Abarth for all its quirks has a the superior "smiles per gallon"

The Abarth any day. The ford is so dull and unconvincing. The Abarth and 500 are special, so retro, charismatic, stylish, Fiat and Alfa for me.

I might be a bit biased, cos my first car was Fiat 500... and I loved that thing. I had it for 7 years and 6 and a half of that I was just waiting for the right moment to buy the Abarth. To me and the whole Abarth community these cars have a spirit like no other... Never heard of dedicated large ST communities. But abarth people... they get together, meet ups, forums, youtube, shows, track days... To me the STs and GTIs are mostly (not always) for boy racers who wanna be "baller", but Abarth is for people "f*** I LOVE this car". I love the fact that they are quite rare, that we wave at each other and people smile and chuckle when they see the car on the street. I don't know how it is in UK, but here when ST or GTI drives by with windows down and loud pumping music... most of the bystanders are more like "what a wan**r". To put it simply (imo) - STI and GTI drivers "I love myself, look at me", Abarth drivers "I love this car, have fun with me" Greetings from Czech Republic... Waiting for next Abarth videos...

Two different target. St is faster, abarth, like mini is iconic and stylish

My current car is an Abarth 595 Turismo. Its purist style and personality are quite unique. My car came with Koni FSD Shocks and Record Monza exhaust from the factory! I love the sound and handling! Doesn't matter what car you choose, as long it puts a smile on your face when you drive it! :)

When your mum owns a Fiat 500 1.2 (2010) and adores it so much, there was no way on Earth I was going to chose an Abarth - stigma 100. Got my ST tinted goggles on, own a MK8 and it's awesome, 6000miles+ and still makes me smile. Each to their own!

Abarth always loses at being an actual usable car but the way it makes you feel is something else. The car has a lot of character and it's silly fun in tunnels. It also is a bit of an underrated performance car as it may surprise you how well it does against much more powerful cars.

id suggest driving an Abarth to anyone that says its just a fiat 500 or similar... other than the body there really is nothing comparable to the standard car.

Really good video, St is the better car but I’d probably choose the abarth as it has more character

I don't agree with the styling point, the Fiesta has a rather boring and anonymous style

Simple, clean and to the point review/comparison. Keep up the good job mate!

Started watching when i suggested the Fiesta ST for my cousin to get as a first car, watched all ur vids since coz they are so addictive! when are you going to be the presenter of Top Gear? keep going! loved the style with JB Tokens!

Drove the ST and the Abarth back to back and bought the Abarth. Looked better, seemed faster imo. ST is so dull, a car I’d have for a year and get rid,

Reading the comments on this is hilarious, how is everyone saying the fiesta is dull when none of you have drivin it 😂. I suggest you watch Chris Harris’s review on it to understand the masterpiece it is!

Own a 595 Comp. Way more fun that the pretty boring alternatives from Ford, VW, Peugeot etc. It's a little hooligan, uncivilized and just makes me smile every time I drive it

I could not fit in the Abarth comp.. The seating position was too high.. In the Fiesta ST I sit as low as possible and I am glued to the floor 👌 But I agree that the styling of the Fiesta ST is pretty dull.. But the driving experience is what its all about, and I love driving my ST, feels like a porsche!!

Abarth all the way! This guy was off by a million miles. Anyone who ever drove an Abarth, was always always and I repeat, ALWAYS smiling and laughing because the car farts are powerful and you feel like your flying on the road nude. You are one with the Abarth.

the ST looks so booring on the other hand the abarth looks exciting and stylish

The Abarth is definitely more fun and has more character, but I find the ST is more comfortable and drives much better with the addition of the slip diff. Both great cars. In the end I bought the ST and the wife bought the Abarth. Now we get to drive both :)

Here in Belgium, we get reductions when we buy a car, so the Fiesta ST I bought was cheaper (Full options) than those Abarth Competitione I wanted to buy at first. I get more car for less money with the Fiesta ST, but the Abarth steers very well aswell and is fun to drive aswell. I only had problems with the seating in the Abarth, for me too narrow... And u get alot more options with the ST than with those Abarth. So now the conclusion: I like the Abarth alot, but for me the absolute winner is the Fiesta ST

Production value of your vids are second to none great vid as always! Wish the fiat didn’t have such a girly reputation cos I don’t dispute how good it potentially is!

Just thought I'd mention that "ST" stands for "Sanitary Towel" LMAO

Test drove both... Ordered the 595 Comp. ST just has a "chav" reputation, bad radio, boring overall, didn't sound as nice. The 595 felt like you were in a rocket propelled shoe box, the ST felt "tame"

I own an Abarth 595 Comp. Test drove both and easy decision for me. Performance Abarth wins hands down.

Is there no apple car play in the Abarth? As a daily driver that is a deal breaker for me.

