Fiat 500 electric boot space, seating & practicality
Poor practicality is the Fiat 500’s biggest downfall, due to its cramped rear seats and tiny boot, whichever model you go for
| Length | Width | Height | Boot volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,623mm | 1,900mm | 1,527mm | 185 litres |
If you’re after a car like the Fiat 500, practicality is unlikely to be much of a sticking point. That said, the Honda e or Ora Funky Cat’s rear doors will be of great benefit to anyone with small children, or for those regularly carrying people in the back.
Interior storage in the Fiat is nothing to write home about, and its boot is tiny, too. Thankfully there is some underfloor storage, which allows you to keep the car’s charging cables out of sight, but you’ll likely find the weekly shop regularly spills onto the rear seats. Go for the convertible version and you'll be forced to post your belongings through a space that sometimes feels no bigger than a letterbox.
Fiat 500 interior space, storage & comfort
We’ve few complaints about the cabin of this latest Fiat 500 – from the driver’s seat, it feels spacious and well equipped. However, attempting to take a seat in the back is another matter entirely. Even getting there is a challenge; the wide doors are difficult to open in tight spaces, while clambering past the front seats is a task only for the most supple – or kids. The space once you’re there is cramped, too.
Fiat has introduced a 3+1 version of the electric 500 in Europe, with a small rear-hinged back door on one side that gives easier access to the rear seats. Fiat was looking into its UK-market viability, but hasn't brought it over here yet and has admitted that even if it did, the third door would have to stay on the 'wrong' side of the car.
Boot space
Boot space in the Fiat 500 is pretty poor. The hatchback version boasts a tiny 185-litre load area – smaller even than what a MINI Electric can manage. Go for the convertible version and this shrinks even further, while it also has a compromised postbox-style opening. Furthermore, if you try to open it with the roof lowered, you'll need to wait for the canvas top to fold back before being allowed access.
However, like the MINI, as long as you avoid the entry-level Fiat 500, you’ll find the rear seats split down the middle, making it easier to carry bulky items.
