Name: Abarth 695 (2016 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Abarth 695
Rating: 39.0

Table of contents – Abarth 695

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Summary

The Abarth 695 is a high-performance model based on the Fiat 500 city car. Over the standard 595 hot hatch range, each 695 model is ‘hand prepared’ by the Abarth team with upgrades to the bodywork, interior trim and performance.

In recent years, the 695 range has largely consisted of a regularly changing parade of limited-edition models, such as the track-focused 695 Biposto in 2016, the 695 Anniversario that launched in 2019 to mark Abarth’s 70th birthday, and the 695 Esseesse (pronounced ‘SS’) which arrived in 2021.

The petrol versions of the Abarth 500 (the 695 and 595) are very different to the all-new Abarth 500e electric model. The 500e is a completely different vehicle, which means that the current Abarth 695 will be the last of its kind. The petrol Abarth models are continuing in production alongside the new electric 500e, but this is inevitably going to end at some point.

The Abarth 695 uses an upgraded version of the 595’s engine – a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit that produces 180hp and a top speed of 139mph. Beyond the styling tweaks unique to each limited run model, both the Anniversario and Esseesse get an adjustable rear spoiler and custom exhaust systems.

The Abarth 695 has received a mixed set of reviews from UK media outlets during its tenure, with scores ranging from below average to good. Many journalists were enthused by the arrival of the Biposto in 2016, highlighting the hot hatch for its bold exterior styling and punchy engine that Carwow says “sounds absolutely fantastic”.

That said, many reviewers concluded that the Biposto was uncomfortable on the road, lacked practical space and was expensive, especially considering it came without a stereo system.

Despite interior and infotainment upgrades added since, these issues still ring true for the limited editions currently on sale. Concluding its review of the Anniversario, Auto Express labels the 695 “exciting, characterful and flawed in equal measure”, commenting that while its looks and performance make the hot hatch “genuinely appealing”, the 695 is also “outdated and expensive”.

“The 695 Anniversario doesn’t really make sense”, Motoring Research comments. “The top-spec Ford Fiesta ST-3 is around £7,000 cheaper, and Abarth’s own 595 Esseesse, which has the same engine, costs £4,000 less.”

As of August 2024, the Abarth 695 holds a New Car Expert Rating of E, with a score of just 39%. This score is one of the lowest in our Expert Rating Index of more than 600 cars and is even lower than the score given to the regular Abarth 595, which reflects the specialist niche that the 695 targets.

695 highlights

Alluring sporty looks
Plenty of driver appeal
Punchy performance
Exclusive limited run models

695 lowlights

Three-star safety rating
Alternatives are more practical
Expensive, entry-level and up
Rigid ride comfort

Key specifications

Body style: Small three-door hatch
Engines: petrol
Price: From £31,735 on-road

Launched: Summer 2016
Last updated: Summer 2021
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+

“For many, the Abarth’s sheer sense of silly fun will get under their skin, and they’ll find it irresistible. We’d steer clear of the super-pricey Rivale, as there’s just as much fun to be had lower down the Abarth range.”
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Auto Express+

Model reviewed: 70th Anniversario
Score: 6 / 10
“The automotive world is a richer place thanks to cars like the Abarth 695 70th Anniversario special edition. Exciting, characterful and flawed in equal measure, it’s an expensive and outdated yet genuinely appealing hot hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: 695 Biposto
Score: 6 / 10
“Fiat says the Abarth 695 Biposto is the world’s smallest supercar. It has the performance but price is right too.”
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: 695 Biposto
Score: 6 / 10
“Hardcore new Abarth halo model, the 695 Biposto, delivers searing performance on track but feels rather compromised on the road.”
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Car+

Model reviewed: 695 Biposto Record
Score: 8 / 10
“Here’s the thing with the Abarth 695 Biposto Record: it’s very expensive for a car of its size, it’s impractical, noisy and uncomfortable – but I genuinely get it. It’s for folk used to those things.”
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Model reviewed: 695 Biposto
Score: 6 / 10
“Undeniably striking with intermittently glorious detailing, the Abarth 695 Biposto is a halo car, and Fiat isn’t angling for an Abarth on every street corner. Which is just as well given the price tag. And good fun, sure – more notably in the dry.”
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Car Keys+