When you say that Abarth have been using the same recipe for years and not bothered changing the car much , a certain German car company does the same with a car called the 911 . Nice video enjoyed it 👍🏻

Love the abarth. I’d have one tomorrow, only downside is practicality with 2 kids on the odd occasion we all go out in my car

Fiesta might be the better drive but I’d still have an Abarth on the basis they’re more unique and not every mans car, look less like something that sits in a Mc D’s car park most of its life and it sounds better. Great review dude.

Fair review! However I feel If you drove an Abarth fitted with the performance pack (Mechanical LSD and carbon fibre Shell seats) with an upgraded straight through exhaust I feel your final verdict would’ve been 99% more Abarth!

Did you know that with generation 3 of the Abarth Fiat introduced a new function into the ecu to keep sure that the engine noise emission will stay within legal law? This function observes your driving and cuts down the power dramatically for around three seconds if the ecu thinks it would be too loud if you get the requested power right now. No, this is not a joke. Unfortunately not. :-(

Nice vid, I have a corsa vxr if you wanted to do another comparison vid

Great review, i Think you right the ST it's the best, but i prefer the Abarth it's more fun by far

Get a mini cooper s r53 2004-6 spend a couple of grand modding it to 215bhp put on a set of pilot sport 4s and you have a beast hot hatch, that handles like a go kart. Got £5k? And the supercharger whine.

Very interesting to watch this as we're currently comparing these 2 cars!

The moment he said ‘’the winner is the Fiesta’’, I stopped the video...

Oh, I get it now. If you have a personality and like fun get an Abarth. The ford is so dull.

Great review, why do you always lunge, lean forward? You always look like you’re walking uphill? 😁

Why would you choose the fiesta 🤔

I have a 595 Competizione. At the time I was looking at the Fiesta ST as well but for me the Abarth won. More character, not as many of them where I live, I fit the car better, I love the constant monza exhaust, handling felt better to me, very easy to modify, and it is an Abarth. But I would love to also own a Fiesta ST as well, as that would be cool.

Ground is still wet... but hey... you managed to park where there were no muddy puddles...LoL... oops... made that statement a bit quick... only took 0:59 seconds for muddy puddles to make it into the video. Do you go through a lot of boots...? Doing well mate... nice reviews and honest info.

Nice Abarth Venom scorpion 🦂🦂💪🏼

I'm no YT troll and I would like to say well done in terms of video production. Furthermore, it's almost irrelevant in terms of the result of this 'test' too; it's actually the criteria you are basing your review on that pisses me off. Rule #1 is (if possible) compare cars of the same price not £4-5k difference, which is in this case is around 20% OTR! To resolve this you could have got a Comp with the Performance Pack on it (as it's £3k), which includes a fully mechanical Quaife LSD, Carbon Fibre Sabelts and light weight Supersport wheels. This would also change your view on the handling dynamics of the Abarth when comparing it to an ST with an LSD! Having driven both and being the owner of a Comp with Performance pack (and 230 bhp), the driving experience is night and day. On that note, I do not understand how you can say that the ST is a more exciting package...the only thing more boring than an ST is a Golf GTi. That is not me saying that the ST and GTi are not good cars quite the contrary, but wow your choice of terminology is misguided. I quite like the ST, especially ST200 but it's sterile and more common than any other 'hot' hatch in the UK so you feel even less special driving one, whereas driving an Abarth you can park next to a 911 and people are only interested in the Abarth - not many cars in history (under £50k) have ever achieved something like this so it's special to drive and look at.

How do you know if you have the performance pack because it has launch control and ford performance settings ?

Abarth has a personality, ford just looks like a shrunken focus. To be honest i was shocked when you said it was £5k more than the abarth i expected it to be cheaper!

Having owned both I'd say the Fiesta ST hands down as it's far more versatile and handles much better plus cheaper to maintain properly

Sound system ?

Interesting that you would discount Apple Car Play in the Fiesta, because it isn’t made by Ford, but would use the Abarth’s TomTom satnav as a decider in round 2.

Alot of abarth love on this video

the ford is boooring af

Did you finance your st? I want to get one in a couple of years after Uni but idk the best way to afford it

Very nice review, I basically agree with you. Some months ago I was uncertain about which of these two funny cars buying and what probably pushed me towards the Fiesta ST was that It was a really brand new car! The 500 Abarth is gorgeous but It deserves a real big upgrade! I mean it's still a very very good car but the base is the same car of the last 10 years!

