As the owner of the car, I'd like to state on record that on this occasion James is just wrong 😂 it's the most characterful and amusing car you can get nearly new with warranty for

As professional automobile psychologist: Your issue is not the Abarth 595, it is rooted much deeper in the form of a Fiat trauma.

Imagine giving your car to your favourite KZfaqr and being told it's shite 😂

Never owned one, never driven one, i never even sat in one, however i always get excited when i see one. Something about it is just so damn cool

American owner here... imagine not even getting the 595 with 180bhp. Still, of all the cars I have ever owned (and that includes Z' turbo Z's, mustangs, corvettes, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and a host of other brands and nameplates), this remains my favorite. Ever. I bought a brand new one in 2012, the 7th Abarth sold in Virginia to be exact. I lost it in 2015 when my spouse became ill, lost her job and we had to start all over. This year, we finally got a second car after losing both of them in 2015 and what did I buy as the second car? A nice used '13 Abarth, this time with a sunroof and auto temp control. If you don't get it, you just don't get it chief. There is more personality in this clown car than a garage full of anything else. Worth every penny.

It is a small car, like buying a 1 bedroom flat and complaining it is not a mansion.

My wife had the base 595 a few years back and I never warmed to it. She’s now got the 595 Trofeo which has more power, monza exhaust, uprated shocks, brakes etc and it’s transformed it into a brilliant little car.

Slightly militant owners community😂 Guessing you found that out after the last review.

I sold a 987 Porsche Cayman S and bought a 595 Competizione running 200bhp. The Abarth is massively flawed in so many ways but I've had way more fun driving it than I ever did in the Porsche, at the price point for a fun daily you cant go wrong.

You can see the poor owner’s little face just saying “please stop. Stop abusing and insulting my prized little Abarth”🤣

Dynamically flawed on so many levels yes, but on an emotional level these Abarth 500’s tick so many boxes. I respect your opinion James nonetheless; however, I think these cars are superb fun and put a smile on your face, unlike so many other homogeneous Euro boxes.

Don’t think you’re safe to criticise any car when you wear a shirt like that 😂

I fall into the category of serious petrol head who loves these things. I love them BECAUSE they haven't moved on in ten years. A decade ago I liked new cars, today I don't very much. It's not as serious a hot hatch as my 182 Trophy, but that's a positive in my view too. When we had ours I viewed it as a warm hatch, it was easy to push it beyond the limit of grip because the chasiss wasn't as competent as the 182, and you had to matt the throttle everywhere to try to stay with it. For that reason I found it a hilarious car to drive. The driving position is rubbish, the steering has no feel, everything is made of lego...loved it all.

I watched all of that with the auto generated captions on, since I'm sat with everyone else watching Loud House. Turns out you're actually reviewing "a bath"😆👌

When he said militant following. I didnt know that they would raid the enitre comment section, jesus chtist.

It's a curious one. For all intents and purposes, the 595 is pretty much as flawed as the video makes it out to be. It is cheaply made, you sit too high and there isn't enough adjustability. But between my R56 Mini Cooper S and my mate's 595 with the Monza exhaust, it's ALWAYS the latter that has me smiling the most. The flaws make the car characterful and cheeky, and that exhaust is just mental in the best way. Certainly not a car to daily drive on a 30-mile commute, but for the weekend it's hard to do worse for the price, and I say that as a very happy Cooper S owner.

George is packing too much lard to fit in the seat.

I was hooked by the title. I love a good moan!

I test drove one and thought it was alright with numb steering and sat a bit high but alright as a run-about. Then I owned one (still do) it's hilarious. Makes me laugh out loud everywhere I go. I also have an Evora and the little Abarth is nowhere near as 'good', obviously, but for short journeys around back roads or town it's a little bundle of unbridled innocent fun and I wouldn't change it for the world.

