Fiat is the industrial giant of Italy, but in America, it is a boutique brand. After leaving the US in 1983, they returned in 2011 with the retro 500. Known for style over size, Fiat proves that you don't need a V8 to have fun, even if the "Fix It Again, Tony" reputation still lingers in the minds of skeptical mechanics.
Explore the current production vehicles.
The car that brought Italian charm back to America. The modern 500 was a masterpiece of retro design, a tiny, charismatic, and fun-to-drive city car. The scorpion-badged Abarth version was a snarling, turbocharged pocket rocket.
The future of Italian style, electrified. The all-new 500e is a sophisticated and charming city car, blending the iconic design of the original with a zero-emissions powertrain. It's designed to bring a dose of 'La Dolce Vita' to the electric era.
The stylish and capable all-wheel-drive crossover. The 500X takes the cheeky charm of the 500 and applies it to a larger, more versatile package, offering a touch of Italian flair and a fun-to-drive spirit in the competitive small SUV segment.
The 'Fiata.' A stunning collaboration that blended the brilliant chassis of the Mazda Miata with a torquey Italian turbocharged engine and beautiful retro styling. The Abarth version, with its snarling exhaust, was a true enthusiast's delight.
The quirky and incredibly spacious multi-purpose vehicle. The 500L was designed to maximize interior room, offering a cavernous, panoramic cabin in a surprisingly small footprint. It was a unique and practical choice for families who dared to be different.
The icon. The legend. The tiny car that put post-war Italy on wheels. The original Cinquecento is a masterpiece of minimalist design and clever engineering, a beloved symbol of Italian culture, freedom, and the 'sweet life.' A true automotive giant.
The beautiful and timeless Italian roadster that captured America's heart for nearly 20 years. Designed by Pininfarina, the 124 Sport Spider offered a pure, open-air driving experience with a high-revving twin-cam engine. A true classic.
A futuristic, targa-topped, mid-engine sports car for the people. The X1/9 was a masterpiece of Bertone design, a perfectly balanced and incredibly fun-to-drive machine that brought the exotic layout of a supercar to the masses. A beloved cult classic.
A tiny, charming, and achingly beautiful roadster from the swinging 60s. Designed by a young Giorgetto Giugiaro at Bertone, the rear-engine 850 Spider was a masterpiece of small-car packaging and represented the pinnacle of carefree Italian style.
The infamous but brilliantly innovative six-seat MPV. The original Multipla is a legend of quirky design, with its 'dolphin' styling and unique three-abreast seating in two rows. It was an incredibly clever and spacious family car, if you could embrace its looks.
The unstoppable, go-anywhere city car. While never officially sold in the US, the Panda 4x4 is a global cult classic, a tiny, lightweight, and incredibly capable mountain goat of a car that has a huge and passionate following among enthusiasts.
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Letâs get the elephant out of the room immediately. In the United States, F.I.A.T. has long been joked to stand for "Fix It Again, Tony."
Fiat left the US market in 1983 because their cars rusted instantly and broke constantly. When they returned in 2011, they promised things had changed. While modern Fiats are certainly better than their 1970s ancestors, they still consistently rank near the bottom of reliability surveys. But buying a Fiat isn't about logic; it's about La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life).
The Fiat 500 (Cinquecento) is a design masterpiece. Like the Mini Cooper, it is a modern reinterpretation of a classic. It is tiny, easy to park, and oozes Italian charm. For city dwellers in New York or San Francisco, it makes perfect sense.
However, on a Texas highway surrounded by 18-wheelers, driving a Fiat 500 can feel like riding a tricycle on a runway. It is unapologetically a city car.
The highlight of the lineup is the 500 Abarth. It is the performance version, but it doesn't rely on massive speed. It relies on noise.
The Abarth has no muffler. Seriously. From the factory, it comes with a straight-pipe exhaust after the catalytic converter. It pops, bangs, and gurgles like a mini Ferrari. It is widely considered one of the most fun cars you can buy for under $10,000 on the used market. It is an angry little scorpion that begs to be thrashed.
In 2016, Fiat revived the legendary 124 Spider nameplate. But to save money, they didn't build it themselves. They called Mazda.
