They say fun comes in small packages, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to micro hot hatches like the Fiat Abarth 500. We look at the latest model by the Italian company to see how it stacks up against the competition and ask: how easy are they to live with?
Pound for pound, nothing in the automotive world provides as much bang for your buck as a tiny hot hatch. Relatively cheap to buy in relation to the performance they offer, these fast and furious pocket rockets are guaranteed to put a smile on your face every time you throw one into a tight corner or a sweeping bend.
Let's take a closer look at the Fiat Abarth 500.
Fiat Abarth 500 - A Terrier With Pedigree
Few fill the brief of pocket rocket as convincingly as the Fiat 500 Abarth. It has an intoxicating exhaust note, it’s relatively fast, grips and handles well, and has all the body kit add-ons a spotty boy racer could wish for.
Launched in 2008, the retro-inspired Abarth range was given a facelift and new model names in 2016. The diminutive Abarth’s 1.4 turbo engine now offers a range of power outputs, from 140bhp to 162bhp, all the way up to the Competizione model with 177bhp. In terms of acceleration, the basic model reaches 0-60mph in just under eight seconds, while the 162bhp 595 shaves half a second off that.
But scooting along in one is so much more than just about acceleration. The nimble Abarth 500 darts around corners with all the aplomb of a puppy on steroids, and it does it in true theatrical style thanks to the delightful snap-crackle-pop soundtrack of its exhaust.
However, together with its rivals, the Abarth suffers from a bone-jarring ride that makes it hard to live with on a day-to-day basis. It’s also cramped in the rear, but as this is clearly a driver-focused car, you can always ask friends and relatives to take the coach for longer journeys.
Mini Cooper S - A Natural Rival
The heel-snapping Abarth faces stiff competition from an equally retro-inspired rival, the Mini Cooper S. And now that the Fiat is no longer sold in the U.S. this is where to start looking if you want a brand new, small hot hatch.
Now in its third-generation, the Cooper S has swelled considerably in size since it was first launched 20 long years ago when the Mk1 was fitted with a 1.6 turbo-charged engine. It’s now 135lb heavier, 7.6 inches longer, and two inches wider.
On the upside, the dual-clutch transmission has received rave reviews for its slick smoothness. It also has a 2.0-liter four-pot with 178bhp on tap that propels it from standstill to 60mph in a shade under seven seconds. Although it feels like a quality product, it’s still quite pricey at $26,900, given that you pay extra for every conceivable accessory.
Despite the increase in size, the latest Cooper S still feels cramped in the rear, although there’s a more grown-up look and feel compared to the Abarth, which should make it easier to live with in the long run.
Fiesta ST – A Pleasant Surprise
Despite its rather anodyne looks, the Fiesta ST is, in fact, a highly accomplished hot hatch, capable of upstaging both the Mini and the Abarth in the performance stakes. For a start, it can sprint from 0 to 60mph in 6.5 seconds, thanks to a very efficient - and thrifty - 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that pumps out 200bhp.
An optional performance pack that includes a unique limited-slip differential and super-sticky Michelin tires guarantees prodigious grip, but even without it, the ST still does an excellent job of sticking to the road.
There's a downside, though. While it’s no surprise that the ride is jittery, the steering has come in for criticism, with reviewers saying there’s an odd, self-centering feel that mars the driving experience.
The latest ST has undergone some revisions and now has a better interior, but there’s no getting away from its humdrum styling, which lacks the charm of both the Cooper S and the Abarth 500.
The Best Of The Rest
Depending on where in the world you live, you can also opt for any of the Abarth’s other rivals. They include the Volkswagen up! GTI which despite its truly cringe-worthy name is actually a very entertaining hot hatch.
Its tiny 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine may only develop 114bhp, but as it’s a light vehicle, it more than holds its own on highways, and like its immediate rivals, it’s tremendous fun around corners. Its larger stablemate, the Polo GTI, is now equipped with a big 2.0-liter engine after Volkswagen ditched the unreliable 1.4 unit, which was known for consuming engine oil like a container ship.
By contrast, the Suzuki Swift Sport has a lot going for it. With its miniesque-inspired roof and 1.4-liter 129bhp engine, it’s in the same class as the 500 Abarth and the Mini Cooper S, yet offers bags more legroom and standard kit – are you listening BMW? This includes a reverse camera, cruise control, and metallic paint.
More importantly, it’s highly nimble and handles just as brilliantly round corners, even if it’s clearly not as fast, as it takes about two seconds longer to reach 0-60mph.
Which one to choose? If you’re a sucker for automotive history and have a romantic attachment to motor-racing heritage, then either the Abarth or the Mini, with their admittedly hazy links to Ferrari and Cooper, will do.
They’re both a blast to drive and will put a big smile on your face, even if it means paying extra visits to your chiropractor.
It would be foolish to ignore the Fiesta ST, the up! GTI and the Suzuki Swift Sport, though. All three may look less desirable, but you'll have just as much fun – just take it easy when driving over bumps.