Name: Abarth 595 (2015 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Abarth 595
Rating: 42.0

Table of contents – Abarth 595

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Summary

The Abarth 595 is a performance model based on the Fiat 500 city car. It is available in either hatchback or cabriolet (Abarth 595C) body styles. The current model dates back to 2007, although it was given a substantial update in 2015.

The petrol versions of the Abarth 500 (the 595 and 695) are very different to the all-new Abarth 500e electric model. The 500e is a completely different vehicle, which means that the current Abarth 595 (and 695) will be the last of their kind.

The petrol Abarth models are continuing in production alongside the new electric 500e, but this is inevitably going to end at some point. As of August 2024, we have no indication of when that end will come.

There are various versions of the Abarth 595, as well as several limited-edition models over its lifetime. These include the Abarth 595 Turismo, 595 Pista, 595 Competizione and 595 Esseesse. The higher-performance Abarth 695 is the next step up in the Abarth range, but that is covered on its own page.

The Abarth 595 is very much a car that you would buy with your heart rather than your head. As of August 2024, its poor overall New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of just 43%, reflects its obvious shortcomings as a practical vehicle and relatively high price tag. Despite that, the 595 has received much praise for being great fun to drive.

595 highlights

Alluring sporty looks
Plenty of driver appeal
Punchy performance

595 lowlights

Three-star safety rating
Alternatives are more practical
Rigid ride comfort

Key specifications

Body style: Small three-door hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £21,325 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2015
Last updated: Spring 2022
End of production: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert+

Model reviewed: 595 esseesse
“As something to simply give you a bit of a laugh behind the wheel of, the Abarth 595 Esseesse is a compelling option. Its raucous exhaust note and brutal engine are particular highlights, and it has the head-turning looks that makes it so popular with Instagram influencers if that’s your thing.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview (595 and 695)
Score: 6 / 10
“The Abarth 595 is a racy hot hatchback with the sweet looks of the iconic city car – but a firm ride lets it down”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback
Score: 5.5 / 10
“Great little car!”
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Model reviewed: Esseesse
Score: 6 / 10
“Climb aboard the 595 Esseesse and the first thing you’ll notice are those new leather trimmed Sabelt bucket seats.”
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Auto Trader+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Abarth 595 is definitely not without its flaws – pricey, short on safety kit, hard ride – but it delivers a raucously fun driving experience. While most city cars opt for comfort and economy, the Abarth 595 is a very nippy car which keeps its retro, stylish looks, but adds a big dose of aggression.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“This raucous little Fiat adheres to the golden rule of warm hatches: put a broad smile on the driver’s face.”
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Model reviewed: Esseesse
Score: 7 / 10
“For starters, it really does look good, its white wheels and Abarth graphics giving it real pugnacious kerb appeal.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Whether or not you should buy an Abarth 595 depends an awful lot on your willingness to make sacrifices. If you can live without the latest technology and don’t regularly need to transport household appliances, I’d say it’s well worth a look. You’ll struggle to find anything else in its class that’s as entertaining to drive.” (Luke Wilkinson)
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Model reviewed: 595C Competizione Cabriolet
Score: 8 / 10
“The Abarth 595C Competizione is one of those cars that makes little logical sense, but nevertheless brightens the automotive landscape – the kind of car that inspires a nod of respect whenever you pass someone enamoured enough to have put down the funds.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 595 esseesse
Score: 8 / 10
“If you want a characterful and fun hot hatch, the Abarth brand more than delivers.”
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Model reviewed: 595C Turismo Cabriolet
Score: 8 / 10
“While it mightn’t be the fastest or the best-driving small hot hatch out there, the Abarth 595 Turismo more than makes up for it with its big personality, the fact that it makes a big noise and the fact that it feels like a genuine sports car in a dinky Matchbox-style package.”
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Abarth 595 is a sporty hatchback based on the Fiat 500 that is characterful and fun to drive.”
Author: Andy Goodwin
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Model reviewed: 595C Cabriolet
Score: 6.4 / 10
“The Abarth 595C isn’t the best car in its class, but it can claim to be the one with the most character”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: 595C Cabriolet
Score: 6 / 10
“The Abarth 595C is one of the only small hot hatches on sale which comes with a folding fabric roof. It’s great fun to drive, but its cramped cabin means it isn’t all that easy to live with.”
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Model reviewed: 595 Hatchback
Score: 6 / 10
“There’s nothing shy or retiring about the way the Abarth 595 looks and drives, but other small hot hatches are roomier inside and easier to live with.”
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Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 595 Competizione
“This is a baby car with a menacing growl. The very head-turning bark on start-up is completely out of kilter with the cute Fiat 500 on which it’s based. In this spec you have a small car with a 180hp 1.4-litre engine, which is plenty. Especially when it sounds like a touring car.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed: Esseesse
Score: 7 / 10
“Objectively compromised, but subjectively a hugely likeable hot hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Low on sophistication, high on fun – Abarth’s hatch isn’t for everyone, but some will love it.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Abarth 595 is a raw little car that delivers a big hit of fun and driving thrills. You only need to hear the noise it makes when you turn the key to start the engine to know it’s a little bit special. After all, why have a pint-sized hot hatch if it’s not going to make you smile every time you get in it?”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: 595 hatchback range
Score: 6 / 10
“The Abarth 595, created by Fiat’s in house tuning arm, turned the cute and fashionable Fiat 500 into a storming little hot hatch with the requisite sporty looks as well as more power.”
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Model reviewed: 595C Cabriolet
Score: 6 / 10
“It’s certainly quick enough on the move and has a real buzzy feel about it. Thanks to the sports exhaust pipes, there’s also suitably raspy exhaust note when you accelerate, something which can be even more appreciated with the roof down.”
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Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: 595 and 695
Score: 6 / 10
“In isolation, there’s much to like about the Abarth 595. It looks great and is fun to chuck about… but is also pricey and old.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6.4 / 10
“Stylish and exciting, but not for everyone”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 595 Turismo
Score: 6 / 10
“Huge fun, tiny package”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“An addictive little begger that is much better than its list of failings would have you believe.”
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 4 / 10
“The Abarth 595 is startlingly quick and wonderfully stylish, but there are rivals that are both cheaper and better to drive.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: March 2017
Date expired: January 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 66%
Child protection: 49%
Vulnerable road users: 53%
Safety assist: 27%

