Abarth 600e review

Our opinion on the Abarth 600e

There’s a lot to like in the Abarth 600e. A rather brash, somewhat juvenile character is the brand’s calling card and it has this in spades, plus there’s just enough performance to warrant its wacky styling. Considering it shares its platform and drivetrain with the more mature Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, Abarth has done well to give the 600e its own flavour, with a harder-edged ride and more aggressive set-up. But the poor range is a concern, as are – to a lesser extent – the interior quality and practicality. 

About the Abarth 600e

Abarth celebrated its 75th anniversary last year and perhaps at no point during that time has the brand been through such a pivotal change as it’s going through now. With the petrol-powered Abarth 595 and 695 having been laid to rest, Abarth has gone all-electric. The Italian firm launched its variant of the 500e in 2023 and now it’s had a crack at the 600e, too, which is the company’s most powerful road car ever.

Based on the Fiat 600e, the Abarth 600e sits on the same e-CMP2 platform as other small electric cars, such as the Alfa Romeo Junior, Jeep Avenger, Peugeot E-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka Electric. But Abarth has tweaked the architecture so much that it’s gained a new ‘Perfo-eCMP’ name. 

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Apart from the eye-catching bodywork, the most notable difference between the Abarth and the Fiat is the power. A new electric motor – shared with the Alfa Junior Veloce  – produces 235bhp in the standard Abarth 600e, or 276bhp (and 345Nm of torque) in the limited-edition 600e Scorpionissima. Both use a 54kWh battery, which offers up to 207 miles of range.

To help ensure the Abarth is capable of using that extra power, a Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential has been added. It’s similar to the one in the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce, only it’s even more aggressive here. There’s also a new brake system that’s designed to offer better fade resistance and heat distribution, plus liquid cooling for the battery and 20-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels that are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres. The suspension and anti-roll bars are stiffer, too, while the car’s track has been widened by 30mm up front and 25mm at the rear. 

Available to order now, the less-powerful version of the Abarth 600e starts at £36,975. That’s about £4,000 more than the Fiat it’s based on, and a little more than the MG4 XPower, which also has more power and all-wheel drive. However, the Abarth is available for nearly £2,500 less than the recently updated VW Golf GTI. 

Standard kit on the base model includes a 10.25-inch central touchscreen, a seven-inch digital driver’s display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-way adjustable Sabelt sports seats, keyless go and a few safety systems. However, it is slightly disappointing that some rather basic equipment such as a rear-view camera, a heated windscreen, sat-nav and cruise control aren’t fitted on the base Abarth 600e. 

To get any of that, and the more powerful e-motor, you have to go for the 600e Scorpionissima that costs from £39,875. This version was first announced with a £41,975 price tag, although it was reduced in early 2025 to allow it to duck in under the £40k ‘luxury-car tax’ threshold, which from 1 April 2025 will be expanded to include electric cars.The Scorpionissima also features more serious-looking bucket seats, extra driver-assistance tech, a wireless smartphone charging pad and a ‘sound generator’, just like you get on the Abarth 500e. It’s designed to mimic the exhaust note of the brand’s petrol-powered models. 

Only 1,949 examples of the 600e Scorpionissima will be produced, as a nod to the year Abarth was founded. But we wouldn’t be surprised if a model with the same trimmings remains part of the line-up after the limited run is over, if customer demand for this particular version is high enough.

When it comes to fast and fun EVs, single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual (or even tri and quad-) motor all-wheel-drive powertrains have so far provided the entertainment, with front-wheel-drive models all too often getting lost in a dismal state of floundering torque steer.

Abarth already has the front-wheel-drive 500e, but the 600e is looking to take on both sporty EVs and – according to the brand – the likes of traditional hot hatches, such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST.

Apart from the eye-catching bodywork, the most notable difference between the Abarth and the Fiat is the power. A new electric motor – shared with the Alfa Junior Veloce – produces 235bhp in the standard 600e, or 276bhp (and 345Nm of torque) in the limited-edition 600e Scorpionissima. Both use a 54kWh battery, which offers up to 207 miles of range.

The standard 235bhp Abarth 600e, meanwhile, offers the same torque, with 0-62mph taking 6.2 seconds. In the real world the two cars’ acceleration feels virtually identical. Power delivery is pretty linear, although that instant shove of torque tails off slightly at high speeds.

You won’t get that power if you’re in the base Turismo drive mode, however, because this is restricted to 148bhp in the standard model and 188bhp in the Scorpionissima, with torque pegged to 300Nm. This is meant to give smoother acceleration to save range, and it works to a degree. Scorpion Street mode is slightly more sporty, with 201bhp in the regular 600e and 223bhp in the Scorpionissima, along with the full 345Nm of torque.

If you want to unlock the Abarth’s full potential, then you need to stick it in Scorpion Track mode, which also adds more aggressive accelerator pedal calibration, a ‘sport+’ steering calibration and ‘fun’ tuning for the stability control system. 

Although the car has the same basic underpinnings as the mild-mannered Fiat 600e, the Abarth immediately feels more serious, thanks to its stiff suspension and keen throttle response. 

There’s a Torsen limited-slip differential in the Abarth and it does noticeably distribute torque to the inside wheel in bends to help put power down – delivering a surprising amount of grip on corner exit, provided your right foot isn’t too heavy. The steering is best in Scorpion Track mode, although off centre it’ll still feel a little busy. There’s a decent amount of feedback, however. 

While petrol-powered Abarths have previously used Brembo brakes, for the 600e the brand sought the help of British firm Alcon. On the front axle, there are big 380mm discs with four-piston monoblock calipers, delivering huge stopping power when you slam on the brake pedal. Try to modulate the brakes, however, and occasionally you’ll notice a lack of initial bite. We felt ourselves pressing particularly hard before the car really started to slow, and would certainly prefer a firmer brake pedal. 

Performance, 0-60mph acceleration and top speed

The Abarth 600e comes with 235bhp or 276bhp, but both electric motors are the same - just in two different states of tune. The acceleration figures are fairly close with the less powerful version taking 6.2 seconds and the more powerful ‘Scorpionissima’ model taking 5.8 seconds to cover the 0-62mph sprint. Top speed is also the same between the two cars and aside from a little more initial punch from the Scorpionissima, we found the way they accelerated in a straight line is also pretty similar. 

Town driving, visibility and parking

Despite being incredibly nippy around town, thankfully the steering settles down at speed, although road noise and tyre roar are noticeable. The firm suspension feels less resolved at low speeds, because the tyre’s thin sidewalls and 20-inch wheels make a meal of most potholes. You might think those seats would have you sit low down in the cabin, although visibility is still great thanks to the 600e’s crossover body. 

B-road driving and handling 

In corners, there’s very little body roll and overall, it feels unfazed by quick changes in direction through very tight hairpins. Push hard into a corner and the front Michelin tyres will respond with understeer, although it’s communicated well and is easy to manipulate.

Motorway driving and long-distance comfort

If you’re in the market for a family-orientated electric crossover, the Abarth 600e won’t be as accommodating as its mild-mannered Fiat 600e sibling. Out of all the sporty crossovers we’ve driven - electric or not – the Abarth’s suspension is one of the firmest. With those large wheels and rather aggressive bucket seats (which aren’t sufficiently supportive for six-footers), you might wince at the idea of a long journey. The car can fidget over rough roads, but weirdly the Abarth sometimes feels more compliant than you expect. 

Expert view, on driving experience

“Abarth should get some plaudits for turning the rather hum-drum 600e into a rather exciting hot crossover. It’s not the most refined model, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously and we like it for that.” - Alastair Crooks, Senior News Reporter, who spent a few days and a few hundred miles with the regular Abarth 600e and the Scorpionissima. 

Electric range, battery life and charge time

The Abarth 600e is only available with a 54kWh battery, which supposedly is enough for a range of up to 207 miles on a single charge. That’s nearly 50 miles less than in the standard Fiat 600e, but to be expected with the heavy performance focus of the Abarth.

Of course, like all official range figures, you’d have to be driving the car in ideal weather conditions and presumably in the power-restricting ‘Turismo’ mode in order to go 207 miles before the battery is flat. Drive the 600e faster and harder to carve up country roads, and you’ll need to plug it in a lot sooner.

We drove the Abarth on long motorway cruises, in urban environments and on our favourite B-roads, and the difference in efficiency between these is quite startling. 

On a long cruise at 70mph, the Abarth is horrifically inefficient. Setting off at 100 per cent, with the car showing 208 miles of range, after just 108 miles on mostly dual-carriageways and motorways we were left with 22 miles available after achieving 2.7 miles per kWh. A whopping 78 miles of range had seemingly been lost in the ether. 