"Militant owners community" 😂 STG probably threw his laptop across the room in a rage. LOL That shirt is one of your wildest yet, I like it. 👍

this hasn’t changed my opinion, I love the abarth 500

We all know they’re not very good cars. But that’s missing the point of the car. They’re brimming with character, look brilliant in the right spec, are surprisingly quick down a road, inexpensive to run and I’ve never driven a car that puts such a smile on my face and neither has any of the other people I know who worthier own one or have driven one. Shame you drove the most basic model though. A 595 Comp is really quite different,

Jheeze those rims have seen a hard life😂

I loved the original Fiat uno turbo and see 595 as its modern equivalent.

I had the 595 competizione, wouldn't say it was cheap..but it was a pocket rocket and it handled well. 👍

I own a 595 Compitizione 70th and also an F-Type. Granted the F-Type looks great but I honestly choose to take the little Abarth to work almost every day. With regards "why buy it new" I bought my 180bhp Abarth with Koni shocks, brembo brakes, monza exhaust and a 2 bar Garrett turbo, all of that for just over £17k, ganted it should have been £23k but it had sat since lockdown and only had 41miles on the clock, indeed I traded in an M440i for it and don't regret it for a second. James, you have my email from last month and the offer still stands, you can take the F-Type and the Comp for a spin and hopefully it will change your mind!!!!!!!!!!!!

I personally hated mine because of the steering.. until I took it on track. I was surprised!

I like it, although mum keeps calling it variations on Abarth - a bath, Ardbath, Abroath, aardvark...

You can have a similar experience to driving this car by sitting in front of an old tumble dryer and playing with the switches

Jay, as the former owner of an Abarth for 5 years and 63K, I can tell you it's all about the back to basics. I always looked forward to getting into the car, seriously. I had many bolt ons and a beautiful set of O.Z. 45th anniversary rims and yearly stripe changes to keep it fresh. Yeah it would go into lymph mode once a summer and then go away and I got used to it. I miss the car everyday honestly😋

I have one of these and it's a fab little car. It eats the motorway miles, is a hoot on the back roads and scoots round the city with ease. It is a higher spec than the model in the video so the interior is that bit better looking. I just cannot agree with Jayemm on this. Also please will you give Timmy Mallett his shirt back!

While in a different price bracket I feel like the new Toyota Yaris GR has taken the Crown for multiple car owners who can afford it and are looking for a compact, fast and nimble town car and its sooo much better from all accounts.

I had an Abarth 500 and I really loved it. Yes it felt cheap, but it was cheap to purchase too, at only $7000 used. It had allot of style and character. Felt like an Alfa Romeo. And I got street cred for it, like it was a much much more expensive car.

Ooh boy. Starting off 2021 with a *spicy* review. Happy New Year, James!

Sorry Jay but I think you are a bit harsh on the 500 abarth haveing driven a few my impression what a great fun little car 😊☺️☺️☺️ if you don't like them don't drive them and rip then to bits simple

Calling the 500 a “Panda in a frock” is a great compliment. The Panda is one of the best small cars on the market. The 169 version especially so.

As a 180hp Abarth Competizione owner I'll say - it's a fiat after all, what do you expect. Sure, they quality is shit, a lot of it could be done better, and it's really expensive. But you're missing the point there. That car is purely for fun. It's small, looks good, it's loud, it's feisty, it's nimble. It handles well and it drives good for a small fwd car. If you're looking for something else in that car, you missed the point of that car. Like I said again (I love triggering fanboys) - it's just a fiat in disguise.

Is it because you don’t fit in it? Because I fit fine

Hi James, apologies for the silly question: I remember you said in previous videos that before you review a car, you only look for the technical specs (+ perhaps the development story of the car too), and you try to avoid reading/watching other people's reviews, incase it colours your opinions. After you reviewed the car, do you look up on other people's reviews on the same car and if so, does it occasionally change the way you see the car in retrospect? Many thanks in advance.

I agree with most if this, I own an Abarth and it took a lot of time and effort to change the crap quality components. It’s not a driver focused car but as a daily pushed to 200+bhp (td04 kits). It’s a right laugh and once you get this platform to that stage, it’s worth it. It’s insanely customisable and that’s what I love the most about it.

