Abarth 595 Hatchback Review 2023
The Abarth 595 Hatchback is a compact and sporty city car based on the Fiat 500. With its aggressive design and performance-based engine, the 595 Hatchback is perfect for those who want to drive around the city with a bit of a kick.
Rivals to the Abarth 595 Hatchback include the Ford Fiesta Hatchback, Mini Hatchback, Volkswagen Up Hatchback, and Hyundai i10.
Our Abarth 595 Hatchback review covers:
- Sports styling with large bumpers and a rear spoiler
- Well-built interior and decent tech
- 185-litre boot
- One 1.4-litre petrol engine
- Two trims: 595 and Turismo
Pros:
- Good handling
- Sounds great on the road
- Nice looking, sporty exterior
Cons:
- Interior needs to be updated
- Poor technology
- Not much safety technology
The Abarth 595 Hatchback looks extremely similar to the Fiat 500, albeit with a few sportier features. There's more muscle to the front and rear bumpers, a rear spoiler, and a fine-looking rear diffuser. It's a superb-looking car.
For a car that measures just 1,627mm in width and 3,360 in height, practicality is not the 595 Hatchback's strongest suit. However, adults sitting in the front have enough room to get comfortable, thanks to generous headroom. Less can be said for those in the back, who have to climb in behind the front seats and don't get much room for manoeuvre when back there.
Boot space comes in at 185 litres for the 595 Hatchback, which can be extended to 550 litres with the rear seats folded. This falls short of its rivals, such as the Mini Hatchback and Volkswagen Up Hatchback.
Inside the cabin, the 595 Hatchback has a nice feel to it. It's been beautifully designed, and you can tell it's been built to last. However, there are a few too many hard-touch materials, which isn't great given the 595 Hatchback's price.
You'll find a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the middle of the dash. It comes as standard with DAB radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a USB port. Although it's efficient and serves its purpose, it's not as advanced as the systems found in the Ford Fiesta Hatchback and Mini Hatchback.
Two trim levels are available: 595 and Turismo.
595 kicks off the line-up with 17-inch Montecarlo alloy wheels, LED lights, a sports steering wheel in leather and Alcantara with carbon fibre detailing, dark tinted windows, a rear parking sensor, a matt black dashboard, and Koni front and rear suspension with FSD technology.
Turismo adds to this with 17-inch Gran Turismo alloy wheels, xenon headlights, Abarth diamond leather seats, and a beats hi-fi audio system.
Under the bonnet, there's one 1.4-litre T-Jet petrol engine available. It comes paired with a five-speed automatic gearbox and returns a power output of 165bhp, which is one of the best in its class.
As a performance-based car, the 1.4-litre engine certainly lives up to the hype. It has a top speed of 135mph and achieves 0-62mph in just 7.4 seconds, which is remarkable considering the 595 Hatchback is a city car.
Turn on the engine, and the first thing you'll notice about the 595 Hatchback is the noise. The exhaust makes a really deep growl, which is fantastic for a four-cylinder. Be sure to wind down the windows when your next in a tunnel to make the most of it.
On the road, the 595 Hatchback's steering is sharp and transmits a good amount of feedback through the steering wheel. This means that as you up the speed on a country road, you can really trust where it's going.
The ride isn't as good. Even though the 595 Hatchback comes with sport suspension, it's not suited to British roads, and you can feel bumps and cracks in the road.
Prices for the new Abarth 595 Hatchback start from £25,634.00 OTR* or to lease from £200.48 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Abarth 595 Hatchback? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
