD3.5 – 3.9 m/KWhC – D
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models25B23 – 26B – B
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£166A
Year 2£386A
Year 3£652A
Year 4£789A
Year 5£1,076A
Overall£3,069A

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.

Recalls


Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Abarth 500e

As of August 2024, 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.

Abarth 500e – Best Small Car – The Car Expert Awards 2024

2023

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

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Best Small Car 2024

Best Small Car 2024

All-electric Abarth 500e ‘Scorpionissima’ to make debut

All-electric Abarth 500e ‘Scorpionissima’ to make debut

Abarth goes electric as 500e hot hatch debuts

Abarth goes electric as 500e hot hatch debuts

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The all-electric Abarth 500e is a nimble performance-enhanced city car with sporty looks and character, but its petrol siblings are faster.Abarth 500e