Fiat 500E vs Ford Focus
What's the difference?

Fiat 500E

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2024 price

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Ford Focus

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2021 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Renault Megane E-Tech

Renault Scenic E-Tech

Summary

2024 Fiat 500E

2021 Ford Focus

By Andrew Chesterton

By Peter Anderson

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Turbo 3, 1.5L

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Unleaded Petrol

Electric range

320 km

6.4L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

14.4 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

42.00 kWh

Seating

Likes

Stylish, classic looks
Thoroughly modern cabin
Electric motor improves drive experience

Great chassis
Well-equipped
Surprising engine

Dislikes

Limited range on offer
Expensive for a small EV
Warranty massively underwhelming

Optional advanced safety
Better tyres would be nice
Too many optional colours

2024 Fiat 500E Summary

You wouldn’t know it to look at it, but this is a brand-new — as in really and truly all-new — Fiat 500.

That has got to be a big deal for fans of Fiat’s pint-sized city car, with a genuinely all-new 500 about rare as spotting Halley’s Comet soaring over Turin. The last time was way back in 2007, by the way, and that car will remain on sale alongside this new one for the foreseeable.

But that’s not the only surprise. This 500 is also entirely electric, properly modern inside, and it has actual technology in its cabin and on its safety list.

Fiat reckons this is a big reset for the 500. And that there will never be another all-new petrol model again.

So, how does this new 500e stack up against the recent flood of small EVs, predominantly from China?

Let’s go find out.

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2021 Ford Focus Summary

Ford's small hatch, the Focus, is criminally under-bought in Australia. The latest model is one of the best hatchbacks on the road and when you chuck in the decent price, impressive equipment and absurdly powerful engine for its size, it's a winner.

But you lot? You don't buy it in nearly the kinds of numbers it deserves. Partly because there isn't a bait-and-upsell boggo model to lure you in, partly because it's got a badge that is not exciting Australians any more and partly because it's not a compact SUV.

Or is(n't) it? Because alongside the ST-Line warm hatch is the identically priced and therefore technically a co-entry level model; the Focus Active. Slightly higher, with plastic cladding, drive modes and a conspicuous L on the transmission shifter, it's a little bit SUV, right?

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Deep dive comparison

2024 Fiat 500E 2021 Ford Focus

Verdict

A fun, funky EV which will no doubt appeal to lovers of Italian style, but also one which struggles a little on the range and price front.

Still, there’s no doubt that electrification has improved the Fiat 500 formula.

Verdict

Ten years ago, the idea that the higher-riding version of a hatchback would be a good city car would have been laughable. The Focus Active is pitched as a kind of SUV with its different low-grip driving modes, which you'll never touch if you stick to the city.

The Ford Focus is genuinely a brilliant car, no matter where you take it. The Active takes a terrific chassis, tweaks it for comfort but, ironically, doesn't lose much of the speed.

Fiat 500E vs Ford Focus What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Fiat 500E vs Ford Focus
What's the difference?