What does it cost?
For There's no faulting the ultimate performance or the amount of standard kit you get
Against The suspension is too stiff for UK roads, and because the engine's power delivery is too peaky, the Esseesse is not as much fun as the regular Abarth
What Car? says
The regular Abarth is a cracking little hot hatch, but this Esseesse model is just too extreme for the UK. Save your money and buy the standard car
What Car? readers say
4.457143
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Esseesse 3dr full review
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Performance
The regular 500 Abarth's turbocharged 1.4 can dish out 133bhp, but with this Esseesse upgrade, the engine's wick is turned up even further to 157bhp. You might expect enough performance to out-run a hot hatch, but sadly that’s not the case because the power delivery is too peaky. The standard Abarth is more fun.
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Ride & Handling
Although the regular 500 Abarth is plenty of fun, this Esseesse version is anything but. It’s even stiffer than the standard car, and it’s a step too far. Uncomfortable even in town, the suspension makes every road seem corrugated, and it can be nerve-racking on country roads because you’re never sure you won’t be jolted off-line.
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Refinement
As pocket rockets go, the Abarth is surprisingly quiet. The engine sounds good when you're giving it plenty, and settles down nicely on the motorway. There's a bit of wind- and road noise, but it won't annoy you. The gearshift will, though, because it's clumsy and inaccurate, and it’s the same story with the steering and pedals.
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Buying & Owning
The regular Abarth is quite a bit pricier than some of its main rivals, so this Esseesse version (which costs £2500 more) looks very expensive indeed. To make matters worse, its residuals aren’t expected to be as strong as the standard Abarth’s. At least the running costs aren't outrageous, although the relatively high insurance grouping might put off some younger buyers.
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Quality & Reliability
The materials used to construct the 500's cabin aren't exactly dazzling, but they're good enough that they don't ruin the classy impression created by the interior’s flashy design. Everything seems solidly bolted together, too. However, Fiat's reliability is shaky at best, and the company’s dealers don't have the best reputation for customer service.
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Safety & Security
The Abarth doesn't miss much in the safety stakes. To help you avoid getting yourself in a pickle, stability control and anti-skid brakes are provided. If a pickle is unavoidable, there are seven airbags to minimise the damage to you and your passengers. Deadlocks and an immobiliser should make life more awkward for thieves, too.
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Behind The Wheel
You won't have any trouble finding or using any of the functions on the dashboard, because everything is clearly laid out and well marked. The design looks very flash, too, with a turbo boost gauge on the top. Unfortunately, the driving position might bother you. You sit up very high, which detracts from the car's sporty feel, and the footrest for your clutch foot feels uncomfortably high.
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Space & Practicality
It's still a Fiat 500, so the Abarth is never going to be the roomiest car in the world. Space up front is fine, but the two rear seats don't give passengers a lot of head- or legroom. The boot isn't huge, but it's bigger than you get in some of the Abarth's major rivals. You have to pay extra for a split-folding rear seat, too.
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Equipment
The Esseesse reflects its steep price by providing piles of luxury kit. You get alloy wheels, front foglights, air-conditioning, electric front windows, remote locking, leather-covered controls and a Bluetooth phone connection. Options include sat-nav, climate control, leather upholstery and a range of different paint finishes and decals.
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Our pick of the range
Fiat 500 Hatchback 1.2 Pop S/S 3dr
Overall, this is our favourite 500, but you might want to save a bit harder and go for the Sport, as it brings the bits and pieces you might want to add.
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