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For It's the cheaper of the two Abarth models – by quite a way – and it doesn't miss anything in luxury kit compared to the more expensive Esseesse version.

Against You don't get quite as much performance as you do in the Esseesse version.

Fiat 500 Hatchback

What Car? says

3 out of 5 stars

This is the Abarth you want. OK, it's not as fast as the Esseesse, but it's plenty quick enough and it's thousands cheaper.

What Car? readers say

4.405406


Key facts

0–60mph
7.9 secs
Top speed
128 mph
Average mpg
43.5
Tank range
335 miles
See all running costs

View the whole Fiat 500 Hatchback range

Read in full

The full Fiat 500 review


Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

There’s a wide range of engines to choose from, plus a few trims, but there’s no need to look any further down the pricelist than the entry-level car. The 1.2 Pop has enough performance to keep most drivers happy, and being the most basic trim, purchase prices are very reasonable.

Yes, it’s a little basic; you don’t get alloys, air-conditioning or stability control. However, you can add all these features for significantly less money than it costs you to step up to Lounge trim.

Discounts are small on the 500, because it's a desirable little car, with Fiat UK selling all it can import. There's scope to extensively personalise your car, with different roof colours and paint schemes to choose from, plus a series of sticker kits, decals and graphics. There are also frequent special editions to look out for, even if some of them are ridiculously pricey.

Reader test team says:

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 T-Jet Abarth 3dr

This is our 2nd 500. An Abarth, we had a 1.2 Sport before (reviewed here 18/01/09). We got well over 50% of the purchase price back after 4 years, a…

Jason Cole

4 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 T-Jet Abarth 3dr

We have just replaced a 500 Twinair with an Abarth. The TA was writtebn off in a big accident and we walked away and so we wanted another car that was…

Richard Hargrave

5 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500 Hatchback 0.9 Twinair Lounge S/S 3dr

We bought a 500 Twinair Lounge to replace an elderly Alfa 147. We wanted something cheap to run before upgrading in a year or two. It was brilliant…

Richard Hargrave

5 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Pop 3dr

This is not specific to the 500. It applies as well to the New Panda, the New Punto and a number of other cars. WHATCAR has recently come up with a…

NICK PAPA

3 out of 5 stars
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