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BMW i3 (60Ah) vs Fiat 500e
Selected trim60Ah · 2013-17118 mi · 21.6 kWh · £32,350
Selected trimIconChange trim118 mi · 24 kWh · £20,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 stays competitive across the board, while the Fiat 500e leads on value for money and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Fiat 500e if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Fiat 500e edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
ValueFiat
BMW
3.5
Fiat
5.5
Motorway Range
BMW
3.1
Fiat
3.3
Too close to call
Family
BMW
4.9
Fiat
4.7
Too close to call
Charging
BMW
4.1
Fiat
4
Too close to call
Cost Per Mile
BMW
9
Fiat
9.1
Too close to call
City DrivingFiat
BMW
9.1
Fiat
9.6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Fiat 500e
Length
BMW i34,006mm
Fiat 500e3,632mm-374mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
Fiat 500e1,683mm-92mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Fiat 500e1,527mm-71mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Fiat 500eIcon |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 3,632 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,683 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | 1,900 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,527 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m | 9.7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 717 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Fiat 500e
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- At 3,632 mm, shorter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.7 m turning circle, tighter than 80% of hatchback EVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 60Ah |  Fiat 500e Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 3.63m-374mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.68m-92mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 1.90m-99mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.53m-71mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.32m-248mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L (better) | 185L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m | 9.7m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,270kg | 1,265kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 21.6kWh | 24kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 118 mi | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 50kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £32,350 | £20,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £32,350 (not eligible) | £17,245 (-£3,750) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2013–2017 | 2020+ |
* BMW i3: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i360Ah | Fiat 500eIcon |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 118 miles | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 75 miles | 98 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 24 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 50 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 129 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 18.8 kWh | 24 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW i3
60Ah
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Fiat 500e
Icon
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 60Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Fiat 500e Icon
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant76%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users67%
Safety Assist67%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag firm ride comfort, real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i3
60Ah
Owners love
- Excellent urban driving dynamics with agile handling, quick acceleration, and responsive electric powertrain making it fun and engaging
- Premium interior design and build quality with lightweight carbon fiber construction; won Automotive Interiors Expo Award 2014
- REX range extender provides practical flexibility for occasional longer journeys without replacing daily charging needs
Watch out for
- Real-world range significantly lower than advertised (60-85 miles vs. 118 miles claimed for 60Ah models), with severe winter degradation to 55-60 miles
- Early 60Ah battery models experience capacity degradation over time, limiting long-term viability as sole car
- AC-only charging on early models without DC rapid capability complicates longer journeys and affects resale value
Owner tips
- For 60Ah models, verify battery health via hidden menu diagnostics and only buy as second car or accept potential replacement within two years; consider 120Ah upgrade if available
- Pre-condition cabin before driving and charge to 75-80% maximum to preserve battery health; use Eco Pro Plus mode to maximize range in winter
Fiat 500e
Icon
Owners love
- Owners love the style, the quality of the cabin and how fun, quick and easy to park it is in town.
- Running costs are very low on an off-peak home tariff, and many owners rarely need public charging.
- The touchscreen with wireless phone mirroring and the driver-assist systems work well for the price.
Watch out for
- Range is below the official figure: owners of 42 kWh cars report around 150 to 160 miles in summer and 120 or less in winter.
- It is small inside: tight rear seats, a small boot and no frunk.
- The Fiat app and some infotainment features are buggy, and dealers often lack technical knowledge.
Owner tips
- Plan on about 150 miles in summer and 120 in winter from a 42 kWh car.
- Look for LED headlights and the six-way adjustable driver's seat if those matter to you.
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Fiat 500e
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3
No active listings.
Fiat 500e
- £15,1002022EV ExpertsView
- £11,0952021Drive GreenView
- £11,2952022Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £11,355 over the Fiat 500e?
The BMW i3 costs £11,355 more than the Fiat 500e. For that premium it adds 75 litres more boot space, 55 kW more power and a 2.3s quicker 0-62mph time. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Fiat 500e comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Fiat 500e?
The Fiat 500e is £11,355 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Fiat 500e comes out roughly £11,395 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and Fiat 500e like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 75 miles for the BMW i3 and 98 miles for the Fiat 500e - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Fiat 500e goes roughly 23 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 24-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Fiat 500e?
The Fiat 500e is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 92 mm narrower than the BMW i3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 717 mm of total clearance for the Fiat 500e and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Fiat 500e?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 84% for the Fiat 500e. That gives the BMW i3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i3 comparisons
More Fiat 500e comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and Fiat 500e rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and Fiat 500e rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and Fiat 500e rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Fiat 500e rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Fiat 500e rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Fiat 500e rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i3 (2013-2022): 60Ah vs 94Ah vs 120Ah, REx, Warranty & What to Check
A used BMW i3 buyer’s guide: the three battery sizes, i3 vs i3s, the range extender explained, battery warranty left, the motor electronics fault to ask about, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideUsed Fiat 500e buyer's guide (2021-on)
Buying a used Fiat 500e: the 24 kWh and 42 kWh batteries, realistic range, what owners report, recalls and what to pay in 2026, plus why a new one may cost little more.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .