Abarth 500 Hatchback (2009 - 2015) review

Enlarge
40 photos
At a glance |
|
---|---|
New price | £14,380 - £15,680 |
Used price | £2,820 - £6,605 |
Used monthly cost | From £70 per month |
Fuel economy |
Not tested to latest standards
View pre-2017 economy specs
|
Road tax cost | £150 - £205 |
Insurance group | 26 - 27 How much is it to insure? |
PROS
- Distinctive looks
- Appealing and fun high-performance small car
- Sharp handling
CONS
- More powerful Abarth Grande Punto is cheaper
- Firm ride
Abarth 500 rivals
The 500 has been a big success for Fiat, so a fiery version of the model from Abarth - a separate high-performance brand within Fiat - is no surprise. Wearing the distinctive scorpion badges, the Abarth 500 has been significantly re-engineered and is only available through the small network of Abarth dealerships. Thanks to a peppy turbocharged 1.4-litre engine, it performs as well as the striking looks suggest. Sharp steering and minimal roll in corners make it hugely fun to drive too. For those who want even more performance, there's an Esseesse version which increases engine power and adds stiffer suspension and better brakes.