Is the Abarth 600e a sensible electric hot hatch?
The Abarth 600e is worth considering if you want a compact performance EV with useful everyday doors and proper chassis hardware. Its modest official range makes it a less obvious choice for regular long journeys. The appeal has to be more than acceleration.
There is no shortage of electric cars that can make a passenger go quiet when you press the accelerator. The interesting question is what happens between those moments. Does the car make ordinary journeys enjoyable, and can it still do the boring jobs without becoming hard work?
That is the standard I would apply to the 600e. A scorpion badge and an enthusiastic paint colour are a start. They are not a complete argument for buying one.
Which version should you be looking at?
The current UK range uses Turismo and Competizione names, with quoted outputs of 240 HP and 280 HP respectively. Early 2025 coverage refers to the Scorpionissima launch version. Do not assume an older review, a stock car and a new factory order describe identical equipment.
I would start with the less expensive version and work upwards from the features I would actually use. More supportive seats may be worth paying for; a higher number on the specification sheet is less persuasive if the car spends most of its life on familiar roads. Ask for an itemised comparison, including any packs, before deciding which is better value.
What makes it more than a Fiat with a badge?
Abarth specifies a mechanical limited-slip differential, Alcon brakes and dedicated suspension changes. Those are meaningful components because getting power onto the road and controlling the car matter more than producing an impressive launch figure.
They are reasons to arrange a proper test drive, rather than proof of how the car feels. I would use a route with rough town surfaces, tighter corners and a faster section. A performance car that only comes together on a perfectly smooth road has a rather limited audience in Britain.
Will its range and charging work for you?
The UK specification quotes a 54kWh battery and up to 207 miles WLTP combined with Eco tyres. The stated rapid-charge time is 27 minutes from 20 to 80%, using up to 100kW DC. That starting percentage matters when comparing it with another manufacturer's 10–80% claim.
For a household with dependable charging and mainly local journeys, a smaller battery need not be a problem. For regular motorway trips, build the journey around a realistic reserve and likely stops. I would not choose the car on the assumption that an official maximum is the distance available in every season.
Can it manage everyday family duties?
The five-seat layout is useful, but the showroom check should focus on the people and luggage you actually carry. Set the driving seat for yourself, then sit behind it. Bring the child seat or pushchair if those are part of the brief. Try getting in and out of the sports seats several times, rather than judging them by how good they look.
Tyres also deserve a line in the budget. Check the fitted size, specification and replacement cost. Saving money on electricity is welcome, but it does not make every other ownership cost disappear.
What else would I compare it with?
The Vauxhall Mokka GSE belongs on the performance crossover shortlist. The Fiat 600e helps answer whether you need the sporting hardware at all. For a smaller EV with design appeal, see the Renault 5 E-Tech.
What is my verdict?
I like the idea of a performance EV that does not require a huge footprint. The 600e has enough substance in its specification to deserve attention. My buying preference would be the simplest version that delivers the seats and equipment I want, with a charging routine already worked out.
Choose it for its particular character and intended use. If the main priority is covering long distances with the fewest stops, the sensible shortlist is elsewhere.
Sources and author
By Ben Freakley. Editorial assessment based on Abarth's current UK specifications and its 2025 UK launch information, checked on 21 October 2026. Official Abarth image; equipment can vary by version. More Abarth coverage.
