Fiat 500E vs Volkswagen Id.4

What's the difference?

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.

It’s been a long wait for the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro, but it’s one that’s paid off. It's an electric SUV that delivers on the essentials - comfort, smart features, and an effortless driving experience. But it also keeps charging times, range, and running costs firmly in the 'very liveable' camp. The ID.4 Pro manages to feel polished and personable, which is a great combination.

It looks, well, it looks like a Fiat 500.

It’s actually bigger in every dimension than an ICE cinquecento, but it doesn’t really look like it, which is a good thing.

The 17-inch wheels look great, and big against the very small Fiat, and I like the hidden doorhandles, which make the already smooth-looking 500’s flanks look a little smoother still. But I can take or leave the little DRLs up front that are meant to act as little illuminated eyebrows for the headlights, which come over a bit too cutesy.

But I think the highest compliment I can pay it is that it looks like a regular Fiat 500 — one of the most successful reincarnations of a timeless design ever — and not some modern, eco-friendly version that would have killed the look. 

In the cabin, however, it’s definitely a more modern affair, with the big screen, the horizontal push-button gear selector, and the nifty push-button door openers.

Still, it’s all pretty familiar Fiat 500, only a little nicer, even if some of the plastics are far too hard and scratchy for a vehicle this expensive.

There are five colours available: Ice white, Onyx black, Rose gold, Ocean green and Celestial blue.

The ID.4 Pro leans toward the pillowy end when it comes to exterior shape but it’s as cute as a button. Soft curves aren’t uncommon in this segment, and the overall effect is friendly yet grown-up.

A chrome accent strip running from the roof to the C-pillars adds interest, as do the matrix headlights, which look a bit like Transformer eyes. They’re adaptive too, so they put on a little light show when you start the car - a fun party trick.

Around the back, customisable rear light profiles will earn nods from the cooler kids.

Step inside and the cabin shines. Space is generous, and any 'cute' impressions fade fast as it’s clear this cabin means business.

Visually, it’s slick and considered, with premium materials like leather, suede, and synthetic trims setting the tone. There’s still a touch of Volkswagen fun, though. Look out for the Pause and Play icons on the brake and accelerator pedals.

It feels airy and open, especially with the panoramic sunroof option, and both displays are impressively sharp. You might expect a larger digital cluster, but the 5.3-inch instrument screen does a surprisingly good job, keeping things tidy and focused on the drive.

I'm also quite fond of the adjustable front armrests, which can be folded up and out of the way when not needed. A small touch, but it adds to the car’s flexible, family-friendly feel.

The 500e is 29mm taller, 61mm longer and 56mm wider than the current ICE Fiat 500 (now 1529mm, 3631mm and 1683mm respectively), and it rides on a longer wheelbase, too .

That means more front-seat room and head room, but there’s still not oodles of space in the four-seat cabin, and especially in the back, where things are pretty tight.

I’m 175cm tall, and my head touches the ceiling in the back, and if I had another full-size human in the back with me, I’d want it to be someone I know well, because we’d be well and truly aquatinted by the time we got to our destination.

The front seats are more accomodating, but there is a strange tightness to the pedal area for the driver. It’s so tight, in fact, that when you rest your left foot, you have to be careful not to accidentally clip the brake pedal when driving.

The boot is a small 185 litres, too. But you’re not buying this for practicality perks, are you?

The front row offers plenty of room for two co-pilots to settle in without bumping elbows. The seat padding is softer than you’d usually expect from Volkswagen, and with the extendable under-thigh supports and added seat functions, the ID.4 Pro proves itself a seriously comfortable road-tripper.

In the back, space is generous, and my eight-year old appreciated the wide door openings and cushy seating. It’s best thought of as a very comfy space for two adults, with room for a third in a pinch.

That flat floor makes a noticeable difference for the middle passenger, giving them more legroom than usual. The 'two is best' idea also applies to child seats and while there are three top-tether anchor points, realistically, using more than two at once would be a squeeze. I had no trouble installing my booster this week, though it did block visibility out the back window.

