BMW i3 vs. FIAT 500e
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW i3 and FIAT 500e contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW i3 and the FIAT 500e.
When comparing the BMW i3's and the FIAT 500e's specifications and ratings, the BMW i3 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The FIAT 500e has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. Based on this comparison of the BMW i3's and the FIAT 500e's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2019 BMW i3 ranges from $13,973 to $21,043 while a used 2019 FIAT 500e is priced between $8,367 to $18,579.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW i3 loses 69.2 percent of its value and the FIAT 500e loses 50.2 percent of its value. This means the FIAT 500e retains 19 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW i3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW i3’s base engine makes 168 horsepower, and the FIAT 500e base engine makes 111 horsepower. The i3 is rated to deliver an average of 124 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 153 miles. The 500e is rated to deliver an average of 121 miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe), with a highway range of 84 miles. This gives the BMW i3 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the FIAT 500e. Both models use electricity. The charge time for the i3 is 5 hours (240V), while the charge time for the 500e is 24 hours (120V).
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW i3, a electric compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The FIAT 500e, a electric subcompact car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
44450
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
40475
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
36500 - 44450
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
33210
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
29790
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
23900 - 33950
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
17667
Price Range:
13973 - 21043
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
19399
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
17667 - 21130
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
13
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
50217
# Good or Great Deals:
3
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
13421
Price Range:
8367 - 18579
Category Avg Price:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
13665
Category Avg Price Range:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
12428 - 15147
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
5
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
31688
# Good or Great Deals:
0
BMW i3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
6.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
FIAT 500e Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW i3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for FIAT 500e
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.286595432386591
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
173.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
4.3 - 342.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.012494153101006
Typical Category Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
1.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Electric Subcompact Cars)
0.9 - 4.1
BMW i3 Rankings
Ranking
8 out of / 25Ranking
9 out of / 25Ranking
10 out of / 25Ranking
13 out of / 34Ranking
13 out of / 34Ranking
18 out of / 34Ranking
22 out of / 25Ranking
25 out of / 25Ranking
32 out of / 34FIAT 500e Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 28Ranking
4 out of / 34Ranking
16 out of / 34Ranking
17 out of / 34Ranking
28 out of / 34Ranking
34 out of / 34Summary Review
The BMW i3 is a compact electric car and was the first European EV to market in the US. BMW broke the mold when it created this fresh approach to motoring.
Summary Review
The Fiat 500e was a smaller than subcompact city car made for the American market from 2013 to 2019 in low volumes and in sold select US states. Not only has the Fiat 500e been discontinued, but the entire Fiat 500 line is also now discontinued, leaving Fiat as a one-model company with very few dealers in the US.
Pros and Cons
- Ultra-green construction with low carbon footprint
- Unique styling
- Vegan interior options
- Polarizing styling
- Limited space for its price point
- Poor reliability score
- Adaptive cruise control is not standard
- Rear-wheel drive only
Pros and Cons
- Low cost due to high depreciation
- Lowest reliability score on iSeeCars list of EVs
- Poor safety scores
- Very limited availability
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
BMW i3 Trim Levels
Base, s
FIAT 500e Trim Levels
Base
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
168 hp
Torque:
184 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
111 hp
Torque:
147 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.037 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
MPGe:
124 / 102 / 113
Range (city/hwy):
153 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
33 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
5 hours (240V)
Engine Specifications
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
MPGe:
121 / 103 / 112
Range (city/hwy):
84 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity:
24 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
24 hours (120V)
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
53.6 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.2 inches
Rear Leg Room:
31.9 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
49.2 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.7 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
49.4 inches
Rear Head Room:
35.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
27.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
46.4 inches
Cargo Space:
7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
78.6 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2965 lbs
Width:
80.3 inches
Height:
62.9 inches
Length:
158.3 inches
Wheelbase:
101.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.5 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2980 lbs
Width:
64.1 inches
Height:
60.1 inches
Length:
142.4 inches
Wheelbase:
90.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.5 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 5.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
155/70R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
15.0 x 5.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P185/55R15
Exterior Colors
Beige
Jucaro Beige Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Black
Fluid Black w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Blue
Imperial Blue Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
Gray
Mineral Grey w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Red
Melbourne Red Metallic w/ Frozen Grey Accent
White
Capparis White w/ BMW i Frozen Blue Accent
Orange
Not available
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Vesuvio Black Pearl
Blue
Not available
Gray
Colosseo Gray / Granito Gray
Red
Not available
White
Perla White Tri-Coat
Orange
Luminosa Orange
Silver
Pompei Silver
Interior Colors
Brown
Tera Dark Truffle
Gray
Deka Dark / Giga Brown w/ Carum Spice Grey Wool Cloth / Mega Carum Spice Grey w/ Brown Cloth Highlight
Black
Not available
White
Not available
Interior Colors
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Black
Black
White
Steam
