Used Abarth 500 Buyers Guide
Engines and transmissions
During its production, the Abarth 500 was only available with a petrol engine, front-wheel drive, and a manual or automatic gearbox.
Petrol
- 1.4-litre engine outputs 135bhp for a 0-60mph time of 7.6 seconds with a fuel economy rating of 47mpg.
- 140bhp variant also available that achieves 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds and a 48mpg rating.
- Essesse boosts power to 160bhp for a 0-60mph time that matches the higher-powered MINI Cooper S and has a rating of 43.4mpg.
- 180bhp variant available for maximum power.
Practicality
The Abarth 500 isn't a large car, but it is still accommodating in the front to taller passengers, making it great for city driving.
Interior space
Adults fit comfortably in the front seats with plenty of adjustments available. Rear seat can be tight for adults, but children fit well. Electric windows and air conditioning were standard on newer models.
Boot space
- 185-litre boot matches that of the Fiat 500.
- Rear seats can fold down to increase the boot space in select models.
Bodystyles
- Original supermini hot-hatch bodystyle was the most readily available.
- Convertible with a soft top was also made available during its lifetime.
Safety
- Euro NCAP hasn't provided a specific crash testing on the Abarth 500, but the Fiat model on which it was based received three out of five stars.
- Standard kit includes seven airbags, hill start assist and electronic stability control.
Technology
- 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster was available on select models.
- 7.0-inch touchscreen display was available in the later years.
- Connectivity was available through USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Generations
Fiat released the Abarth variant of the 500 in 2008 as a high-performance sub-brand. This model had similar styling to the Fiat 500, except it was more aerodynamic and had a sportier look. It has since made way for the Abarth 500e electric model, the hatchback did receive several upgrades to the technology, comfort features and styling. A soft-top convertible variant was also released during its lifetime.
