2021 Abarth 595 Competizione: owner review

We bought a Fiat 500 back in 2013. On a whim, sort of. We were between cars (eight-month wait before the new one would arrive) and needed a cheap city runabout to fill the gap. The 500 proved so delightful, it became the 'second car' that stayed with us for years. When the time came to finally replace it, we decided to upgrade to an even better one – the Abarth 595 Competizione.

It's easy to view the Abarth as little more than a hotted-up Fiat. For the most part, that's fair. Stylistically, it boasts a more serious intent than the minimalism of the 500 it's based on: bigger radiator vents, blacker plastics and bigger spoiler, but it suits the character of this hi-po Fiat special. And kudos for keeping it real – no fake vents, fake exhausts or fake chrome.

And being based on the 500, what's not to love? A seriously cute urban compact that will squeeze into the most impossible parking spots, yet has a TARDIS-like (for those Doctor Who lovers) ability to carry more inside than its tiny shell would have you believe. Four adults? Sure (as long as the rear passengers aren't tall). The boot may be small, but fold the rear seats and it swallows my bicycle.

Whereas the 500 is frugal, the 595 is furious. If Ferrari embodies the 'prancing horse' into its engine philosophy, then the Abarth's 1.4 turbo is the yappy Maltese terrier of Italian engine design. The power delivery is hilarious: mostly mundane below 3000rpm, then WHOOSH! – a power hit that subscribes to the retro style of authentic 1980's turbo lag! It's no real problem, you simply learn to drive with it (rather than it driving you).

And then there's the sound: officially it's a Record Monza Exhaust. All I know is that half of the quad-pipe system goes into a muffler, the other half exits straight-through. I have no idea how anything this gloriously raucous is road legal! And here's where the fun starts...

The handling is pure go-kart. Firm but not harsh – the Koni suspension is actually really well damped, nothing ever scrapes or bottoms out. The short wheelbase does give it a jiggly ride quality, but it just adds to the fun. The electro-steering is direct and offers plenty of grip, while the four-piston Brembos are almost overkill on such a light car.

The downsides? Where do I start?
It has almost no tech: no AEB or lane-change features, no cameras or even cruise control.

The base model's fuel-saving stop-start function? Missing on the Abarth.

No adjustable wipers, or seat heating, or folding mirrors, or anything remotely fancy. The leather seats are nice, if you are skinny, and want to sit really high. Limited adjustability means finding a comfy driving position is based more on the luck of your genetic body type. There's a digital cockpit, but it's harder to read than the earlier model's concentric analog dials.

The turning circle is woeful compared to the donor 500. So is the fuel consumption: you'd be lucky to get 300 (city) kilometres from the 35L tank, though that may be because it's impossible to drive calmly. And the huge turbo boost gauge atop the dashboard is just ridiculous.

Positives? It does have a small touchscreen with phone connectivity, but that's about it. The (optional) Beats sound system works well and is worth the extra coin.

In most ways, this car exemplifies the Italian automotive ethos. It challenges you to be a 'real driver'. Compromise? Fuggedaboudit! If you need all that extra stuff, then this car is not for you.

The thing is, amidst the legion of hot hatches, the Abarth isn't the fastest, or best-riding, or highest-tech machine. What it does do really well is offer huge fun! Whereas other GTIs can only be enjoyed on racetracks, all the Abarth needs is a gap in the next lane.

All those whizz-bang-dual-clutch-AWD specs are impressive, but clinical compared to the gratifying involvement of slick-shifting the manual yourself. Five-speeds may be old-fashioned, but it's also all you'll ever need. The 595 is so small you can physically use more of the road, picking your lines with more freedom than you'd think possible.

All this makes the tiny Abarth one of the most grin-inducing cars I've ever owned. There's little joy to driving in city traffic, yet somehow the 595 always makes it exciting. It is a car that has so many flaws yet offers so much fun. It very much parallels the antics of the Azzurri – Italy's famed footballers – who either miserably fail (to qualify) or dramatically win (many championships).

Frustration and elation in equal measure. It makes the Abarth as dramatic as any opera, in a most perfectly Italian way.

Owner: J Boss

MORE: Everything Abarth