• Not yet crash tested by Euro NCAP
• Lack of advanced safety systems
• Usual spread of airbags 

The Abarth 124 Spider has not been – and likely never will be – crash tested by European automotive safety regulators Euro NCAP. However, the Mazda MX-5 on which it is based has been crashed tested and received a four-star rating back in 2015. Therefore, in the event of an accident the 124 Spider can be expected to perform in a similar manner to the MX-5.

Safety equipment includes  electronic stability control and ABS, complemented by front side, front passenger and driver airbags. However, as with most small roadsters, there’s no advanced crash mitigation systems such as autonomous emergency braking, cross-traffic alert or multi-collision braking.

• Little storage all-round
• Boot can fit a couple of medium-sized soft bags
• Small car, so easy enough to park 

Space inside the Abarth 124 Spider is fine so long as you’re not especially tall. Those over six foot who are considering buying one need to take a test drive first to ensure they fit properly. Needless to say, that while short to medium journeys are easily achievable, the 124 Spider can start to feel decidedly cramped on longer hauls.

Storage space in the cabin is almost non-existent. There’s no conventional glovebox, with a cubbyhole between the driver and passenger seat taking its place. It’s big enough for a few odds and ends, but little else. There’s also a place to put your phone underneath the air-con controls plus another very small storage area under the armrest.

Note that due to the lack of door pockets and cupholders, you’ll need to get inventive when it comes to storing bottles of drink. Open cups of coffee and other hot drinks are a big no no…

The 124 Spider isn’t a big car despite what the long bonnet might suggest from behind the wheel. Roof up, there’s a fairly large over the shoulder blindspot, however with the roof folded down it’s easy to see all of the car’s extremities from the driver’s seat.

Optional parking sensors do help, although as usual in a car of this size they’re not absolutely necessary.

There’s little to say about the Abarth 124 Spider’s boot, other than it’s really very small. Still, there’s a useful depth to it and passengers shouldn’t have any trouble slotting in two reasonably large soft bags for a weekend away. If this still isn’t enough, a rack can be bought for the bootlid that increases storage space.