I’m glad you agree with the pops and bangs being too much on the fiesta. Reminds me of the 17 year olds who get them mapped into there 1L eco boosts, makes you look like a complete tool

You say that you had the abarth for 3 days and found it to be a bit understeery? Most Abarths have a habit of 3 wheeling round roundabouts if driven quickly and will wag their tails quite easily with a bit lift off during mid corner just like the st. As for image, styling and fashion is done best by the italians, with the vast majority of Abarth owners being men its hardly a girls car. Then there is the community that stretches worldwide for our funny little Italian monsters, which is like no other for friendliness, helpfulness and generally just sharing the joy and smiles the Abarth provides. With how easy the abarth is too get well over 250bhp out of it makes for an incredible package when considering it weighs a shade over a ton. In summary the actual comparison test in principle was a good one, but the tests didn't answer the main questions any prospective buyers would have. For instance as hot hatches, a back too back performance overview, and the feelings each car evoked when driven would have been better than infotainment comparison and percieved image. Don't get me wrong the fiesta is a lovely modern car with all the amenities and performance you would expect on this model level. It is just too competent and capable it gets a bit dull and tiresome a bit like the engineered pops and bangs. Ps i have been a lifelong ford fan and have owned many different performance fords over the years but now a converted abarth owner, mainly because i can't afford a cossie.

One has racing heritage and style the other is more at home as ASDA.

Legend has it he's still walking towards the camera to this date

FORD Fix Or Repair Daily no way. Abarth design makes you smile every time you walk to the car! I am thinking of getting one!

Thanks for this honest review! What do you think is the best value for money? Love your videos anyways:-) I bet Abarth got disappointed now.

They're both great contenders, But based on Bang for your buck, Abarth wins my vote. With a few mods you can make it pop and bang like a firecracker if you want, but i think it would do most peoples head in after a while lol, I would personally prefer the pops n bangs when demanding it. Just preference really lol

Like the idea but considering you had two playful baby hothatches and barely had them moving it was very disappointing just my thoughts

Ford looks sharper and sportier.....with less fancy...but enough agressive for hot hatch..

I think the interior on the Abarth is better. I've owned a couple of STs and they both had annoying interior rattles. The Abarth's materials feel sturdier too, leather on the doors etc.

Some people buy these kind of cars objectively.... Not me though. Abarth it is!

Let’s compare two hot hatches the music on this one is errrrrrrrrrr really

Abarth should have won

I am having the unfortunate dilemma of becoming a little too used to my 6C Polo GTI and because my wife now has a large family car I can now be a bit more immature (as its only really me driving the car) and am thinking of swapping for an abarth 595 competizione. However the Polo is fast and capable and just so damn good that I think I might regret it! On the plus side the Abarth has all the mods from the factory that i would do to the Polo if I could....dilemma!

To be honest I was specting, at least a test drive, a comparison between two little high performance cars should be about driving, 0-60, brakes, suspension and even fuel consumption. Who cares what interior or screen you like more? it should be a non-bias comparison, just that, an impartial comparison between two really good little high performance cars.

I have the Abarth, I was looking at the fiesta. A simple remap for £300 will make the Abarth much quicker than the fiesta if speed is your thing.

Abarth easily. Fiesta is the most boring hot hatch going if you can even class it as hot. Fords in general are also really dull.

Lol that st sounds rubbish/fake weak & it looks like a normal fiesta. Abarth also has a limited slip diff in software. Also has a convertible model & gets all the looks, people saying how great it looks when parked. I love the boost gauge pod right where you can see it, which also has a shift up at the red line. St,s are common now & abarth is very rare where I live near a city hence the attention it gets, its retro & real pocket rocket like the old Vw lupo gti.

Still not sure which one to buy..

awesome video, enjoyed it

I love Abarth,but there are too much in the city! The Abarth is the same from the 2008,exept some little restyling.. I think the new Fiesta ST is better! More power (200 hp VS 180) ,more modern (sync 3,panoramic roof,fulled and more..) Only,Abarth,sound better with the Monza,but we can buy an aftermarket exaust system for the Fiesta ST..And yes,i like the Revo mod for the Fiesta ST..😍

Well good video. Personally the 595 looks more exclusive sound better and I like the interior more. I owe one and I never regret it

What a ridiculous review . The ST has a worse exhaust, the breaks fade when pushed, worse infotainment, over-steers unexpectedly..... So the winner is.......the ST 🤦‍♂️

As someone who is genuinely considering buying one of these cars, that content was fantastic !!

I'll save you reading the comments... It's a bunch of fiesta st owners justifying that they bought a fiesta st 😂 and then calling the abarth a wife's car cause they hurt that most ppl prefer it (I see alot more on road than the st imo)

Fiesta looks sportier,modern and clean...also sweet blend of ride and handling. And wondering how its called dull ...even fiat style also arguable at some points..

"The 500 is too cute, not manly, so I'm going for a car called FIESTA!" XD Don't care what you prefer, but I thought that was pretty funny.

