NIO Firefly vs Abarth 500e
Two electric Hatchbacks 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.

NIO Firefly
Price TBC
Hatchback
Electric
Single electric motor
105kW
—
ANCAP: no data
308L

Abarth 500e
From $60,500
Hatchback
Electric
Electric
113kW
—
ANCAP: no data
185L
Track the NIO Firefly & Abarth 500e
Get price-drop alerts on these models plus our free weekly new-car rundown. Unsubscribe anytime.
Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
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
44.9kWh 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 (7kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
37.3kWh 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.
Feature Showdown
The NIO Firefly features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 6-inch digital dash, while the Abarth 500e gets a 10.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The NIO Firefly stands out with Apple CarPlay that you will not find on the Abarth 500e. The Abarth 500e counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging and JBL audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The NIO Firefly uses a Single electric motor producing 105kW and 200Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a RWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.1 seconds.
The Abarth 500e responds with a Electric making 113kW and 235Nm, paired to a single-speed automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7 seconds.
The Abarth 500e has the clear power advantage at 113kW vs 105kW. In the real-world sprint, the Abarth 500e is 1.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 41.2kWh (NIO Firefly) vs 42kWh (Abarth 500e), giving WLTP ranges of 330km and 253km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (NIO Firefly) vs 85kW (Abarth 500e).
Space & Comfort
The NIO Firefly measures 4,003mm long on a 2,700mm wheelbase, 330mm longer than the Abarth 500e at 3,673mm (2,322mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the NIO Firefly generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 308L in the NIO Firefly and 185L in the Abarth 500e, giving the NIO Firefly a 123L advantage. The NIO Firefly seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 10.4m
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years / 150,000km (NIO Firefly) vs 3 years / 150,000km (Abarth 500e). The NIO Firefly has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the NIO Firefly if: You need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer NIO's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Abarth 500e if: You prioritise performance, or prefer Abarth's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The NIO Firefly takes 4 of 7 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the NIO Firefly has a clear edge. The NIO Firefly adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, NIO Firefly and Abarth 500e?
The Abarth 500e is the cheapest at $60,500 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The NIO Firefly has the most range at 427km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The NIO Firefly accepts the highest DC charging at up to 100kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of NIO Firefly and Abarth 500e carry a published ANCAP rating yet — check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The NIO Firefly has the largest boot at 308L.
Which has the best warranty?
The NIO Firefly has the longest warranty at 7 years / 150k km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Abarth 500e makes the most power at 113kW. The Abarth 500e is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
Free: Chinese Cars in Australia Cheat Sheet
Sign up free and we'll email you our Chinese Cars Cheat Sheet (PDF) — all 22 brands ranked on service, parts, warranty and dealer experience. Plus new-car launches, reviews and founding-member pricing on the upcoming CarSorted Pro Report. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
By subscribing, you agree to receive marketing emails. You can unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy.
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
Comments (0)
Sign in to join the conversation
No comments yet. Be the first!










