Summary
The Abarth 124 Spider was a performance model based on the Fiat 124 Spider, which in turn is based on the Mazda MX-5. It was launched in Summer 2016 and discontinued in 2019.
Along with the Fiat version, the Abarth 124 Spider was only in production for about three years before being discontinued in the wake of low sales and the development costs required to meet new emissions regulations.
The Abarth 124 Spider received mixed scores from the UK motoring media, ranging from average to outstanding. It was praised for its driving dynamics and improvements over the original Mazda MX-5 base, but was criticised for being significantly more expensive than its Fiat and Mazda relatives.
As of April 2024, the Abarth 124 Spider has a Used Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 65%.
Key specifications
Body style: Small roadster
Engine: petrol
Price when new: From £29,780
Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: –
Discontinued: Spring 2019
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
Auto Express
Score: 10 / 10
“The Abarth 124 Spider is the best ‘MX-5’ you can buy. The beefed-up looks and extra power play a part in this verdict, but the Abarth’s party trick is the Record Monza exhaust system, which creates a symphony of noise.”
Read review
Model reviewed: Manual (2017)
Score: 10 / 10
“The Abarth 124 roadster left us a little cold with an auto box, but it’s a different story with the superb manual version.”
Read review
Auto Trader
Score: 6.8 / 10
“The Abarth 124 Spider takes the sports car that Fiat created and ekes out more power and enjoyment. It’s not perfect, but if you can live with its foibles and don’t mind paying over the odds, then you’ll find it a lot of fun.”
Read review
Autocar
Score: 8 / 10
“Ultimately, we like its chutzpah but prefer the Mazda as a pure driver’s car, which is why the Abarth is fourth on our top five list behind the Lotus Elise Sport, Toyota GT86 and the Mazda MX-5.”
Read review
Car
Score: 8 / 10
“A 2.0 TFSI Audi TT will surely out-grip the Abarth but can’t touch it for driving satisfaction or emotional clout. The Germans is a more rounded products, more versatile. But if you find yourself really wanting to own an Abarth 124 Spider instead, we don’t blame you.”
Read review
Car Keys
Score: 8 / 10
“Although it’s less coherent than its Mazda MX-5 rival and it makes less business sense as well, some will like the Abarth 124’s bold styling, others will like the auto option, while others still will like the turbocharged engine, the noise, the whatever.”
Read review
Carbuyer
Score: 8 / 10
“The Abarth 124 Spider is fantastic fun to drive, while it looks and sounds great, but you need to accept a small boot and tight cockpit.”
Read review
Carwow
Score: 7 / 10
“The Abarth 124 Spider takes Fiat’s simple sportscar recipe and adds a pinch of chilli to the mix. It’s faster, louder and looks sportier but all these tasty extras cost… well, extra.”
Read review
Daily Mail
Score: 6 / 10
“If you are hellbent on acquiring a fairly decent but slightly weird-looking open-top two-seater, primarily because it sounds a bit sexy and sports that legendary Abarth badge, then go for it.”
Read review
Evo
Score: 8 / 10
“Abarth’s take on the Fiat 124 is probably the best ‘MX-5’ yet.”
Read review
Heycar
Score: 8 / 10
“The Abarth 124 is the best MX-5 that isn’t actually an MX-5. There’s plenty of power, lots of touches that let you know you’re driving something special and a drive that offers a lot. Well worth considering over the more familiar MX-5.”
Author: Andrew Brady
Read review
Honest John
Score: 8 / 10
“The Abarth 124 won’t be for everyone, but if you appreciate aggressive styling and a thunderous soundtrack then this angry, shouting soft-top will have lots of appeal.”
Read review
Motors.co.uk
Score: 8 / 10
“The Abarth 124 Spider provides aggressive styling and a fantastic sound from its Monza exhaust. There’s plenty of power from its 1.4-litre turbocharged engine and it’s great to drive. However, it’s expensive, so all that fun does come at a price.”
Read review
Parkers
Score: 8.8 / 10
“Big thrills and sharp looks, but little in the way of practicality.”
Read review
The Sunday Times
Score: 10 / 10
“The perfect blend of DNA.”
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“It’s got a wide spread of power, it’s a good-natured daily driver and looks and feels suitably sporty. But for the amount Abarth is charging, the 124 Spider isn’t good value.”
Read review
What Car?
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s worth remembering that for not much more than the Abarth you can have an Audi TT Roadster that is much more spacious, plusher insider and cheaper to run.”
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
No safety rating
The Abarth 124 Spider was never crash tested by Euro NCAP during its production life. The Mazda MX-5 upon which it’s based was tested in 2015 and was awarded a four-star rating, but this score does not transfer to either the Fiat 124 or the Abarth 124 models.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Abarth 124 Spider was never lab tested for emissions and pollution levels by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of April 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Abarth 124 Spider to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the 124 Spider, we’ll publish the results here.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
No data yet
As of April 2024, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Abarth 124 Spider. Check back again soon.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Abarth 124 Spider, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alpine A110 | Audi TT | BMW Z4 | Fiat 124 Spider | Lotus Elise | Mazda MX-5 | Mini Convertible | Toyota GT86
Buy a used Abarth 124 Spider
If you’re looking for a used 124 Spider, visit The Car Expert’s partners to see what they have available
Search less, live more. We make finding the right car simple. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Car subscriptions
If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help (What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from Mycardirect.
Find out more
Car subscriptions from Wagonex.
Find out more
Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
Find out more