2018 Fiat 500 Abarth Review
The 500 Abarth is the performance-focused variant of the subcompact Fiat 500 hatchback range and offers enthusiasts a sportier look and feel with re-tuned mechanicals for an overall jauntier experience. The compact nature of the two-door hatchback does, however, present congruous limitations in practicality, providing little interior space for occupants as well as for storage and cargo items. The 500 Abarth may be a fun-to-drive and nimble little machine with iconic retro-Italian design flair, but along with the advantages it holds come notable limitations. With an MSRP of $20,495 the 2018 model is slightly more affordable than most of its minicar rivals, like the Mini Cooper S, but many might argue it isn't as capable as rivals might be. Where the track day enthusiast may see merit in the small dimensions paired with the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 160 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, the everyday driver may see drawbacks in efficiency and practicality.
Best Deals on 500 Abarth
What's the Price of the 2018 Fiat 500 Abarth?
The standard 2018 Fiat 500 Abarth comes with a starting MSRP of $20,495, excluding tax, registration, licensing, and Fiat's $1,495 destination charge. Fully loaded the 500 Abarth can reach a price up of $28,000 which includes comfort and quality improvements and cosmetic enhancements. The base cost and everything it includes is appreciable, however, placing the 500 Abarth in a similar pricing range as its rivals and still offering a whole lot of fun and eye-catching style.
2018 500 Abarth Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
144.4 in | 90.6 in | 58.7 in | 64.1 in | 55.4 in | 55.0 in | 2,512.0 lbs |
Exterior Colors
2018 500 Abarth Performance
Engine and Transmission
Handling and Driving Impressions
Handling, steering, and braking are the 500 Abarth's strong points, accredited to its compact dimensions and performance-tuned hardware. It does, however, feel top-heavy and unstable at higher speeds and on curvy roads, eroding confidence in the driver on a track, although a large amount of this can be attributed to the unsupportive standard seats. Steering is light but doesn't communicate much feedback from the front tires, while becoming artificially heavy in Sport mode and still lacking feedback. As such, it's easy to run beyond the limits of grip, at which point the 500 Abarth understeers tremendously easily. However, ease of the throttle and the short wheelbase has a tendency to snap oversteer, which makes for loads of excitement, but not much consistency in its handling ability.
Unfortunately fitting the short wheelbase hatchback with a sport-tuned suspension has disadvantaged the drive of the 500 Abarth from a comfort perspective, making for a jostling experience on the highway and a bouncy cabin over bumps. There's lots of feedback and tire roar through the cabin as well, which is fun when you're on a twisty road as you feel like you've hauling along at great pace, but it becomes tiresome after a while.
2018 500 Abarth Interior
Seating and Interior Space
2018 500 Abarth Trunk and Cargo Space
2018 500 Abarth Safety and Reliability
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating | Rollover Rating |
---|---|
4/5 | 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2018 Fiat 500 Abarth A Good car?
The Fiat 500 Abarth's compact makeup is well suited to city driving, but the performance-tuned suspension and uprated engine seem at odds with what the 500 is fundamentally meant to be. With a city-focused platform, merely adding more power and stiffening the suspension doesn't turn the Abarth into a true hot hatch, and it suffers from erratic handling, lackluster performance, and a fundamental lack of comfort, largely owing to a poor, perched driving position. Even though it may not match the performance and dynamic capabilities of rivals, the 500 Abarth is a raucous machine that feels far quicker than anything else out there. It's a theatrical experience that leaves you smiling, even if you get to your destination slower than any other hot hatch around.
The Abarth-badged 500 derivative inherits a few basic flaws from the 500 range, though, which pose a practical nightmare. The lack of usable rear seats and the poor amounts of cargo volume are big potential problems, while the cheap feeling interior doesn't live up to the standards set by others in this segment. If you can live with these glaring flaws, then the 500 Abarth will give you an abundance of happiness, and an equal dosage of frustration.
What Fiat 500 Abarth Model Should I Buy?
The 2018 Fiat 500 Abarth is Fiat's standalone performance vehicle and is featured with no variable trim availability. This model is suited to either the track day enthusiast or the daily driver, although likely to turn more heads on the roads than on the track. Its sporty appearance and performance-tuned underpinnings are appealing, but the 500 Abarth is no race-car while offering no practical utility. We'd recommend opting for the Popular Equipment package for greater comfort and convenience, while the Beats Audio sound system upgrade is well worth a look as well.
2018 Fiat 500 Abarth Comparisons
2018 Fiat 500 Abarth vs Ford Fiesta ST
The Ford Fiesta ST is marginally bigger and heavier than the 500 Abarth, offering a bit more cabin and trunk space for storage and slightly improved legroom. The Fiesta is also more powerful with a 1.6-liter inline-four turbocharged engine that produces 27 more horsepower and 32 lb-ft more torque than the 500 Abarth but is heavier at 2,720 pounds. The ST still offers better performance and is quicker to 60 mph and more eager to respond on the fly. It also handles more predictably, rides more comfortably, and around a track will shave seconds of whatever time the Abarth sets. Both vehicles offer similar city-oriented advantages and are somewhat equal in fuel economy. However, the ST will offer more on track days or even twisty roads than the 500 Abarth, hence making a decision based on outright performance will lead to the ST every time.
2018 Fiat 500 Abarth vs Volkswagen Beetle
While both vehicles exhibit attractive retro-styling and undeniably iconic looks, the VW Beetle adds a profusion of modernity to its interior which gives it a lead over the 500 Abarth's low-quality and simplistic layout. The Beetle is also vastly more spacious, based on the larger MQB platform, giving it greater passenger space and a larger trunk. It boasts a higher level of features, with the infotainment system in the upper-level trims offering the appreciated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, which the 500 Abarth does not. The Beetle's larger 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivers slightly more power and torque but isn't as fuel efficient as the 500 Abarth. The Beetle rides more comfortably with its raised suspension, never feeling overwrought, making it better for road trips than the Abarth. For inner-city driving, the 500 Abarth would be a suitable choice, but when it comes to comfort with extended drives, the Beetle will be the better option. Two boutique designer hatches, the 500 Abarth is the more theatrical and the Beetle the better commuter - the choice depends on what you want out of your car.