How Much Bigger Is a FIAT 500e Than a Classic FIAT 500?
Think of a classic Mini. What do you immediately picture thereafter (or perhaps even before)? That’s right, the classic FIAT 500 is an old rival to the tenured European microcars of yesteryear. However, like the modern MINI, the 500 has gained size and weight in today’s market. Today, the 2024 FIAT 500e proves just how portly the new EV hatchback is compared to the classic model.
The high-voltage 2024 FIAT 500e is much larger than a classic 500
It’s a welcome sight in the North American market of sober EVs. A rounded, quirky 2024 FIAT 500e. You can’t help but smile a bit when you see one parked next to a sterile, Jetsons-esque Nissan LEAF SV. However, even with diminutive proportions and a retro appeal for today’s market, the new 500e looks monstrous alongside the old FIAT 500.
| Model | Length | Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 500 Nuova | 117 inches | 52 inches | 1,036 lbs |
| 2024 500e | 143 inches | 66 inches | 3,164 lbs |
The most dramatic difference to the eye is the difference in length. According to Edmunds, the all-electric 2024 FIAT 500e is 143 inches from bow to stern. That’s a dramatic 26 inches longer than an old, charming 500 Nuova.
What’s more, the new EV hatchback is 14 inches wider than the classic FIAT 500. While 66 inches doesn’t sound like a dramatic difference from the old model’s 52 inches, it’s noticeable when parked side-by-side. Whether it’s length or width, the 500s of then and now are quite different.
Of course, the differences extend beyond dimensions you can discern with a glance. Specifically, a simple, straightforward 1957 500 Nuova weighs a bit over 1,000 lbs in unladen weight. However, the 2024 FIAT 500e’s all-electric architecture and extra size puts it on the heavier side. Three times the heft, to be precise. That’s right, the 2024 FIAT 500e has a curb weight of around 3,164 lbs.
Still, the 500e isn’t the only modern interpretation of a classic hatchback that gained size over the years. The MINI has also gained length, width, and weight. And, as with the recent FIAT 500L or 500X, the MINI offers longer still four-door variants.