Model reviewed: 695 Biposto
Score: 6 / 10
“The ‘racing car for the road’ cliché is an oft-used one and hats off to Abarth for making a car which genuinely lives up to the billing, but we can’t help feel we’d have just as much fun in a Fiesta ST for half the price.”
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: 695 hatchback
Score: 6 / 10
“The Abarth 695 is the sportiest version of the Abarth 595 hot hatch. It’s faster, firmer and more fun, but top-spec Biposto models are almost impossible to live with every day.”
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Eurekar+

Model reviewed: 695 Rivale
“Floor the accelerator and the power keeps coming as you change up the gears, and although the continued urge doesn’t diminish, it feels quite linear after the initial kick in the back. The result is genuine enjoyment, with tremendous verve and brilliant response.”
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Evo+

Model reviewed: 695 70th Anniversario
“You might think all of that equipment is rather generous, but a glance at its £29,695 price tag quickly extinguishes that thought.”
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Heycar+

Model reviewed:
Score: 6 / 10
“Fiat describes the Abarth 695 as a track car that can be used on the road – but does it deliver? Well, on paper the answer has to be yes. Performance is keen with 0-62mph taking less than 6.0 seconds, while the car tips the scales at less than a tonne.”
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Honest John+

Model reviewed: 695 Biposto
“It’s bonkers, tremendous fun and comes with a stick-on grin as standard. But even with all those racing touches, it’s still a £50k small car.”
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Motoring Research+

Model reviewed: 595 and 695 range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“In isolation, there’s much to like about the Abarth 595 and 695. They look great and are fun to chuck about… but are also pricey and old.”
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Model reviewed: 695 70th Anniversario
“Spending £29,695 on the 695 70th Anniversario doesn’t really make sense. But as a surefire future classic that will impress the Abarthisti – and humiliate some bigger and (even) more expensive cars into the bargain – it has its place.”
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Parkers+

Model reviewed: 695 Esseesse
“Yes, the rear seats and boot are cramped, the handling is likely to lack the finesse of better hot hatch rivals and it’s still a considerable chunk more expensive than the simply excellent Ford Fiesta ST, but if you’re looking at a limited Abarth, these things aren’t likely to matter too much anyway.”
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The Sun+

Model reviewed: 695C Rivale Cabriolet
“Abarth 695C Rivale is a fashion statement with race-tuned suspension and metallic pedals”
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The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: 695C Rivale
“So bouncy I daren’t break the speed limit” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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Model reviewed: 695 Biposto Record
Score: 6 / 10
“What we can probably state without fear of contradiction, though, is that an Abarth 695 Biposto Record won’t be your main car. It probably won’t even be your main supercar. But it will definitely be your smallest supercar and the only one that shares the innocent charm of the Fiat 500.”
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Top Gear+

Model reviewed: 695C Rivale Cabriolet
Score: 5 / 10
“This isn’t a car that for people who enjoy the pesky handling of a Fiesta ST or the fine damping of a Clio RS, either. It’ll be pootled around Monaco, as well-matched to the yacht it’s parked beside as the driver’s chinos and moccasins. In that sort of role, there’s something charmingly gawky about it.”
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Model reviewed: 695 Biposto Record
“This is another in a quite long line of plumply priced Abarth special editions which, by all objective measures, make very little sense indeed. But the fact they’re still being produced is testament to the appetite of their target audience.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 3 stars
Date tested: March 2017
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 695’s safety rating is assessed on the regular Fiat 500 model range, upon which the Abarth 695 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 695 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 695 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. Given that it is an old model that’s now in the twilight of its life, we don’t expected it to be tested anytime soon.

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 695 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	39 mpg	D	39 – 39 mpg	D – D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	157 g/km	C	156 – 171 g/km	B – C

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	33	C	31 – 35	C – C

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£196	A
Year 2	£527	B
Year 3	£859	B
Year 4	£1,062	B
Year 5	£1,430	B
Overall	£4,074	B

The Abarth 695 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 695’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.