Fiat 500e vs Hyundai Kona Electric
Two electric cars go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Track the Fiat 500e & Hyundai Kona Electric
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Price Breakdown
The Fiat 500e starts from $52,500 before on-road costs, while the Hyundai Kona Electric opens at $54,000. That makes the Fiat 500e the more affordable entry point by $1,500.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $57,750 and $59,400 respectively.
Both models qualify for Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemption, which is a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases. Depending on your tax bracket, this can save $5,000-$15,000+ per year compared to an equivalent ICE vehicle.
Safety Rundown
Both the Fiat 500e and Hyundai Kona Electric hold a 4-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 78% for the Fiat 500e and 80% for the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. The Fiat 500e packs more ADAS features with 6 out of 10 key systems fitted, compared to 5 in the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the Fiat 500e and 7 in the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
42kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 85kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 85kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
64.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Fiat 500e features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Hyundai Kona Electric gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Fiat 500e stands out with Apple CarPlay, BeatsAudio audio and ambient lighting that you will not find on the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Hyundai Kona Electric counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, heated front seats and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Fiat 500e gets leatherette upholstery while the Hyundai Kona Electric offers cloth. Climate control is 1-zone in the Fiat 500e and 2-zone in the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Drivetrain
The Fiat 500e uses a Electric producing 87kW and 220Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The Hyundai Kona Electric responds with a Electric making 99kW and 255Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.9 seconds.
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the clear power advantage at 99kW vs 87kW. In the real-world sprint, the Fiat 500e is 0.9s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 42kWh (Fiat 500e) vs 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric), giving WLTP ranges of 311km and 395km. DC fast charging peaks at 85kW (Fiat 500e) vs 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric).
Space & Comfort
The Fiat 500e measures 3,631mm long on a 2,322mm wheelbase, 719mm shorter than the Hyundai Kona Electric at 4,350mm (2,660mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Kona Electric generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 185L in the Fiat 500e and 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric, giving the Hyundai Kona Electric a 222L advantage. The Hyundai Kona Electric seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.3m to 10.6m
Based on 9.3m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 3 years / 150,000km (Fiat 500e) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Hyundai Kona Electric). The Hyundai Kona Electric has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Fiat 500e if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Fiat's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Hyundai Kona Electric if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Hyundai's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Hyundai Kona Electric takes 8 of 11 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Hyundai Kona Electric has a clear edge. The Hyundai Kona Electric adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Fiat 500e and Hyundai Kona Electric?
The Fiat 500e is the cheapest at $52,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric by $1,500.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the most range at 370km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Hyundai Kona Electric accepts the highest DC charging at up to 100kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Fiat 500e and Hyundai Kona Electric all hold a 4-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the largest boot at 407L.
Which can tow the most?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Hyundai Kona Electric makes the most power at 99kW. The Fiat 500e is quickest to 100km/h in 9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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