What I don't understand is the Panda 100HP had a 6 speed box in 2006, but when they launched the Abarth 500, they left it out. Perhaps it was a packaging issues as the 100HP had bugger all steering lick due to the size of the gearbox, so adding a turbo into the mix in that tiny engine bay may have been a step too far.

We have had an Essesse in the family since launch - the whole ethos of an Abarth is clearly totally lost on spangly-shirt man - ours sits alongside our Ferrari’s and German super saloons...

Always fancied one.Looks and sounds good,which is always something in this world of lots of slightly dull euro boxes..but just far too small for me. But I get why you either really like or really don't.

Interesting view. I find the my Abarth a complete hoot - though I have got a 180hp limited version which might make ALL the difference. I don't use it for motorways, as i have other cars, but the omission of a 6th gear is noticeable. I had a new Golf R last year before this, and a modified new RS3 before that and this car seems to be more than fun that both of those. Perhaps it is the shoddier, fragile build along with the lightness that makes it fun. Also - you MUST have the Monza exhaust.

This is a car that you don’t buy with reason, but with heart. 595 in right spec and 180hp is one of most enjoyable experiences that you can have in town. Most fun car in family fleet.

I was a bit nonplussed when I test drove one. I sat far too high up and the ride was rock hard, stupidly so. Maybe as a 3yr old car at about 7-8k they make a bit more sense as long as you don't go down any bumpy roads.

I love my little 595 comp. Live in a nice part of Westminster surrounded by Ferrari’s, lambo’s etc. Had some nice cars before but for the money this ones a keeper as it does exactly what I want around London. Cost £25k cash new, four years old and it’s going to stay as no finance on it... My neighbour has a 695 (posh git). (I do have a 718 4.0 GTS on order though 😉)

You should try a Panda 100hp heard they are a good laugh

I think these work if you view them as a toy/accessory rather than a driver's car. It's like a 2cv or beetle - inherently crap but all the more charming for it. But if you are serious about driving/precision etc look elsewhere.

I have owned a lot of cars. Also an Abarth. Actually, it's the car I have the most warm thoughts about. It's great. It's fun. The only drawback is the seat position and the steering feel. But other then that, what a great car!

As a used vehicle retailer we see and buy and sell lots of Abarth 595 and the 695 models. We also own one, a 595 which we use daily. Whilst there are compromises owning one the fun outweighs them for us. Yes there are short comings however for what the car offers we think they are extremely good value and the demand is most certainly out there. So as the demand is strong people who wish to sell one usually fine a buyer fairly quickly. In fact for 2020 we purchased and retailed each car within an 8 week window including the preparation stages. Some achievement. Still each to his/her opinion they will not be for everyone BUT try one out yourself after having listened to this review.

Haha this guy’s sitting in the passenger seat like “uh ... hey”

Time Fiat updated the 500,they've milked that platform dry,oh and bring back the Punto!

I run a disco 4 and an Exige 380 with my 595 sitting in the middle. I love the little 595 as it can hoon about our Norfolk lanes with the best of them. I agree about the steering as it does take a little mastering but then that's where the quality of the driver takes over. Another great review James keep them coming. 😎

A good point to make. The model is the lowest looks like a turismo, if you get a comp you get completely different suspension, 180bhp and much nicer sounding exhaust Seeing one with the tan coloured bucket seats, carbon dashboard, large infotainment screen, carbon exterior package and most importantly a sun roof. Then it becomes a very special little car

James, which lapel mic do you use? By the way, I hate it too.

I hired an automatic 500 Abarth convertible in the South of France. Even that glorious circumstance couldn't disguise what a shit car it is.