Take on some B-roads and the Abarth is more efficient with its battery than you might expect - handy considering this is where you’d want to drive it the most. Around town is where the Abarth will get closest to its 207-mile range peak.

When the battery is running low on juice, the Abarth 600e has a maximum charging speed of 100kW, so can be topped up from 20 to 80 per cent in less than half an hour. Alternatively, fully replenishing the battery using a standard 7.4kW home wallbox charger will take about eight hours.

Insurance groups

The insurance on an Abarth 600e will obviously cost more than the less powerful, less expensive Fiat model, with groups of 35 and 36 for the standard and Scorpionissima models respectively. That’s one group higher than the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce (which uses the same body and powertrain), although the Scorpionissima sits 5 groups lower than the more powerful and more premium Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance. 

Tax

When the Abarth 600e was announced in the UK, we saw the range-topping Scorpionissima model priced at more than £40,000 - which would’ve made it subject to the new £40k ‘luxury-car tax’ threshold. Abarth quickly amending the price tag to less than £40,000 for that model means owners will only have to pay a first year rate of £10 with a £195 yearly standard charge after this. 

Depreciation

Given this is an all-new model in unknown territory for Abarth, it’s difficult to gauge how the 600e will hold on to its value – although the 500e gives us an inkling. The Abarth 500e retains an average of 48 per cent after three years and 36,000 miles, while the petrol Abarth 595 will keep 52 per cent of its original price. The added practicality of the 600e’s body might mean it holds residual values better, thanks to a broader customer base, however. 

The visual cues might not appeal to all, but for some the Abarth will claw back some points here. It’s around 200mm wider than its Alfa Junior Veloce cousin, although on the road, what really catches the eye isn’t its width or stance, but the fantastically mad bodykit.

The inspiration for the 600e comes from the Abarth 850 TC race car of the sixties, and the very blocky front bumper has been shaped to emulate the one on that car with a ‘TC’ emblem on the squared-off rear bumper. Similarly, the large roof spoiler (which mirrors the diffuser) is supposed to be an homage to the racer, which essentially had its engine cover fixed open, to act as a spoiler. 

20-inch rims with hub caps meant to mimic centre-lock wheels, and some very vivid paint options such as Acid Green and Hypnotic Purple certainly draw attention, too. 

The interior has also received some sporty touches, although overall it’s more staid than you might expect given the crazy exterior. The decently sized steering wheel is wrapped in leather and Alcantara, and feels great to hold. 

Interior and dashboard design

The much more aggressive bucket seats you get in the Scorpionissima model look great and can accommodate wider individuals without them feeling hemmed in. However the higher-spec model also has the slogan ‘mind the scorpion’ dotted around the cabin, which probably won’t evoke any fear in your passengers; it’ll probably just make them laugh because it sounds too polite and like a rip-off of the ‘mind the gap’ announcement from the London Underground.

Materials and build quality 

There are also aluminium pedals, plus lots of neon green stitching and upgraded, more supportive seats from Sabelt. However, it doesn’t look and feel that much different to the standard Fiat, or particularly special for that matter. It doesn’t help that lots of surfaces, particularly the doors, are made from dull black plastic and there’s an office carpet-like headlining material.

Infotainment, sat-nav and stereo

Abarth has added its own graphics to the seven-inch driver’s display and 10.25-inch central touchscreen, and given it some performance pages for recording lap times, how much torque is being sent to the front wheels, and gauges for battery temperature, among other information. There’s even a G-force metre to let you know how much cornering, acceleration and braking force has been applied. Abarth has learned from customer feedback of the 500e – where you couldn’t turn the augmented engine noise off while moving – because in the 600e Scorpionissima you can switch the sound generator on or off on the move. 

The infotainment system is easy enough to navigate, helped by the physical shortcut buttons for home and the driver-assistance menu, and there’s a row of physical climate controls as well. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto feature as standard, too. The ride being so shaky however does mean it can be difficult to input commands into the touchscreen accurately. 

Expert view, on design

“During my time with the car, the 600e’s design drew what I think was generally the correct response, with some people loving the in-your-face approach and some hating it.” - Alastair Crooks, Senior News Reporter, who spent a few days and a few hundred miles with the regular Abarth 600e and the Scorpionissima. 

