Used Abarth 500 2009-present review

The Abarth 500 is the little hot hatch that could. It may resemble its cutesy Fiat 500 cousin – Abarth uses that car as a basis – from a distance, but just a few minutes with it will show you that it's quite a different animal. Many will appreciate its madness, even if it isn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

It competes with rivals such as the Mini Cooper, Vauxhall Corsa VXR and Ford Fiesta ST. The 500 is at a disadvantage size-wise, but it does offer competitive performance – the kind you won't see from cars of a similar heft, like the Volkswagen Up GTI.

Speaking of power, the 500 only has one engine size, a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol. But, it can be had in various states of tune. When it was launched, the 500 came with 133bhp or 158bhp in the Esseese version. Later versions were rebadged 595 and came with three different equipment levels and three power outputs ranging from 143bhp to 178bhp. Then there was the ultra-expensive 695 Biposto that had 187bhp.

The standard car has all the essentials: air con, Bluetooth, seat height adjustment and electrically adjustable door mirrors. The 178bhp 595 Competizione from 2016 onwards adds climate control, Xenon headlights, auto-dipping rear view mirror, parking sensors, uprated suspension, bigger brakes, stickier tyres and a sports exhaust.

To drive, the 500 is quite rapid in town thanks to its powerful engines. However, out in more open country, it isn’t quite so comfortable. Being rather tall and narrow means that stiffer suspension and fat anti-roll bars need to be fitted to control body lean. This has an impact on the ride, which is very firm in the 500, and is made worse by some of the special editions with even stiffer springs fitted. The 500 isn’t particularly great in the bends either, tending to understeer more readily than rivals.

Space is also at a premium with the 500, and some of the ergonomics will infuriate. Like the seat height adjuster that’s impossible to use unless you open the door. To make up for that, the 500 has lots of uprated bits of interior decoration that really help give it a sporty feel. The outside has unique bumpers, alloy wheels and spoilers that make it look the part. Then there’s the exhaust that pops and crackles on the overrun to give the car a character all its own. Indeed, there’s a sense of occasion to the 500 that has a way of charming you.

If you're interested in buying a used Abarth 500, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.

The Abarth 500 starts at around £5000 for a high-mileage example with a full service history. If you up the budget to £6500-£7000, you will find plenty of newer, lower mileage examples, including some Esseese versions.

You'll need to £8500 to find a 595 from 2012. A 2016 595 Competitzione with less than 20,000 miles will set you back £14,000, or, if you’re interested in the special edition 695, then be prepared to pay £22,500 or more for one of these stripped out, high-performance examples.

A nearly new 595 will cost you upwards of £16,000.

Check the value of a used Abarth 500 with What Car? Valuations

Find a used Abarth 500 for sale here

MPG

Being a small car and having a relatively small engine means that fuel economy should be reasonable compared with the 500’s bigger rivals. Even the most powerful 187bhp 695 Biposto should do 45.9mpg and costs £150 to tax. Most models have a combined average of 47.1mpg and will set you back £135 per year to tax, though, those figures will plummet if you drive the 500 as it was intended to be driven.

Road tax

All cars registered after April 2017 will cost £155 per year to tax.

Servicing and insurance

Servicing costs should be relatively inexpensive thanks to long 18,000-mile service intervals. Insurance is a bit more expensive than it is for rivals, so make sure you get a quote before you commit to buying one. All but some limited edition cars occupy relatively low insurance groups.

The Abarth 500 has been around a while now, with plenty of improvements made throughout its life. For this reason, we’d suggest going for the newer 595 Competitzione with the 178bhp engine. It’s just as economical as the lower powered 1.4-litre engine and, once you’re past the small amount of turbo lag it does suffer from at low revs, it’s noticeably quicker.

The Competizione also comes with a number of upgrades to the chassis and brakes that improve the way the 500 drives. You also get a lot more equipment for your money, which is always a nice bonus.

Our favourite Abarth 500: 595 1.4 T-Jet Competizione

The Mini Cooper is a very well rounded car, with a smooth engine and excellent handling. However, it isn’t particularly quick, unless you go for the more expensive Cooper S and simply doesn’t have the character of the 500.

If you want a practical car that happens to be fast, the Ford Fiesta ST is a great option. The turbocharged 1.6-litre engine is very punchy; the handling is a joy and it practical enough for a small family. It’s cheap to run too with sensible insurance and fuel costs.

The Vauxhall Corsa VXR is a bit of monster power wise, with enough mid-range grunt to blow rivals into the weeds. In Nurburgring edition form (which comes with a limited slip differential at the front) it even handles rather well. It’s not as involving to drive as a Fiesta ST, or the Abarth 500, though.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

If you're interested in buying a used Abarth 500, or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site here.