I don’t think you can slate a cheap car for having a cheap interior

4:33 you know when your in a cold area by the snow delineators/snow poles lol

I've owned 27 cars since 1997 when I was 16 and got my licence. I've owned Frenchie's, several Saabs, Lexus',several Honda's, several Acura's, Mustangs, Yukons, Golf's, BMWs, Renault's, Peugeot's, and now a Abarth 595 Competizione, had it two days and I'm in love. Got for my 40th b day present. It's brash, rough, raw, quirky and exactly what any petrolhead needs to own in their lifetime. Amazing exhaust, amazing engine, amazing stick shift, amazing suspension, butter soft Italian leather on seats and doors. Lots of plastics but high quality plastics. Great, crisp, visible displays. Cute and quirky design. Comfy on highway and highway speeds. No orange peel paint, unlike so many cars costing way more. Perfect amount of power for a one ton car. The smell, the sound, the visuals.....can't be beat for so cheap. It's a car that's cheap enough that I'm not worried about it like I was about a Ferrari GTC4 Lusso, or a Bentley Conti, et cetera. You can throw it around and it reacts EXACTLY how you expect. Absolutely love my new toy. It's easy to fix, and I love working on cars, so can't wait. It's a '21 595 Competizione, dual colour, manual, creamy leather, android auto, and super cold AC and hot as heat. And snicking through the gears was like a amazingly built Italian over under 12 gauge. I've had cars half this price, up to 10 times this price. What an absolute bargain. Drive one and you'll see. And at $43k AUD, a true bargain. It was this or a bracelet or two from Cartier. The thing is, those bracelets will be their next year, this Abarth is living on borrowed time.

Get him in a 595 comp with the LSD

I have owned one for almost 3 years now. I got it because that's what I wanted for its character, not because that was all I could afford. I still look for excuses to take it out and to take the longer route home. Does that sound like a failure? Of course they are not for everyone and they are not flawless. So what? If you don't like scratchy plastics don't scratch them, or is that some sort of fetish? To those of you who think it is fun to post derisive comments on a car that so many obviously love: 1. Think again 2. Get a life

It’s always been my dream to own one someday. The closest I got to driving it was a Fiat 500 pop rental which was fun but slow, cramped, cheapy and handles like a boat. Nevertheless the car is still full of charm and I still want to own one someday. It’s something you can’t describe it on paper I guess.

I own a 165hp Turismo and a Mini JCW r56. Mini is a real hot hatch, 595 is just a city car with sporty attitude. It' s very comfortable, more space than the Mini in the rear seats, a reasonable commuter in a range of 50-60 km highway crusing. The driving position is too high, too weight in the front. If you brake hard the rear is too light. Fully agree with judgement about steering and plastic quality. If you see it as a brilliant city car is a very good one (value for money and appeal). If you see it as an hot hatch you just put it in the wrong segment.

I am the opposite. I want to like more cars, but I find it hard to like anything besides various Honda Civics. And 911s.... But I'm in the Civic tax bracket lol

Aaaaaaaaargh, I hate to disagree with you but on this occasion........you are wrong. It's a perfect little hooligan car that can take an enormous amount of abuse. Also, it can, against common belief, swallow a huge amount of gear when the seats are down. More than a Mini in fact. It's a corker. History will prove me right

If there’s 2 things I HATED about my old Abarth Essesse 09, it was the shocking boost gauge, and the fact you couldn’t higher or lower the seat. I mean, who thinks that is a good idea? Nobody

I'm not the biggest fan of the Abarth 595s either but regarding a car that I actively hate with a passion, I was rewatching your review on the Nissan Juke (albeit that was the less unpleasant Nismo RS variant of your sister's) and I was surprised by your verdict of that car. I can see your reasoning that it feels lighter than you expect (with its SUV proportions) and it has a relatively low seating position, but put aside the elephant-in-the-room subjective views on its aesthetics, its a car that doesn't know what it is - a high centre-of-gravity compact-crossover thats trying to be a sporty hothatch? And having sat inside one (this was the 1st gen, not the current 2nd gen), I think the overall packaging was poorly executed as it felt so crammed inside (rear seat space) - thats borderline okay for a traditional 2+2 coupe/saloon, but I don't think thats acceptable for a compact crossover...probably the objective of the Nissan Juke was to be a 'Sports Activity Vehicle' like the ridiculous BMW X6 was/is.

I have had a couple of Abarth 595's . Not technically the best car out there but it oozes character and sounds fantastic. I really can't knock them. I running an Abarth 124 now which is great fun with mx5 build quality.