Storage up front is a strong point, with a glove box, cupholders, bottle holders, and a generous centre console. The console houses the wireless charging pad, two USB-C ports, and a large cubby that swallowed gloves, snacks, and two pairs of glasses with cases which is perfect for keeping the cabin clutter-free.

Rear passengers are well looked after, too, with climate control, directional air vents, two USB-C ports, a fold-down armrest with cupholders, bottle holders in each door and map pockets. It’s all very family-friendly.

The 543L boot handled everything we threw at it this week. I like the adjustable floor height; set it higher to create a handy space for your charging cables, or lower it to maximise room. There’s also a hidden pocket under the floor for the tyre repair kit (no spare of any description).

You miss out on a frunk, but the powered tailgate and stretchy luggage net help keep things secure and easy to manage.

Tech-wise, it’s mostly intuitive. While my husband isn’t a fan of the touchpad climate and steering wheel controls, I find them pretty straightforward to use.

What does bug me, though, is the lack of built-in sat nav and wireless Apple CarPlay. I don’t like leaving my phone charging all the time, and even when you reconnect the cable, you have to manually restart CarPlay every time you get in. Hopefully that’s something Volkswagen irons out in a future update.

For Aussies, at the moment the Pro is the only variant offered in this new electric mid-size SUV. But a sportier GTX version is due soon, which will have the same dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up as the already available ID.5 GTX, a coupe-style EV SUV riding on the same platform.

A sharp before on-road costs price tag of $59,990 positions the Pro as a healthy rival to recently arrived BYD Sealion 7 Premium and long-standing favourite the Tesla Model Y Long Range, which start at $54,990 and $68,900, respectively.

The ID.4 Pro arrives with upgraded technology by way of a graphics facelift for the 12.9-inch media display that also sports easier-to-find widgets.

There’s a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster which keeps the cockpit driver-focused and can pull directions through from your phone navigation - which you’ll need to use as the Pro, disappointedly, doesn’t arrive with in-built sat nav. And that phone connection? Still wired.

However, the update now sees additional soft-touch points throughout the cabin with contrasting stitching on the dashboard.

Our test model has been fitted with a sexy tan and black leather and suede upholstery. Bougie extras like electric and heated front seats with massage function, a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof remind you that you're sitting within the semi-premium end of the segment.

Other features include keyless entry and start, matrix LED headlights with LED daytime running lights, soft-open door handles, four USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, two 12-volt sockets, three-zone climate control, 19-inch alloy wheels and a powered tailgate. VW also throws in an at-home charging cable and an on-the-go Type 2 connector.

The Pro's equipment list is solid but some technology improvements could be made for the next update.

A single front-mounted electric motor delivers the power here, with 87kW and 220Nm on offer. Enough, Fiat says, to knock off 100km/h in 9.0 seconds. But it does feel quicker than that in real life, thanks to the way electric vehicles deliver their power.

There’s the usual EV single-speed gearbox, too, with power sent to the front wheels.

The ID.4 Pro is fully electric and rear-wheel drive with a single motor on the rear axle producing 210kW and 545Nm. That supports a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 6.7 seconds, which feels satisfyingly swift for a mid-size SUV.

There’s instant torque for easy overtakes and the RWD keeps things balanced and composed. You also get a choice of drive modes to suit your style, and regenerative braking helps recover energy smoothly. It’s subtle, but effective enough to make city driving feel more efficient.

The Fiat 500e’s 42kWh battery provides a smallish 311km driving range on paper, but when we got in it was more like 290km at 96per cent charged. A city car, then, rather than a long-distance hauler.

When it does come time to charge, you’re set up for 85kW DC fast charging which should take you from zero to 80 percent in 35 minutes. 

The ID.4 Pro is fitted with an 82kWh lithium-ion battery and offers a WLTP driving range of up to 544km, which is impressive for the segment.

Official combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) energy consumption is rated at 16.7kWh/100km, and around town, where regenerative braking works harder, you’re unlikely to feel any range anxiety.

If, like me, you do a lot of regional driving or longer trips, you might find yourself keeping a closer eye on the gauge. My real-world consumption sat closer to 20kWh/100km, which still leaves you with solid usable range, but it’s something to factor in.

Charging is straightforward, with a Type 2 CCS port that accepts up to 175kW on a DC fast charger and 11kW on AC.