The modern 124 Spider is built in Japan alongside the Mazda Miata. It uses the Miata's chassis and interior, but Fiat dropped in their own 1.4L Turbo engine and designed a retro Italian body. Enthusiasts call it the "Fiata."
Is it better than a Miata? It has more torque (good for highway cruising) and sounds better, but the Miata is sharper in the corners.
Aside from the 500 and the Spider, Fiat has struggled in the US. The 500L (a bloated wagon) was universally panned for being ugly and unreliable. The 500X (a crossover) is decent but gets overshadowed by its Jeep cousin, the Renegade.
Do not buy a new Fiat. The moment you drive it off the lot, the value drops like a stone.
However, this makes them fantastic used bargains. You can find low-mileage Fiat 500s for dirt cheap. If you want a stylish second car for grocery runs or a first car for a teenager that isn't fast enough to get into trouble, a used Fiat is a smart pick.
The 2026 Fiat 500e features a 42 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, delivering an EPA-estimated range of up to 149 miles on a full charge. This makes it an ideal "urban commuter" for American cities, where the average daily drive is less than 40 miles.
For highway driving, the range may vary, but the vehicleâs high efficiencyârated at 110 MPGe combinedâensures that it remains one of the most cost-effective electric vehicles (BEV) to operate in the United States.
Charging a Fiat 500e at home depends on the equipment used. With the included Level 2 Free2move Charge home station (9.6 kW), a full charge from 0% to 100% takes approximately 6 hours.
Using a standard 120V household outlet (Level 1) will take significantly longer, roughly 37 hours for a full charge. Most US owners opt for the Level 2 installation, which provides about 30 miles of range per hour of charging, ensuring the car is ready every morning.
Yes, due to high demand for flexible powertrains, Fiat has confirmed the arrival of a Fiat 500 Hybrid for the North American market. This model utilizes a mild-hybrid system to assist the gasoline engine, reducing emissions and improving fuel economy without the need for a plug.
This "Multi-Energy" strategy allows American drivers to choose the zero-emission 500e for city life or the Hybrid variant for longer road trips where charging infrastructure may be limited.
Fiat has introduced several "Inspired By" editions for the 2026 US lineup to emphasize Italian style. These include:
Fiat provides a robust warranty for US owners to ensure confidence in their electric transition. The Traction Battery is covered by a 8-year/100,000-mile limited warranty.
Additionally, the 500e includes a 3-year/36,000-mile Basic Limited Warranty and 5 years of Roadside Assistance. This coverage protects against defects in high-voltage components and significant battery capacity loss over time.
Yes, the 2026 Fiat 500e supports DC Fast Charging at rates up to 85 kW. Using a public fast-charging station, you can add up to 30 miles of range in just 5 minutes.
A typical 0% to 80% charge at a fast charger takes approximately 35 minutes. The car uses the Combined Charging System (CCS) Type 1 plug, which is compatible with most non-Tesla public charging networks in North America.
When you purchase a 2026 Fiat 500e in the USA, you can choose between two Free2move Charge packages:
The Fiat 500e features an advanced regenerative braking system that allows for "One Pedal Driving." When you lift your foot off the accelerator, the electric motor acts as a generator, slowing the car down while recharging the battery.
In most city driving conditions, the regenerative force is strong enough to bring the car to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal, making urban traffic in cities like New York or LA much less stressful while maximizing efficiency.
The 2026 500e comes standard with a comprehensive safety suite designed for US roads. It includes Pedestrian Acoustic Alert, which emits a sound (the "Amacord" song by Nino Rota) at low speeds to warn pedestrians of the silent EV.
Standard safety tech also includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, and Drowsy Driver Detection. Higher trims offer Active Driving Assist, providing Level 2 semi-autonomous support for highway travel.
Yes, leasing is a popular option for the 500e, especially since Fiat often applies the $7,500 Federal EV Tax Credit directly to the lease payment. This "incentive passthrough" significantly reduces the monthly cost for US consumers.
Check with your local Fiat Studio for current "Sign & Drive" promotions, which often include low down payments to make the transition to Italian electric mobility even more accessible.