Fiat 600 Hybrid 100 HP – The Best of Both Worlds?
If you previously read my review on the Fiat 600e and thought that a starting price of £32,995 was a little steep, then fear not, as there is an alternative which may be just right for you. Starting at £23,975 the new Fiat 600 Hybrid, in 1.2L 100 hp guise, is a little over £9,000 cheaper than the entry level all electric version and as tested, is £12,370 cheaper than the top spec 600e ‘La Prima’ previously reviewed. So, the question is, does the 600 Hybrid 100 hp represent the bargain of the range?
Visually, there is little to distinguish between the hybrid and electric variants of the 600, save for some badging, which is a good thing as the design works well. It has all the quirky attributes that make the smaller 500 appealing, albeit in a larger, more family-oriented package. In particular, I think the white of this test car (a £650 option) really suits it, providing a clean, sharp appearance which contrasts well with the black door mirrors, spoiler and lower trim details. As is common on this model, the exterior is adorned with numerous ‘600’ badges, giving rise to the previously encountered Audi resemblance, which is a fair assumption given that there is only one noticeable Fiat badge (on the boot). Being the entry level, this car is fitted with 17” diamond cut alloys, although an upgrade to 18” is possible if the higher spec ‘La Prima’ trim is selected, albeit at a cost of £3,000.
The interior, whilst functional, does feature some scratchy plastics in upper areas, but overall, it is solidly put together, and the white dashboard fascia adds a splash of colour. The standard-fit, heated front seats, finished in black fabric with ivory leather detailing, offer excellent comfort and plenty of manual adjustment. Couple this with a thin-rimmed, multifunction steering wheel with good rake/reach adjustment, and a nice driving position can be found easily, even for those over 6 feet. Interior space is adequate, and whilst Peter Crouch may struggle for comfort in the back, most adults and children will be perfectly fine. Elsewhere, the cabin features plenty of useful storage cubbyholes, although the glovebox is particularly small and the central compartment looks a bit bare without the fancy iPad-style cover, which features in the top-spec model. The infotainment system is controlled via the dash-mounted 10” touchscreen, which contains everything from media to climate settings, although some buttons remain for this latter functionality which is welcome. One blot on the copybook of this entry-spec 600 Hybrid, is the lack of an inbuilt sat nav system. Whilst standard fit wireless CarPlay and Android Auto will satisfy most buyers, the use of phone maps may not suit everyone’s needs. Opting for the ‘La Prima’ trim brings this added functionality, alongside other favourable features including a reversing camera, wireless phone charging and automatic climate control, but I feel that Fiat are missing a trick in not allowing selective addition of key options, instead prompting buyers to pay £3000 for the privilege.
Given that the 1.2 L, 48 V Puretech triple puts out a modest 100 hp, you may be inclined to think that the 600 Hybrid would feel underpowered, however rest assured, this is not the case. The peppy engine responds well and the 6-speed e-DCT gearbox is relatively quick witted. A 0-60 mph time of 10.9 seconds suggests that you won’t be breaking any quarter mile records, but in reality, the car feels quicker than this and is more than powerful enough. This is in part due to the 48 V lithium-ion battery which works to power a 28 hp (21 kW) electric motor located inside the gearbox casing (hence e-DCT). Aside from improving economy, this aids performance meaning that overtaking isn’t a chore. It certainly feels more responsive than my 160 hp Alfa Romeo Tonale.
Around town, and particularly in stop start traffic up to 18 mph, you find that the 600 Hybrid is mostly operating under electric power. Fiat claims the car to have 0.6 miles of EV range, which seems minuscule, but looking at the drivers 7” TFT display, you notice the battery being used more than you’d expect. As charge depletes/speed increases, the engine starts getting involved however, the transition is seamless and is considerably smoother and more refined feeling than the aforementioned Tonale. During deceleration you notice the car working to regenerate the battery charge, with quite a pronounced tail off in speed, but you quickly adapt to this style of driving. In an urban environment, the steering is light enough to make manoeuvring easier and the brakes aren’t too grabby, all of which highlights how comfortable this car is doing the day-to-day things most will require.
Out of town and on twistier roads, the 600 Hybrid feels noticeably lighter on its feet than the 240 kg heavier 600e, with a much keener turn in. As is common with modern electrically assisted systems, there isn’t great feedback through the wheel, but the steering does weight up which inspires some confidence. The ride quality is pliant and on its Goodyear 215/60 R17 it soaks up the worst our roads throw at it. However, given its target market, you can tell it is primarily set up for comfort, so when pushing on, a floaty sensation becomes apparent. Whilst the gearbox responds well, the tactility of the small, plastic gearshift paddles isn’t the best for sporty driving (Alfa does this much better), but in a car of this size it is good to have the ability to change gears manually should you wish. You do lose a little interaction on account of the auto up-shift, which is just as well considering there is no rev counter! Dial it back however, and the 600 Hybrid is a highly competent, smooth driving car, which will achieve 57.6 mpg on the combined WLTP cycle and an easy 400 miles range from its 44 L tank.
So back to that original question, does the 600 Hybrid represent the bargain of the range? The answer, resoundingly, is yes. Given the current climate and attitudes towards full EVs, the 600 Hybrid appears to be a better solution for more people, providing excellent efficiency for a fraction of the price of its electric twin. It really is the best of both worlds.
Aaron McCalmont
NIIMC Motoring correspondent
With thanks to the team at Donnelly Group NI, Mallusk for the loan of the vehicle.
