HUGE Discounts Make The New Fiat 500e A Massive Bargain

The Fiat 500e is one of the most affordable electric vehicles available in North America. But with a starting price of $32,500, many consumers may feel that the Italian automaker is asking an awful lot for such a small car, even if it is great fun to drive. After all, a Tesla Model 3 can be had for $34,990 with incentives. So what is Fiat to do?

According to CarsDirect, the Stellantis-owned brand is offering discounts that total nearly a third of the vehicle’s MSRP. Dealers can now offer as much as $3,000 in savings coupons to boost sales of the little EV. When coupled with the $7,500 factory lease credit (offered through Stellantis Financial) customers can look forward to as much as $10,500 in savings. Considering the 500e kicks off at $32,500 (excluding destination), that’s a 32% reduction in price. It’s worth noting that certain models – such as the Inspired by Los Angeles 500e – cost slightly more.

Up To $10,500 Off The Sticker Price

Per the report, a Fiat Cash Coupon Program – which kicked off on September 25 – will enable dealers to offer coupons worth $500 towards a purchase or lease. Retailers can choose to combine up to six of these coupons for up to $3,000 in total savings.

While $10,500 off the sticker price of a 500e sounds appealing, it’s not guaranteed. Firstly, the $7,500 incentive is only available to lease customers, so those who plan on financing or purchasing their little electric city car will miss out on the offer. Furthermore, dealers are assigned a certain number of coupons and may want to use them sparingly to attract as many customers as possible. Therefore, buyers may want to see what different Fiat dealers are willing to offer them.

But Before You Lease A 500e…

That being said, the 500e isn’t what we’d call a leasing bargain. Per CarsDirect, the 500e was more than $100 p/m more expensive than a Tesla Model 3 lease. Before coupons, the 500e has a total monthly leasing cost of $437 p/m in California (before coupons), which makes it more expensive than a Model 3 ($410). To make matters worse, the little Fiat offers a paltry EPA-estimated range of 149 miles, making it useful only for shorter commutes and city driving.

That said, if you want an affordable and eco-friendly fashion statement, few cars can live up to the 500e’s image. For buyers who simply want a cheap EV lease, Vietnamese automaker VinFast has some incredible deals on the VF 8. The battery-powered crossover is available for $199 p/m with $0 down, over 36 months. That’s remarkable, but customers may be wary about leasing a vehicle from a relatively new automaker.

Source:
CarsDirect