Skip advert
Advertisement

New Fiat 500 Action 2021 review

The new all-electric Fiat 500 Action is only available with a smaller 24kWh battery, but is significantly cheaper than the 42kWh model

Fiat 500 Action - front
Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your next car here
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Verdict

If you’re buying the Fiat 500 as a first car, or if it’ll be used as the second in a two-car household, most will find the range of this base-spec Action model absolutely fine. While it misses out on some fancy tech, it’s still easy to drive, and stands out from the city car crowd. Factor in monthly finance payments that comfortably undercut its closest competition, and the new electric version is likely to be just as popular as its petrol predecessor.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Following our first couple of encounters with the latest Fiat 500, the dinky EV has proven to be a huge leap forward over its predecessor, not just in terms of philosophy (ditching the combustion engine seems at its most logical in a car designed for urban areas) but also in terms of ability.

When we tested a higher spec 500 against the MINI Electric and the Honda e, it came out on top. This car can hold its own in the style stakes against two of the most fashionable small cars of the moment, yet for less cash it delivers significantly more range - roughly 170 miles in the real world compared with the 110 miles or so that its rivals can muster.

But what if you don't need that extra range? Fiat allows owners to save even more cash with a smaller battery model. Available in entry-level Action trim only, it opens the range with prices starting from £20,995 including the government’s £2,500 grant for electric vehicles. That’s a full £3,500 cheaper than the next step up, and £5,000 less than the most basic MINI Electric. It’s £50 cheaper than Volkswagen’s smallest electric vehicle, the e-up!.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Grandland X

2021 Vauxhall

Grandland X

26,306 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £14,935
View Grandland X
Corsa

2022 Vauxhall

Corsa

13,951 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £13,995
View Corsa
Mokka

2024 Vauxhall

Mokka

13,703 milesManualPetrol1.2L

Cash £16,695
View Mokka
X-Trail

2019 Nissan

X-Trail

44,979 milesAutomaticDiesel1.8L

Cash £16,700
View X-Trail

So what do you miss for the reduced price tag? Well as it stands, the priciest component in a typical EV is the battery, so to cut costs, Fiat has chopped the capacity down from 42kWh to 24kWh. As a result, the official WLTP range stands at 118 miles (down from 200 miles). Not as versatile as the other variants, then, but it’s still on par with those other style-led but more expensive rivals from MINI and Honda.

The electric motor puts out a little less power too - there's 92bhp here, instead of the 116bhp in other variants. The resulting performance drop off isn’t as much as you might think, though; the smaller battery pack weighs over 100kg less, so the Action’s 0-62mph time of 9.5 seconds is only half a second slower.

Although it doesn’t spring forward with the enthusiasm of some other small EVs, it’s lively enough, and much more nippy than the old petrol 500. Switch to the ‘Sherpa’ driving mode and the 500’s throttle response is softened and the air-conditioning disengaged to boost range. It also increases the strength of brake regeneration - how much charge is put back into the battery when slowing down - so that one-pedal driving can be possible. All of these things help to eke out every last mile of range.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The 500 is unlikely to be the sort of car that will spend much time cornering enthusiastically along a B-road, but it’s reassuring to know that the low centre of gravity that comes with a heavy, low-mounted battery means the handling is stable and secure. What really matters is that thanks to the near-silent powertrain, smooth power delivery and the light steering, it’s an incredibly easy car to drive in town. 

Inside, there’s a big gap on the dashboard where plusher models would feature a touchscreen infotainment system. In its place sits a smartphone cradle so users can securely mount their device and let that take care of all the mapping and media functions. That also means there’s no reversing camera fitted, though at 3.6 metres long and with excellent visibility, there are few cars on sale today that need a camera less.

Buyers can still add a touchscreen if they choose - the £850 Radio Pack adds a seven-inch display with DAB radio, wireless smartphone charging and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A hi-res digital driver’s display is standard and displays all the vital information clearly.

The rest of the cabin still looks special, even if it doesn’t always feel it - there’s a few hard, scratchy plastics around. But this is a city car built to a competitive price, so that’s not a big gripe, especially when most of the switchgear feels suitably chunky, and the design itself is simple, uncluttered and modern. 

The driving position is a little high, there’s no height adjustment for the seat and it’s a shame that there’s no space to rest your redundant left foot. Still, it’s miles ahead of the old 500 ergonomically.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

There are of course downsides to the 500. Tiny dimensions that make it so easy to drive around town also have their drawbacks, which are only magnified by the packaging work needed to cram a battery within its footprint. As a result, the back seats (strictly designed for two, there’s no centre seat here) are tight for both legroom and headroom. At 185 litres, the boot is also quite small.

In both areas, the Volkswagen e-up! is slightly more accommodating - especially because it comes with five doors so it’s easier to get in the back in the first place. Its range is slightly better than the Fiat’s too. 

In other areas, though, it’s not quite at the Fiat’s level. Performance and refinement are areas where the Fiat shines, as is charging. While it lacks the 85kW system of the bigger battery models, the Action can still top up at a rate of 50kW, so it only takes 30 minutes to boost the state of charge from 10-80 per cent. The same level of replenishment through the e-up!’s 30kW system takes 48 minutes.

But the crucial difference between the two is the cost on a monthly finance deal. Strong residual values and a further £950 deposit contribution from Fiat swings things greatly in the 500’s favour. With a £2,000 payment up front from the customer, a three-year PCP deal comes to £251 per month for the 500, compared to £334 for the e-up!.

Model:Fiat 500 Electric Action
Price: £23,495
Battery/Motor:24kWh/single motor
Power/torque: 92bhp/220Nm
Transmission: Single speed, front wheel drive
0-62mph: 9.5 seconds
Top speed: 84 mph
Range: 118 miles
Charging:50kW (30 mins 10-80%)
On sale:Now
Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief reviewer

Alex joined Auto Express as staff writer in early 2018, helping out with news, drives, features, and the occasional sports report. His current role of Chief reviewer sees him head up our road test team, which gives readers the full lowdown on our comparison tests.

New & used car deals

Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £9,908
Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £23,990Avg. savings £1,429 off RRP*
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £4,966 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,912 off RRP*Used from £8,450
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Leapmotor B10 2025 review: budget brand's best EV yet
Leapmotor B10 - front action

New Leapmotor B10 2025 review: budget brand's best EV yet

The new Leapmotor B10 is a serious player in the small electric SUV sector, boasting good range, plenty of kit and a tempting price tag
Road tests
14 Oct 2025
400bhp family SUVs have become common in the EV era, but they're completely pointless
Opinion - Volvo XC40 Recharge

400bhp family SUVs have become common in the EV era, but they're completely pointless

Editor Paul Barker thinks new car firms don't have heritage behind them, so power figures and straight line speed are an easy way to grab headlines
Opinion
15 Oct 2025
New Toyota C-HR+ 2025 review: electric SUV struggles for space
Toyota C-HR+ - front

New Toyota C-HR+ 2025 review: electric SUV struggles for space

The new Toyota CH-R+ has plenty of plus points, but ultimately fails to stand out from the crowded family EV class
Road tests
15 Oct 2025