2019 Fiat 500 Abarth – Who Ya Callin' Cute?

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The #Fiat500 has always been a cute little urban runabout but for the performance #500Abarth, #Fiat turned up the wick on the turbocharged multiair 1.4L engine to 160 HP and 184 lb-ft of torque on the manual transmission models. A lowered suspension, upgraded wheels/tires, and one of the most rambunctious exhaust sounds you'll ever hear, the #Abarth version of the #500 could very well be one of the loudest factory cars you can get for under $25,000.

[Jackal_Blitz]

Sofyan keeps calling the car cute, like we're not going to notice his adorable widdle wacing outfit! 🤭

[Jameo-ctxy]

60 yo man here and I drive a 2017 Abarth and I love it . I was doing 95 on my test drive and it handled like a dream . Would have gone faster but this guys brother must have been my salesperson . This car puts a smile on my face the moment I get behind the wheel . Unlike this guy I am not afraid of my Abarth .We see a car twenty miles ahead, take it as a personel challenge to pass it, lol .

[keiy.]

I don't know how people are complaining about a stiff factory ride. I drove it 2, 500 miles across the country for a move, and I did it in heels without problems and it was absolutely acceptable in comfort. As flawed as the car is on creature features or perceived luxury, the driving experience makes up for the hard plastic (who spends time caressing soft touch dashes or A-pillars anyways?!) and weird window switch placement. I've only used the radio once to verify it works, and it's been off ever since because it's so fun to row gears in this car, even putting around town.

I guess some of the boys here are getting old and cranky and can't fit into, or enjoy small fun cars like the Abarth, or Elise, or Caterhams. I even laugh when people complain they can't fit into the wonderfully bolstered Recaro seats in the Fiesta ST. It's no wonder the American market is so hard to sell sports cars to, and the take rate on manuals is abysmal here. People complain that they want a stick option, but no one buys them, and some of those that do end up complaining about lack of auto-rev matching nanny assists.

You were at a driving school and should have been informed about snappy lift-off oversteer in a front engine, FWD car. It's especially prominent in the 500 that has an even worse front-rear weight distribution than most FWD cars. Most people who tune will stiffen the rear spring rate and add a tuneable front anti-sway bar to stabilize it for a more favorable front roll center and to keep the rear end planted under more advanced track situations, like threshold braking or trail braking. I have Bilstein B8's on the rears and lowered the back an inch (the car is actually raked from the factory, with a higher rear end) and it's helped the handling along with weight reduction at the front of the car. This car is reasonably capable given it's envelope limitations, and it is absolutely enjoyable to drive at non-illegal AND illegal speeds.

[SIGINT]

Drive the car, man...you were driving like you were afraid of it

[JT-fqbl]

Ah, exhaust porn. The 500 Abarth and Veloster N have the best exhaust noise for less than $30k

[Dvasqz]

I drove an abarth once and it was surprisingly fun. Not fast but really fun. Especially with the windows down and at full throttle, it sounded so good.

[edgardoamado]

That’s what the civic type r should sound like.

[joyceanderson]

I have 5speed turbo 500 and love it! Take everywhere, even long road trips. To see people’s faces when I pass on hills is hilariously

[michelebicc]

The European model has HID headlamps, Led tail lights and an upgraded infotainment system. FCA should have changed also this US model

[icky_thump]

I can feel the frustration from the guy behind you. lmao

[macrichardson]

So we have owned 3 Fiat 500 cars. Two Abarths we still own one Abarth. The car is a Blast to drive, total fun total bad ass fast. That is the good part. Now for the bad stuff. DON'T buy this car for any other reason than its just plain fun to drive. It is WAY over priced for what you get. There are plenty of other vehicles in the same pricepoint that offer much more features and quality. The car is all plastic which is fine FOR WHAT IT IS. You will get noticed especially with the exhaust. We do wake up the neighbors in the morning backing out of the garage, but then again, he is elderly and would sleep all day if we did not use our Abarth as his alarm clock. The worst thing about this vehicle is the depreciation. As stated, we have owned 3 of them. Expect to lose 50% of its value right off the top. Each time we traded one of ours in what we were offered was just maddening. For a vehicle to start off being so rediculously overpriced, the opposing end should be somewhat reflective of that. I bought my Abarth used and saved about 10, 000. It was a year old and apparently the parents purchased it for their teenage son and he got so many tickets, they made him get rid of it. His loss, my gain as it was in literally new condition. But expect to pay 32-36, 000 for a new one which is insane because of the total lack of technology, cheap materials and again, its financial disability. BUY this car ONLY IF YOU LOVE DRIVING and the money factor is way down on your list. Stop listening to old people telling you their history of "fiats used to be crap, it breaks constantly blah blah blah). This is 2019 all of our Fiats never broke, we never had them in for any repairs beyond oil change etc. The cars are pure and simple FUN and F A S T .

[theafricanjumbee]

Stop video at 4:42 to comment. That exhaust sound. No freaking way. Love it!!

[patrickzeising]

I've owned many cars, hot rods, muscle cars bought my abarth a few years back really love this car, it's quick and comfy for a tiny car.much more so than my mini.

[lilgunfighter]

You guys are getting a rough deal in the States! In the UK I have a 2018 Abarth 595 (500 to you guys) which comes with Sabelt bucket seats, real carbon fibre interior trim, a Garrett turbo putting out 180bhp, quad exit Milli Magnilia valved exhaust, Koni FSD shocks with Eibach springs and the new updated front/rear cant understand why you still get the old model

[raidersamson]

I was lucky to drive the Abarth once, it brought a smile to my face. Very fun car!

[ThrottleNeck]

How dare you call my car cute!!
Good video though and I'm glad you liked it. I bought a used one two years ago with a Madness ECU tune in it and do not regret it.

[pe]

I had the 135hp manual Abarth
Is a pocket rocket! 🚀💪
One of the most fun cars I ever had

[tomf]

Great video. This is one car I would love to own based on the fun factor. It has the best 4 cylinder exhaust note on the planet.

[MrVroom]

My colleague has one of these. She's got a custom exhaust that pops & bangs like a war zone & has it tuned to 195bhp & 320lb ft of torque! She has the manual.

[gavrielperez]

This guy isn't a novice at racing he's a novice at driving. The abarth is awesome.