Oh and for your rating, Abarth also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Now something subjective from now on... In terms of interior the Abarth one has lot of weird and stupid stuff, but I find it fun... Fiesta eeeh too ford, too boring imo. Exterior styling Fiesta better..?! As you said the Abarth look is now 10 years old and still looks better. I you compare the 500 to 595 it shows!, but ST compared to Fiesta is still too much Fiesta... And I think you should include price in to the rating... Abarth is more fun for the buck, but Fiesta is more practical for the buck.

The Ford just does not interest me one bit, looks like any other modern car, few sportys touches but infinitely boring. Abarth all the way.

They both sound good 🤭

fiestanos 21 plate and abarth 18 plate is it fair

TomTom doesn't count if you discount apple auto 😂😂😂

I have a full extras fiesta st mk8 magnetic grey and it is an amazing car! I think like you, good video!

Owned a 595c Turismo with a Squadra tune and a Monza exhaust But disliked the high seating position, the numb gear changes, The overal quality. The stupid angled infotainment screen that rendered it useless with the top down. But seating position was my biggest gripe, sat so high it felt like a van. Now jus ordered a ST comp not drove it yet. Wait for it to be delivered for first drive.

seems like in the comments everyone got paid by abarth lol. To be fair they are great cars, but the quality is even worse than Ford´s and even tho the sound and the speed is rather similar, you will get a way better driving experience with the Fiesta. Also Abarths are very bad in terms of driving security. In crash test they lack about everything while Fiesta got 5/5.

Why’s the abarth allowed to have an exhaust and the st not? 😂

When looking at two peppy little cars known for giving giant smiles-per-mile, the infotainment and what complete strangers think of me are the last things on my list of things to rank. I've never used the radio in my Abarth; I'm having too much fun listening to the music this car makes. It's worth noting one of the reasons this vehicle suffers in reliability ratings was the terrible infotainment system being unreliable. This is a known issue as FCA shares this system across multiple platforms. The Abarth interior is ergonomically silly, typical Italian goofiness, with window switches on the center console just above the shifter, and while they painstakingly take efforts to scrub "Fiat" and "500" badging from all the performance trim levels inside and out, they leave the "500" badge on the dash insert on the passenger side because they didn't want to manufacture another dash mold to accomodate special trim badges. You sit very high up and the distance of the pedals and steering wheel make you think it's designed for a gorilla. These are the love-hate things that come with owning Italian. The Fiesta ST is objectively a better handling car. It was the competitor on my short list of choices but the Abarth makes driving an experience like no other, and as irrational as it is to discard performance, ergonomics, resale value, and other typical metrics for selecting a car, the driving experience sold it for me without question. Each trip is a challenge in making it snap, crackle, and pop. You want to heel-and-toe every corner and red light. All tunnels are an excuse to open the throttle. The first thing you do when starting up the car is hit "sport" mode. Anyone who's ever driven this car laughs at the outlandish experience. The Abarth is like the unsuspecting uncle that gets obnoxious and tells funny stories once you feed him a few beers. You can have lots of fun with it and still remain within legal speed limits. It also doesn't need a "sound symposer" that channels engine bay noise into the cabin with pipes like the Ford, which is probably due to Ford's better sound insulation to reduce road noise. The Italians simply used a tried-and-true formula--stuff the minimum amount of old cardboard and socks into the Fiat body panels to make cabin noise respectable, but it still lets the exhaust growls wonderfully if you want to play. It's worth noting my opinion on exhaust note is based on the North American model, which sounds more aggressive than the Euro-spec Abarth 500 Essesse, our closest trim comparison. We have no muffler/silencer and the Multiair head gives us a very aggressive intake valve lift and duration profile on heavy throttle application. I don't know how our NA Abarth compare to the 595 Competizione with the Record Monza, but I suspect ours is still more raucous. I suggest everyone experience a test drive even if they have no plans on buying one.

£5k extra at that price point for a boring junior reps car? Drive the Abarth over 4k revs and hold on tight!!! 🔥 💨

The 500 Abarth only has 2 usable seats as the rear are only suitable for children but I wouldn't put my kids back there as the rear seat area is the crumple zone in a rear ender. For that reason, I bought the Abarth 124 Spider instead and haul the kids in the SUV.

Everybody is different and has differents opinions, like for example myself, Abarth is better 🦂 sorry, better looking and as I see, a lot of people underestimate the Abarth

Abarth wins or better yet i30n performance for 10.000 more...

I love the Fiesta ST

fantastic choice. I would take the Fiesta ST as a daily and the Abarth as a fun/sundaycar

fiesta is new platform new car from 0 not facelift

Stand still man !

Abarth ❤️

Abarth definitely wins when it comes to exhaust sound

What’s faster?

Abarth for me!!!