Abarth, Fiat 500

Abarth, Fiat 500 makes sense as the hot-hatch take on Fiat’s small city car, with Abarth adding the firmer suspension, sharper steering, and louder personality that fans of the badge expect. By our assessment, the appeal is that it turns the gentle 500 into something much more playful on a short road or in a tight city gap. The downside is the usual Abarth trade-off: ride comfort and practicality give way to a stiffer, noisier, more focused setup. In practice it feels like a compact performance car that wants bends and quick reactions more than relaxed commuting. Compared with a standard Fiat 500, it sits on the enthusiastic end of the small-car scale, while bigger hot hatches offer more room and calmer cruising. It is a lively little car, but not the choice for anyone who wants softness first.