All About Fiat Hybrids
In 2022, Fiat’s hybrid models are only available to the European market. Here’s what you should know.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
As of 2022, Fiat has hybrid options available for four of its cars—but they are only being sold to the European market. We don’t know whether these eco-friendly city cars will ever hit the roads in the U.S., but here’s what you should know about the Italian automaker’s hybrid options.
Although Fiat’s small cars sold well in the U.S. during the 1970s and 80s, their appeal dwindled as the American market developed a preference for larger cars like SUVs and crossovers. Today, Fiat only sells a single model in the states: the
Fiat 500X
. Unfortunately for fans of the little Italian city car, it’s not available as a fuel-efficient hybrid. But in Europe, where there’s more demand for small vehicles, Fiat offers hybrid versions of its Panda, Tipo, 500
, and 500X models.In this guide, we’ll take a look at Fiat’s four European hybrids, and offer some great alternatives for American car buyers.
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Fiat hybrid models
Here’s what Fiat’s hybrid cars look like in terms of fuel economy:
Model | Vehicle type | Fuel economy |
|---|---|---|
Panda | City car | 50 mpg |
Tipo | Wagon | 51 mpg |
500 | Subcompact car | 53 mpg |
500X | Subcompact SUV | 46 mpg |
In addition to its hybrid models, Fiat makes one
all-electric vehicle
: the Fiat 500e
. The 2022 model of this tiny plug-in gets about 200 miles of range, and is only available in Europe—but the Fiat 500e did make an appearance in the U.S. In fact, it was sold in the states from 2012 to 2019, so if you’re looking to save on gas with one of Fiat’s pint-size cars, you might be able to find one on the used car market!Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric car: what’s the difference?
If you’re shopping for an eco-friendly car, you’ve probably heard terms like hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric car—but what exactly do they mean?
Vehicles with a hybrid powertrain run on gas—just like a regular car. The difference is that their gas engine works alongside an electric motor to power the car. These cars get better gas mileage than cars with standard engines, but you can’t run the car entirely off electricity, and you’ll never need to charge its battery.
On the other hand, a plug-in hybrid vehicle is equipped with an electric motor and a chargeable battery—so they function in almost the same way as an all-electric car. But they’re also fitted with a gas engine, which can power the car if the battery charge is depleted.
Finally, electric vehicles don't use gasoline at all. They have an electric motor with a larger, more powerful battery and have a driving range of between 80 and 400 miles,depending on the make and model. Without a gasoline engine to take over, electric-vehicle owners need to keep their cars charged by using a home or public charging station.
Fiat hybrid cars
While it’s unlikely that we’ll see the Italian automaker make a comeback in the U.S. anytime soon, Fiat’s city cars offer easy, urban driving and remain a popular pick among European car buyers. Here’s how the brand’s hybrid models stack up.
Fiat Panda
Not only was the Fiat Panda the best-selling car in Italy last year, it also won the title of Best Crossover from Britain’s 4x4 Magazine. Offering four-wheel drive, impressive visibility, and a generous amount of cargo space for its size, the Fiat Panda is an inexpensive option for city drivers. The hybrid version comes with a 1.0 GSE 70CV engine, which Fiat says reduces CO2 emissions by up to 30%.
Fiat Tipo
The Tipo is Fiat’s only wagon, and it’s available for the first time with a hybrid engine in Europe for the 2022 model year. It has a 130-horsepower, 1.5 GSE T4 engine with a 48-volt electric motor and 12-volt starter generator, and has the advantage of more legroom and trunk space than any of the other Fiat models. It comes with a 5-inch touchscreen and built-in navigation, but no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
Fiat 500
The
Fiat 500
, which was named 2021’s Best Car by the Belgian magazine Le Moniteur Automobile,is comparable to the Panda both in size and power. However, it offers a fun, retro-looking exterior and includes the option for some basic tech like Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and rear parking sensors. Fiat 500X
For car buyers that want a little more space, the
Fiat 500X
is closer in size to a Jeep Renegade
than it is to the 500 or the Panda. It’s only available with front-wheel drive, but includes a bigger selection of customization options and comes with a 1-liter turbocharged engine with a 48-volt battery. It’s also a little faster than Fiat’s other city cars, going from 0 to 62 mph in a reasonable 10.9 seconds.MORE:
How to buy a hybrid car
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Fiat hybrid alternatives
With the exception of the gasoline-powered 500X, U.S. drivers won’t be able to get their hands on any of Fiat’s other models—but if you’re looking for a cute, compact small car with a hybrid powertrain, check out the chart below for a some excellent alternatives:
Make | Model | Vehicle type | Starting cost | Fuel economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hyundai | Ioniq | Compact car | $24,695 | 98 to 114 mpg |
Kia | Niro | Subcompact SUV | $25,945 | 50 to 105 mpg |
Mini Cooper | Countryman | Subcompact SUV | $29,950 | 73 mpg |
Toyota | Corolla | Compact car | $21,450 | 52 mpg |
Not only do hybrid vehicles benefit the environment by causing less pollution, owning one can also lead to some major savings like reduced fuel costs and insurance discounts. Hybrid (and EV) drivers may also be eligible for a
federal tax credit
of up to $7,500!How to get sustainable rates on car insurance
Driving a hybrid or electric car is a great way to save money, but shopping for
car insurance
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can help you save even more.Just download the app, answer a quick questionnaire that should take you less than a minute to complete, and Jerry will provide you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers. Once you make your pick, all you have to do is give it a tap and Jerry handles all the phone calls and paperwork needed to secure your new coverage. We can even cancel your old policy for you.
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Do you pay less tax on a hybrid car?
The federal government offers
tax credits
to drivers who buy new electric or hybrid cars. In fact, you might be able to earn a credit of up to $7,500 just for purchasing one of these eco-friendly vehicles.How much does it cost to replace a hybrid battery?
In general, replacing the battery in a hybrid might cost you anywhere from about $1,000 to upwards of $8,000. But your exact price depends on your car’s make and model, the type of replacement needed, and where you go to have the service done.
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