Abarth 595 2018 review
- Price N/A
What we like
- Good engine/chassis combo
- Surprising grip levels
- Unusual
What we don't
- Terrible driving position
- Ride not great around town
- No reversing camera
Since 1949, Abarth has been giving the venerable Italian brand, Fiat, a patina of performance, based largely on giant-killing feats in small modified cars like the Fiat 600 of the 1960s.
More recently, the brand has been revived to boost the fortunes of the smallest Fiat on sale in Australia. Known formally as the Abarth 595, the tiny hatch packs a bit of a surprise under its distinctive snout.
Verdict
It’s tough to be kind to the Abarth 595. Based on a platform that’s more than a decade old, the car has been left behind by its rivals in many ways, including basic ergonomics and its value equation.
The larger engine does work well in this smaller package, and its road-holding ability belies its size. However, only die-hard fans of the Abarth brand will be able to cope with the uncomfortable seating position and a complete lack of even the most perfunctory features that cars costing $10,000 less are able to offer.
Could you look past the Abarth 595's foibles? Let us know in the comments below.
Abarth 595 2018 review
What we like
- Good engine/chassis combo
- Surprising grip levels
- Unusual
What we don't
- Terrible driving position
- Ride not great around town
- No reversing camera
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