I'm on my second one now. No clue why, they drive me around the bend! 😂 But it's only my daily, Lotus Elise for the fun stuff!

Abarth owner here. As soon as I saw his shirt, I said, his opinion of this car is irrelevant! lol

I would be interested to see a comparison of the abarth punto and 595. Same power but more room, better seating position, better handling and 6 gears. Punto is a great design but the 595 has nostalgia and looks... Great review too.

I had one, it set on fire at 34,000 miles. Also when the small plastic bits break they cost a fortune to replace.

The 500 has always been style over substance, a car equivalent of a Raymond Weil (a watch bought by non watch people from a mall for retail), for people that don't know anything about cars.

I love going for a drive out in different vehicles with Jay. Most entertaining and a distraction from normal life for me. Very good. Pete 🇬🇧

One of the cars to have more fun with in twisty roads, for me. And I own a 911 carrera s, a bmw m135i, a Mini Cooper s and a Birel art kart. Great breaks and chassis. Very direct feedback. Sorry but you’re completely out of focus. Even the estrange drive position and low quality inside finishing is acceptable in front of the driving experience. Only the automatic gearbox is way out of line, so I recommend to go for manual. And when the price is considered, then all this issues are even more appreciated. In fact I always think about getting one.

No one wearing that shirt should have an opinion.

Interesting perspective. I agree it’s tragic that Fiat have virtually given up on the brand. There is no point in buying any other than that base model at the best possible price. I have owned 2 , a base 500 and a 595 Competizione. These replaced a Cayman s, a home built Caterham 7, and and Alfa 147gta. I recently replaced the 595 Competizione with a new Mx5 rf. In my opinion nothing could match the sheer joy of the Abarth. My friend has just purchased a brand new 595 base for about £14000. I’m curious as to what new car you would recommend at this price level which offers more driving enjoyment. Whilst I value your opinion and agree with many points you make, I wonder as the owner of a Ferrari and other (expensive to run) “exotica”, have you lost touch with real world high value cars, for those who need reliability, low maintenance costs and a 3 year warranty?

An exercise in style over substance then.........My ex-partner bought a 500 with those oversize Abarth alloys on. The ride quality was truly appalling. I did pre-warn her, but she didn't listen. Within 4-6 weeks of purchase, she admitted she'd made a big mistake and that the ride was poor. I think the interior materials are cheap and nasty too. It's WWD- Wrong Wheel Drive too, so I would never entertain it. Nice looking thing though, you cannot take that away from it.

Boasts “I know how to pronounce Abarth” then massacres pronunciation like a pirate with a speech impediment

I have never actually driven a 595 but cars are subjective so one review doesn't make it a bad car. Even the top "journalist" come up with reviews that leave you scratching your head.

Stg sam has left the chat. And Tony is laughing. Can picture it now 🤣

Hi Jay, what about 695 Record edition. There are only 133 produced. Is that collectible car to add the garage or not ?

Ahh my neck of the woods, I'm out there often for hillwalking or skiing, but good driving roads for the summer. I love the Abarths. Had a 2010 Esseesse from new for 5 years. My 275 Trophy is a much superior drivers car no question, but honestly I'd have another Abarth as it had so much character and always made you smile. Cheap to run, 45mpg on a run even with just a 5th gear on super unleaded, Interscope stereo with the CD player sounded perfect, had the cool analogue dials before they put in the horrible digital nonsense. Brakes were crap though, as was the seating position. Reliable and cheap to run. Never had mine out of sport mode as the steering was comically light without it.

So once again I go to auto trader to see what damage this car will do. Less than £10k. So something good for the girlfriend who I am desperatly trying to get out of the Toyota IQ deathtrap that she currently is driving.

My wife is very keen on these. There is a cvertain charm in them and easy to park.

Had a 180bhp 595 for about 18 months. Bought it with my heart but my head finally saw sense and I traded it in.....Will always be one of my favorite cars that ever owned but been there done it now!

