Abarth 595 Competizione Review! A very Italian hot hatch - New Motoring

If you want a hot hatch you've got plenty of choice, with cars like the Ford Fiesta ST, Honda Civic Type R andVW Golf GTI. But if you want an Italian hot hatch, there's only one: the Abarth 595 Competizione. Abarth celebrated its 70th birthday in 2019, so we took the 595, essentially a fast Fiat 500, for a drive.
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[@mikerivers9634]

I'm a pensioner too technically but am still working delivering BMW's, Mercs etc. I bought an Abarth Competizione convertible end of Oct. Trust me, the car is fabulous. More fun than anything I've driven. I think because its quite small it accentuates the sensation of speed.The car is extremely nimble, needing only to 'think' it through corners. Acceleration is brutal and the ride is reassuringly firm but planted giving you so much confidence to drive with pace. Fiesta ST is nice of course but ultimately lacks the heritage the Abarth offers and has the usual messy Ford infotainment controls. If you remember the original Abarth from the 60's you'll know what I mean when I talk about heritage as you can see the evolution of the design. Best car I've ever had and driven. Get one.

[@login1226]

Also a pensioner 😊 just bought a new comp in Newcastle, drove home to W. London 300 miles. Love it ! I’ve owned 35cars and driven loads more, so far this is best apart from, maybe, Porsche 944 and mk2 golf GTI, it reminds me of my old XR2, The 595 outperforms all of course ,and looks great 👍

[@AutoVidzzz]

This is a really great review, and I mean your delivery and the things you talk about, the nuances of the car. Fiesta ST, on paper, of course. But look at this thing!! Listen to it!! 🤌🏼

[@avenger271]

Excellent review. Keep them coming.

[@newmotoring]

Thanks Ken! 😊

[@Ambienfinity]

Love it. Great review. I had a Panda, which was a brilliant car - but the Abarth is a fab little pocket rocket. Keep up the good work!

[@newmotoring]

Thank you so much, very kind. And the Panda is EPIC! Can’t go wrong with a Panda.

[@markbailey3508]

Just got my 595 after 5 years driving a 500 pop star then a 500 lounge. This is what hot hatches are about - FUN.

[@jamiep61]

Great Video Review. I particularly like the Blue Paint Colour

[@newmotoring]

The blue does look good!

[@greengrass9572]

Abarth wasn't dead in 1981. In the 80s there was the Fiat Strada 105 TC Abarth, 105 being the BHP, TC twin cam. There was also the more common 2.0L 130 TC Strada Abarth which was a hooligan and a Golf GTI eater. There was also the Punto Abarth of the 90s.

[@Shane4Bass]

I would bu y this. From what I've heard it is a great car to drive and I know that it sounds fantastic!

[@marcmulholland596]

I am getting one in red soon. These cars are actually reliable. Much more of an expensive feel than my existing 2015 Abarth 595 (also red) but the newish green colour is also very desirable. Definitely fun and an amazing looking car that gets noticed. Not as grown up as other hot hatches that come with more of the boring stuff as standard. Someone had modified their one to 330bhp which would be super fun on a race track but on British roads I don't see the point. 180 is plenty. I love it. Heart over head for me. Never really been into cars until I bought a Fiat 500 1.4 Sport in 2008. I don't imagine I will ever drive a car with a Fiat badge again.

[@karimtemri1664]

How is it?

[@marcmulholland596]

@@karimtemri1664 So far so good. Great/ fun on B roads/ big roundabouts 👍

[@tupapau1241]

Personally I made my choice and I bought a 595 Competizione 😋 much more fun to drive this ragefull scorpion than anything else! It's really what you expect of an Italian car. Noisy, ragefull, rapid with a italian character. When you push the sport bottom you really feel like you have a sport car in hand. The only bad things are the six gear missing (probably because of the space it would take to have a six speed gearbox) and the seat that you cannot adjust in hight. The rest is just perfect or you just don't care because it's so much fun and special to drive.

[@salto1994]

i have one, best car i've ever had. For the diff, i see a big difference when i have TTC on vs TTC off. i don't the mechanical diff on mine either

[@TobyRay45]

I have been obsessing about having one of these for about a year now. I'm from Dunedin NZ, as that is, it's usually very hard to find fun cars like this down here. Happily there's one at Armstrong Prestige. What i'm wondering is would it be usable as a every day driver (friends, Family etc) having more than one or 2 people. whats the leg room like for the people sitting in the back seat?

[@anthonydeas2173]

Hey my friend, I have a 595 turismo which is slightly down on power to this one.. (About 20bhp less) I have it as a daily driver, and its pretty much perfect for me. I mostly drive on my own, but when I've had a passenger its been fine, front and back.. Its a little scamp, and quite a firm ride.. The comp will be even harsher as its got koni springs all round.... However its bloody brilliant fun. Small, grippy, good exhaust note.. The turismo is a bit more luxurious than the comp, with leather seats and climate control. So it depends what u want.. But whatever one you go for, make sure you press the sport button when you get going as it sharpens up the steering and throttle response and it's much more fun than in regular mode.. Hope that helps.. Any thing else just ask :)

[@callumjenks6202]

I think little things like the seat adjuster people shouldnt complain adjust it when you get in its a tiny car good review

[@johns14a]

Good review, as always. Car not my thing though.

[@newmotoring]

Thanks very much! And a fast Fiat isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

[@raymondhunt6109]

Ray Hunt I am a pensioner and love driving, I am thinking of getting a 595 a normal 500 is too slow do you think I am crazy as the 595 seems a young man's car.

[@joshua029ll7]

No Ray! Get the car you want to drive. Who cares if it's a 'young man's car' it's all about smiles per miles.

[@raymondhunt6109]

Thanks for the advice just got to convince the wife !

[@tanglewood777]

@@raymondhunt6109 am 60 luv mine brill

[@markclewes-hx9vk]

You not too old I’m 58 had an uno turbo back in 1988 That was a rocket should never have sold Now full circle what goes around comes around It’s 2023,now just bought a mint 2020 comp 180 with 6300 on the clock I’m a happy man!!!!

[@MrSunnyBhoy]

Nice small car, but I have never rated fiat as feel they're very unreliable. I have a i30n performance :)

[@newmotoring]

i30N - a fine choice! 👏

[@tanglewood777]

unreliable your talking about 80s 90s cars surly

[@anthonydeas2173]

I have a 595, had a regular 500 before and pretty much perfect...

[@tanglewood777]

how is it the same as normal 500 inside and a bit faster ffs you aint got a clue its same power as st feista and lighter and slitly quiker than the feista st to 60 dont do reviews when you aint done your homework

[@newmotoring]

Having lived with an ST for a few months, I know this particular Abarth wasn’t as good as a Fiesta ST. Not bad and certainly a laugh (the exhaust is silly fun 😂), but not as good overall.