Note on safety rating
The Abarth 595’s safety rating is assessed on the regular Fiat 500 model range, upon which the Abarth 595 is based.

The Fiat 500 was crash tested by Euro NCAP back in 2017 and awarded a sub-par three-star rating. However, this rating expired in January 2024 and is no longer valid as the car no longer meets the standards required for such a rating. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

Although the rating has now expired, the score is still useful if you are comparing a used Abarth 595 to vehicles of similar age – whose ratings will have probably also expired.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of August 2024, the Abarth 595 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. It’s unlikely to ever happen, given that the 595 is now a very old car and a niche model at best, but if it does put through the Green NCAP lab testing programme then we’ll publish the results here.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 13
Average repair cost: £623.42
Last updated: August 2024

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of August 2024, the Abarth 500 family (including both the 595 and 695) has a better-than-average reliability score of 76%, according to reliability data provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.

It should be noted that the scores above are based on a relatively small number of vehicles to date, however the overall data is quite similar to the regular Fiat 500 range so it can be taken with a reasonable degree of confidence.

Engine repairs have been notably more expensive than other areas for the 595 to date, so make sure any used car warranty you purchase covers that.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	40 mpg	D	39 – 40 mpg	D – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	156 g/km	B	153 – 171 g/km	B – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	29	C	27 – 32	B – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£196	A
Year 2	£527	B
Year 3	£859	B
Year 4	£1,074	B
Year 5	£1,456	B
Overall	£4,112	B

The Abarth 595 has a mixed bag when it comes to running costs, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

The hatchback’s insurance premiums are about average when compared to the rest of the market, while servicing and maintenance costs are excellent over the course of five years of ownership.

Fuel consumption, however, isn’t great, which drags down the 595’s running cost score as it’s the biggest recurring cost item of most cars.

Recalls

Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Abarth 500 range

Date: September 2022
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/202
Number of vehicles affected: 1
Defect: Vehicles may have been produced with ineffective/incorrect tightening of a lock nut on the steering gear rod.
Remedy: Check for the correct tightening of the lock nut and check/adjust wheel alignment if tightening was required.

Date: February 2021
Model types: All
Build dates: 03/2020 to 07/2020
Number of vehicles affected: 30
Defect: The “Sport” mode system may not be set correctly and therefore may not comply with type approval requirements.
Remedy: The proxi file must be updated to solve the non conformity.

Date: September 2016
Model types: All
Build dates: 12/2015 to 06/2016
Number of vehicles affected: 1,045
Defect: The seat may not remain in position when subjected to greater than normal driving forces such as those involved in an impact. This may possibly cause injury to the driver/passenger seated in the right hand front seat. The right hand front seat guides may not conform to design specification and installation specifications.
Remedy: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the installation of the original seat guide. If it does not conform replace the seat cushion structure (guide).

As of August 2024, there have been three DVSA vehicle safety recalls on the current Abarth 500 range (including both the 595 and 695). These cover steering, seat belt and software issues.

Not all vehicles are affected by recalls. You can check to see if your car is included in any of the above recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Abarth dealer.

If your car is affected by a recall, the vehicle must be repaired and you should not be charged for any work required. If you are buying a used 595, you should insist that any outstanding recall work is completed before you take delivery of the vehicle.