History is littered with cars that objectively arent very good but win the hearts of their owners on the sheer force of their personality and character. Looks are of course highly subjective and personally I love the look of the car and so I am really glad it exists. I tried one and the deal breaker for me was the driving position . I felt perched on a way too high seat and that stopped me really getting comfortable and connecting with the car - I was gutted. I do feel Fiat have been lazy with the model too with updates that have been largely superficial and failed to fix or improve the car in in any meaningful way. Flawed ? yes, characterful ? definitely, classic ? yes I think so and probably deservedly so.

10:05 Hooray! Lotus content!!! #revengeoftheelise

Drove the Abarth 595 Competizione with the record monza exhaust, LSD etc and loved it tbh. Overpriced though. Also there's the 124 spider ;)

Some people have supercars and Abarths and pick up the keys for the abarth over their other cars. I used to have a 2019 competizione which was a great little rocket, but agreed the build quality isn't fantastic and the cabin quickly develops creaks and rattles due to the brittle plastics and cheap door cards. Overall, they are fun and put a smile on ones face, most of which I believe is the appeal and what keeps bringing people back to the brand. Thanks for the video.

Whilst I agree with a lot of this, seating position especially, I drive an E63 6 series and your description of the 595 steering is bang on for the 6er in ‘Sport’ mode

This looks like a completely base spec car, the abarths vary as much in price as they do in their performance. If you drive a high spec competizione with the performance pack and LSD or a new essesse you'll have a far better insight into what the cars can do. Emission regs are also a killer of these cars stock performance. If you drive a modified one running over 250bhp like mine which is easily achievable with most of the bits from a competizione (brakes suspension etc) I think you'll be surprised. I like the honesty in your reviews though, keep it up 👍🏻

Juicy video title James 😅

I always liked these until I test drove one a few years ago. It felt the same as my old 2005 Panda except with 160hp rather than 60hp. Very little engagement as a thing to drive. I just couldn't justify buying a new car on PCP that felt the same as my battered old panda. I went with the Fiesta ST instead which was only £20 more a month (£190 vs £170) and I am SO glad. What an awesome hot hatch that was.

Sister has one, I'm in love with it. Your bang on with your criticism and the Abarth owners are bang on about why they love them basically. I would add to your criticism by saying they start to wander about the disheveled roads at high speed / top end but at the same time hilarious fun to chuck round these twisty Irish b roads, you can really play with them and I've never seen a small car turn so many heads in town! The fact they sort of feel old / analog adds to the charm, it's an occasion driving one and I think that's the key to being able to forgive all it's failings, just get in it and drive the wheels off it and you will giggle and smile 💯

It has tipped over once in an autocross event, there's a video of it somewhere here.

330ci E46 review at some point?

I had a series 2 135 chipped to 175hp, put Eibachs & Koni FSDs on it (massive improvement) & it made me grin from ear to ear continually, & compared to others I drove, I seemed to have got mine to a kind of sweet spot. Quick enough with little turbo lack because of the smaller turbo, full of character which I loved & I'm bemused why James doesn't see that. However I also agree with him, it's woefully outclassed to drive & although mods can improve it, the steering is poor in both modes feeling oddly rubbery with little feedback in Sport, yet a little better but too light in normal. The interior's really low rent although leather seats help & electrically it wasn't that reliable (hatch loom, hatch release switch failure etc.) & the 5 speed box isn't really on these days. My partner then bought a highly specced Audi S1 which new, would've been about the same as a 695 Biposto. Granted you need lots of options to make an S1 hide its Polo roots, but it's light years ahead in every way & being 4 wheel drive, much quicker & the performance is usable all the time. Also, with the adjustable dampers & driving modes you can back it off when you want to, whereas the Abarth was at your ankles all the time like a Jack Russell. Definitely glad I owned one though & the owners scene is absolutely brilliant, second to none.

All fair enough. Don’t try hotter versions, they will not deliver more. We have a 2017 Comp and that struggling to put its power down, and in the rain it’s much, much worse. But your are misging 1 important point here. This car is an instant ‘happymaker’. Every time you see one, it puts a smile on people’s faces like no other car does. And that is worth every € of its purchase price (oh yes, buy the convertible, it magnifies all your impressions)