Both figures are useful and on a fast charger you can expect a 10-80 per cent top-up in around 30 minutes which is quick enough to squeeze in a coffee break or snack stop, even with a kid in tow.

This is the probably the best-driving example of the Fiat 500 I’ve ever climbed into. Sure, it’s not quite as engaging as self-shifting a perky little manual, but it’s smoother, easier and more comfortable, and a whole lot better than ICE vehicles fitted with Fiat's odd dual-logic automatic gearbox.

The EV transition genuinely suits the little Fiat, admittedly sapping a little character, but also thoroughly modernising the drive experience, with smooth, constant acceleration, sharp-enough steering and a ride that’s mostly settled, only really becoming crashy over the bigger road imperfections.

The small dimensions here also help the EV reincarnation. Yes, it’s heavier than you might expect, weighing in at 1290kg (tare), with the batteries adding several hundred kilograms to the equation, but the 500e still doesn’t feel overly heavy, with the little Fiat remaining pretty light on its feet.

There are three drive modes on board, including the catchy Sherpa mode (because it will help get you where you’re going), which, when you’re running low on battery, kills the climate control and anything else it needs to preserve range and get you home. 

But you can’t shake the feeling that the 500e is a little expensive for such a specialist tool. It’s unashamedly a city car, but one that will cost you more than $50k, and which doesn’t feel quite premium enough in the cabin to justify that asking price.

The ID.4 Pro is simple to operate, and aside from the instant power delivery and lack of a traditional start/stop button, it behaves much like a combustion-powered car.

That makes it a great entry-point for anyone new to EVs because it's familiar, but has just enough electric quirk to keep things interesting.

I miss a true one-pedal driving experience in city traffic, but the set-up still works well. Regenerative braking isn’t particularly strong, but you can toggle between 'Drive' and 'B' mode, with the latter offering a bit more resistance. I’ve kept it in B mode most of the week as the extra feedback just feels nicer underfoot.

This week’s testing included winding mountain roads, regional backroads, as well as freeway stretches and the ID.4 handled it all with confidence. There’s enough precision in the corners to keep things fun, and it always feels well planted.

The suspension strikes a middle ground - not ultra-soft, but still comfortable. You’ll feel some of the sharper bumps, but most surfaces are smoothed out well, and the cabin stays quiet even at higher speeds. Ride comfort has clearly been a priority and it pays off.

From the driver’s seat, visibility could be better. The rear window is narrow, and the thick pillars don’t help, so I found myself relying quite a bit on the camera system when parking or manoeuvring.

That said, the ID.4’s size and clear 360-degree camera system make it incredibly user-friendly in tight spaces. Whether parallel parking or squeezing into small car parks, it isn't stressful to park.

The ID.4 Pro hasn’t yet been ANCAP rated for Australia, but it does carry a 2021 maximum five-star safety rating under ANCAP protocols for New Zealand variants.

It comes equipped with seven airbags, including a front centre bag, and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features that make it feel reassuringly modern and family-focused.

Standouts in day-to-day use include side exit assist, blind-spot monitoring and one of the better adaptive cruise control systems I’ve experienced lately. The lane keeping aid, however, is a little over-eager at times, with some noticeable tugging at the wheel.

Other safety features include interior monitoring, driver attention alerts, and a full spread of collision avoidance tech including autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning and rear and front cross-traffic alert.

Parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and intelligent seatbelt reminders help make low-speed manoeuvres easier and safer. For families, there are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard rear seats and three top-tether anchor points across the second row.

The fly in Fiat’s ointment is its ownership proposition, with a three-year, 150,000km warranty now way below par in Australia these days, even if the battery is covered for the standard eight years. 

Servicing is every 12 months or 15,000kms, and will cost $250 a pop for the first eight years, which is commendably cheap.

The ID.4 Pro comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is standard across the Volkswagen range, while the battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km, giving buyers a little extra peace of mind when it comes to long-term EV ownership.

Volkswagen also offers a 10-year capped-price servicing program, which is excellent for the segment.

The total cost comes to $2890 over the full term, and the service intervals are spaced every two years or 30,000km, whichever comes first.