Abarth 595C Competizione test: sportiness and plenty of character in a pocket-sized package

If we think about which are currently the most attractive small compact sports cars on the market, models such as the Hyundai i20 N, the Ford Fiesta ST, the Volkswagen Polo GTI or today’s protagonist, the Abarth 595, come to mind. A small sports car which, although positioned a step behind in terms of power, is one of the most interesting options to consider among all of them, and in this test we will explain why.

First of all, starting with the design of this miniature sports car, it should be noted that although it keeps a design practically identical to that of the Abarth 500 that landed on our market in 2008, it still catches the eye of many when we drive through the streets, especially if we equip the Competizione pack our test unit had and opt for the convertible version of the model.

Dressed in Gara White, the front of the Abarth 595 features a sporty bumper with generous cooling intakes in its lower section, attractive fog lights, the classic arrangement of four light clusters for lighting, and a bonnet with rounded shapes but quite sporty thanks to the central ridge that gives it that distinctive touch.

Discreet but very rowdy

Turning 90 degrees, the 17-inch Montecarlo alloy wheels in lead grey are our favourite part of its side view, especially when combined with the red scorpion badges and the red Brembo brake calipers.

From the rear, it is clear that we are looking at the convertible version of the model, since remember that this electric roof can be folded not only in its roof area, but also back to the area where the boot lid begins. In addition, if we lower our gaze a little further, we find a sporty black diffuser where the four tailpipes of the Record Monza exhaust are located, which is responsible for the sporty roar of its engine and for bringing out our tougher side when we enter a tunnel or a car park.

The best and worst of its interior

Inside, our Abarth 595C Competizione was fitted with spectacular bucket seats signed by Sabelt. Besides having a spectacular design with carbon fibre backs, these seats offered perfect lateral support provided you have a slim build, as they are quite narrow. As for comfort, it must be admitted that this is not the Abarth’s strong point, since the tuning of its suspension combined with the Sabelts will let you feel any road imperfection through your back.

Regarding the driving position, although the bucket seats allow the seating height to be lowered slightly, you will find a rather upright and somewhat strange posture when you first get in. However, the perfect arrangement of its pedals, the proximity of the aluminium gear lever to the steering wheel, and the digital instrument cluster next to the turbo pressure gauge make you forget that posture and focus solely on enjoying this very special small sports car behind the wheel.

Accompanying the aforementioned digital instrument cluster, the Abarth 595 also features a touchscreen for the seven-inch infotainment system with compatibility for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a big plus for the little Abarth that lets us use Waze or Maps as navigation with complete ease, access our Spotify from the vehicle’s screen, or reply to messages and make calls using Google voice commands without taking our eyes off the road.

Is it practical?

Setting aside the roominess and comfort of the front seats, the Abarth seats up to four occupants, but are the rear seats sufficient? The answer is yes, with nuances, as they can get us out of trouble if we need to carry someone in the back, although it is not a car designed for that purpose.

Where there is a clear disadvantage compared with its rivals is in its boot, since the small loading opening in the convertible version and its 185-litre capacity are rather limited when compared with the figures of its most direct rivals. Although we must bear in mind that those rivals are around 200 to 300 millimetres longer, which for the Italian is also an advantage when it comes to fitting into smaller parking spaces, where we will notice its very tight turning circle.

Under the bonnet, the Abarth 595C Competizione uses the 1.4 T-JET 16V four-cylinder engine, turbocharged with indirect injection, which develops a maximum power of 180 CV and 230 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm, paired with a five-speed manual gearbox with a very good feel, although with longer travel than we would like, and a front-wheel-drive system that gave everything it had when the Abarth was pushed to its limit.

180 CV that goes a long way

Once we set off, although the 180 CV of its engine may not sound like much, its exquisite tuning makes us long for the weekend so we can head to our favourite stretch of bends to enjoy the roar of the Record Monza exhausts (an essential option) and the freedom of opening the roof and feeling the sun beating down on us directly, an unbeatable combination.

Its 1,145 kg weight means it cannot boast of being the lightest in its category. However, it feels very agile on twisty country roads, with a surprising poise that lets us take the car wherever we want, practically imperceptible understeer, and a rear axle that we can tease by lifting off the accelerator or through its powerful Brembo brake system with drilled discs, one of the aspects that surprised us most about this toy, as it never faded at any point.

The Abarth 595 has a limited-slip differential which is the key to its agile behaviour through corners and to distributing torque between the driven wheels so that you take the bend as if on rails. Other models can also boast of this, such as the Ford Puma ST we tested a few months ago, which makes us realise that you don’t need a rear-wheel-drive car to put a big grin on your face.

Turning to fuel consumption, the Abarth 595C Competizione ended the week with a combined consumption of 8.4 L/100 km over the more than 850 kilometres of testing we carried out. During that week we used it in a fairly varied way, driving in town, on the motorway and on mountain roads. However, if we adopt a calmer and more careful driving style, we can easily bring that figure down by 1 litre, which for a car that is 100% about enjoyment is not bad at all.

Price and conclusions

The price of the Abarth 595C Competizione currently starts at 29,066 euros, including the discounts offered by the brand until 1 April. It is undeniably a high price, but it will not be an obstacle for anyone who wants this car, since objectively it is not the best at any specific thing. However, its strong character and personality make it a unique car that you will fall in love with once you drive it.

Its firm suspension and Sabelt seats are not comfortable for long journeys or daily use, its boot does not take much luggage for a trip, its consumption is not the best, and its interior is not the most luxurious. But if these factors are not an obstacle for you and you are looking for a sports car to have a great time with and that stands out from the rest, the Abarth 595C Competizione is your car.