For Mini hot hatches don't come any more stylish than the 500 Abarth. It's fun to drive, too, and you get lots of luxury kit as standard

Against It's pricier than some rivals, and while it's fun to drive, it's not exactly polished. The ride is firm and the driving position feels awkward

Fiat 500 Hatchback

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

If you like a fun drive and retro styling, you'll love the 500 Abarth. If you're after a more polished and honed driving experience, though, the Renaultsport Twingo is better

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Key facts

0–60mph
7.9 secs
Top speed
128 mph
Average mpg
43.5
Tank range
335 miles
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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

You have the choice of five different engines in the 500, including the one in the hot Abarth version that sits at the top of the range. Although it’s brisk rather than stupidly fast, this is the most exciting car in the range to drive, thanks to its lower, stiffer suspension and weightier steering.

That’s in direct contrast to the cheaper versions, which are not so great on the road, thanks to their jittery ride and disappointing handling. Given that, we think the best versions are the cheaper ones, and the pick of the range is the cheapest, the 1.2 Pop.

It may not come with alloys or air-conditioning, but you can add those as options without reaching the overall price of the next-cheapest model in the range. It also has the added reassurance – as does every model in the range – of a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.

Reader test team says:

Fiat 500 Hatchback 0.9 Twinair Lounge S/S 3dr

I purchased this car new, in July this year after,…

Charles Smiles

5 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Lounge 3dr

The 500 is great fun. Steering is direct, gear…

Callum Peters

4 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Pop 3dr

I have owned this car since 2009 with 17 miles on…

Dale McMullen

3 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 Sport 3dr

I bought my Fiat 500 1.4 Sport in February and…

Kayleigh Jobes

4 out of 5 stars
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