Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced.

Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced.

      Jerry Perez

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      Not many people in North America have had the chance to drive the ultimate four-wheeled accessory, the Fiat Topolino. I count myself among the fortunate few, along with my friend and colleague Adam Ismail, meaning at least 40% of The Drive team is thrilled that this vehicle will finally be available in the United States. However, there is one downside: it's incredibly pricey.

      Stellantis announced today that a “little piece of la dolce vita is now crossing the Atlantic and landing in America.” The Topolino, which translates to "little mouse" in Italian, can be purchased at select Fiat dealerships across the country, though honestly, I didn't think there were any Fiat dealers left, as I haven’t seen one in ages. Two versions of the micro EV will be offered: the base Topolino and the Topolino Dolcevita, the no-door convertible variant that I had the chance to drive.

      Opting for either Topolino version will cost you $13,990, plus an additional $990 destination fee, totaling $14,980 before taxes and other fees. That price is quite steep for what is essentially a stylish two-person golf cart powered by a 5.4-kWh lithium-ion battery with an electric motor driving the front wheels. Fiat also claims a top speed of 19 mph for U.S. models—though I know for certain I reached 30 mph in mine while navigating the hilly terrain of southern France.

      According to the manufacturer, owners will have the option to increase the top speed to 25 mph "to become street legal by installing a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) conversion kit by the end of summer 2026." I'm not entirely sure about the reasoning behind this or how making buyers of an already niche and expensive little vehicle comply makes any sense, but I suspect it’s a regulatory loophole needed to import and sell these here.

      Aside from the price, the Topolino is very practical, comfortable, and well-suited for big cities where parking can be tough, or for those who only require a small vehicle for commuting without needing a full-size car. Despite its impressive 46-mile range, I doubt the Topolino will be more than a gimmick in the U.S., and it will likely never be taken seriously. In contrast, last month I spent time in Amsterdam and various cities in France and Italy, where these vehicles are quite common.

      Jerry Perez

      Unfortunately for me, purchasing one in Indiana will cost $16,300, which doesn't even include the registration or the conversion kit to boost its top speed. That's simply too much.

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Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced. Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced. Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced. Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced. Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced. Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced. Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced.

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Hooray, the Fiat Topolino is now available for purchase in the US—but it's quite overpriced.

The Fiat Topolino is undeniably one of the most adorable compact cars, but would you be willing to spend this amount on a two-seat micro EV that offers a range of 46 miles and a maximum speed of 25 mph?