One of the appeals of a traditional hot hatch is the combination of exciting driving dynamics with everyday practicality. The 600e, on the other hand, offers great handling, but is sorely lacking in practicality. However, that’s not surprising, because the Fiat 600e is far from the most spacious car in its class.

The back of the 600e is also quite barren because the only amenity on offer is a single USB-C charging port; there are no cup-holders, door bins or even a pocket on the backs of the front seats. The rear doors are also chock full of scratchy plastics. The 600e does at least have two sets of ISOFIX child-seat mounting points in the back, and another up front.

Dimensions and size

The Abarth 600e is slightly longer and wider than its Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce sibling, but it’s lower, too, so the Abarth certainly has more of an air of hot hatch rather than small SUV about it. The Abarth’s rounded body also helps give it a sporting stance.

Driving position, seats & space in the front

Front occupants are well catered for in the 600e, with plenty of headroom. The central armrest is comically small and set too far back, however, and below it the cavernous cup-holders are only suitable for tall slender bottles – put a hot cup of coffee down there and it’s a struggle to retrieve it in one piece. 

Seats & space in the back

Rear legroom is the biggest issue – because there really isn’t much back there. Not if there is anyone approaching six-foot tall sitting up front anyway, and even if you push their seat forward to try and make space, neither person is very happy. The cabin isn’t very wide, either, and there’s a large hump in the floor, making it feel generally quite cramped.

Boot space

Despite sharing the same platform, the Abarth’s 360-litre boot is 40 litres smaller than the Alfa’s. It’s also smaller than a Golf GTI’s and Cupra Born’s, although there’s a removable floor and a couple of handy hooks. The rear seats also fold in a 60:40 split for a maximum 1,231-litre load bay capacity, although they don’t quite fold completely flat. 

Expert view, on practicality

“For a car that is based on a family-orientated crossover, it’s somewhat amazing how impractical the Abarth is in some areas. The layout of the cubbyholes in the cabin aren’t great and rear legroom is atrocious.” - Alastair Crooks, Senior News Reporter, who spent a few days and a few hundred miles with the regular Abarth 600e and the Scorpionissima. 

The Abarth 600e doesn’t have a crash safety rating from industry experts Euro NCAP, because they haven’t tested the Fiat 600e it’s based on. Both cars are also too new to have featured in our most recent Driver Power owner satisfaction survey. However, based on feedback from Fiat owners, that brand came in 31st (out of 32) in our best car manufacturer rankings in 2024. MG was the only one it managed to beat.

In terms of safety kit, the base Abarth 600e is equipped with lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, drowsy-driver detection, autonomous emergency braking and parking sensors all around the car.

The pricier 600e Scorpionissima features more advanced driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control that combines with lane centering and traffic-jam assist to provide Level 2 autonomous capabilities. This version also comes with blind-spot detection, a rear-view camera and traffic-sign recognition. To fiddle with the safety features you have to enter the touchscreen, but after a few goes you’ll find this is easy to do (it resets each time). 

Buying and owning

• Best buy: Abarth 600e Scorpionissima

Before the range-topping Scorpionissima’s price reduction we’d have recommended the base-level 235bhp model. A gap of around £3,000 isn’t insignificant and on the outside at least the two look identical. But we’d pay the premium for some of the Scorpionissima’s extra features, the bump in power and those sportier seats. In keeping with the overall vibe of the Abarth, we’d definitely go for the purple or bright green launch colours, too. 

Alternatives

There are countless rivals to the Abarth 600e. The most obvious are other hot electric family cars, such as the Cupra Born VZ and Volkswagen ID.3 GTX, which offer more power, range and cabin space, plus they’re rear-wheel drive. However, both are considerably more expensive, starting from around £45k. The closest match to the Abarth on price is the MG4 XPower, which has 429bhp and all-wheel drive. 

There’s also the 600e’s sister car, the Alfa Romeo Junior, to consider. We found it was great to drive and has a bespoke interior, plus it’s available with either 154bhp for less than £34,000, or the same 275bhp as the Abarth for just over £42k - nearly the same as the 600e.

Of course, there are still some petrol-powered hot hatchbacks on the market, such as the VW Golf GTI or Ford Focus ST, plus hot small SUVs including the Ford Puma ST and Cupra Formentor.

Abarth 600e pictures

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