2023 Abarth 500E Turismo First Drive Review: All You Need To Know! 

Sooooo…. What do we think?!

Nah. Not for me. You can’t beat the noise when you start a proper Arbath and when you start giving it some beans .. utter heaven 😂

I don't understand how they think its acceptable to go from a £18k to a £35k car? Outrageous!

I like it a lot aesthetically and the interior especially but the price is pure insanity. It was a long time ago, but I bought my first Abarth in 2010 and it cost £13,500 brand new, which made it a bit of a bargain for what was then a really rare and unique little car. But £40,000 is now INSANE. And it puts it well out of reach for many many people. It’s not a car of the people anymore. It was an obtainable hot hatch with a cool badge and a great brand history. They’ve now positioned it in a whole other sphere. I would still like one, but there’s no way I’m getting finance for 40 grand to pay for it. Interior looks great, refinement sounds like a major improvement. Sound generator is stupid.

If they put an ICE in that body then I will buy one.... but I cannot justify buying an electric car at the moment.

For about the same money you can buy a MG4 X-power, that will do 0-62 in less than 4 seconds. That car comes with a 7 year warranty and is a larger car and has more range. I love Abarth, but this is just too expensive.

Rich mans toy. I realy can't see a real Abarth enthusiast accepting this. Depreciation will be horrendous

They should've made the sound the same as when you driving an automatic. Let it change through the gears, and make the driver select pops and bangs and all of the rest. I agree with Stef that it does sound like you're stuck in the wrong gear.

I’m on my second comp and seriously interested in this, I am probably not alone in thinking there will be a faster version soon, so that’s a hold back, the price is high especially when fiat have just dropped the uk price of the 500e by 3k cos they can’t sell enough. The cabin is a huge step up. The range isn’t a problem for me personally but I would have preferred a more modern ‘noise’ rather than an engine but I could live with it. Great review as ever - I’ll wait rather than buy at the moment.

I like it, its a very good start. I had 4 std Abarths, the "slowest" version and loved all of them Now we need a car that carries adult passengers, otherwise I'd be interested. Its the price and range that are the issues Coolest EV on the planet

It's the review I was waiting for. It seems to be a fun car on the road, and it's a real Abarth. The sound generator is great. I've driven an Abarth 500e for a short ride in the city and I've enjoyed it.

Greta vid fella, a great start from Abarth, could have done with a tiny bit more range and should have been 2-4k cheaper, overall though I love it. Can’t wait to drive one and review it myself too. Cracking video as always Stef 🙌

Sound, looks and is awesome. I want one in yellow.

Great vid and like the car. Anyone know where the event took place?

Car looks awesome and the interior is spot on, price is ouch 😮 Stef, your looking amazing 🤩

Hi Stef just think abarth has almost got this nailed right from the get go it's just the price that will put potential buyers off but the sound generator is a bit of a game changer maybe 🤔 one more thing you've passed PP on your subs well done mate now its time to catch up with Joe 👏👏

That’s expensive and underpowered. Bearing in mind for 35k you can now get the new MG4 X Power with 435 bhp. Horses for courses you could say but one has a lot more in the stable!

The emergency lights on a hard break it's a FIAT thing that goes back many, many years.

I’m new to these sound generators, but I thought they just put sound into the cabin so you could hear the car and react to the noise, rather than sound being generated outside the car for pedestrians to hear?! I wondered why you lowered the window, have I got this all wrong 😂

Just wait a year the depreciation on electric cars is insane

So many "affordable" EVs seem to be stuck with a range of 150 miles or so, at best (Mini, Leaf, Peugeot e-208). It seems the technology is hardly advancing despite all the hype. And this one isn't affordable either

We’ve got a 595 competizione and I’ve got to say I love this ev Abarth

I think Abarth have the look of the exterior and interior bang on, they look fantastic…(I’m an adrenaline green comp owner )but I’m still not a fan of EV, I just can’t imagine driving an electric car. I honestly think if Abarth released this a couple of years ago in a combustion engine, they would of sold so many. Abarth have been needing a change of shape for a long time now, they lost their way like you said.

Seating position still that high like the previous models?

The brand died in 2023 with this EV. RIP Abarth.

For me this car is a bad joke, but I like the color

The interior is a huge update for sure. They made all the changes while still keeping its classic overall design. The sound generator is not bad and you can turn it off. The issue is cost and in the USA it is projected to be starting price of $30,000 and if the Abarth version comes to us then it will be around $36,000. That is a lot of money for a car that is slower than the highest spec Chevrolet Bolt EV. Heck... The Mini Cooper SE Electric is having a hard time selling for around $32,000... Big price cuts need to occur in America for the Fiat 500 to last more than a year here. Fiat claims that they are aiming for the luxury crowd in the USA this time around yet I have not seen one new Fiat 500e that is anywhere near luxury.

You would have to be really keen on electric cars to pay 40k for this. That begs the question whether you are spending wisely ? I think not. And if your a keen driver 40k would buy you a much better drive in the second hand market. One word springs to mind. QUADRIFOGLIO. I agree, Abarth have lost their way, but at the same time , appreciate they have to start somewhere. And if only that range was not so pitiful. 😢

Stef is their an 2024 petrol engine abarth

Loved my Comp but sold it to go EV travesty I know. Would I go for this, I don’t know I kinda like having a boot and soft suspension

I like the look, I like the fact that Fiat are actually developing an EV, and I like that it'll be cheap to run (for most people), but I don't like the upfront cost. Also I don't like that they keep getting bigger. Fiat needs to make a smaller EV about the size of the old Seicento.

Fun is all we need ❤❤

Nice to see a new video Stef :-) For me... I can't be happy with these unemotional rolling computers. Especially not for the debatable reasons behind it.

I tried the Pirelli Scorpion Verde tires. They do not last as long as the Pirelli Cinturato P7 tires, and get a lot noisier and bumpy feeling close to the wear bars. Sticky tires made the unreliable front axles even more unreliable for previous Fiats, hopefully better for these, with the much higher price.

very good

Lol feel like going for a drive, crap low on battery... 12 hours later whoop I can go for a drive

I'm glad the brand have continued and gone ev as that looks the way for all manufacturers. I'd deffo miss the gear shifting and I think 40k really needs to be revised as surely most of the die hard abarth fans have abarth combustion engined motors that are 13k and below. How could a normal working person afford this if this is the way the government want us to go. Yeah 2030/35 is a way away so maybe EVs will be cheaper by then. As long as abarth keeps going as I love the brand and the history. 🇮🇹🦂

I personally don't hate it, and I don't love it either, I get why they made it, But the specs were a bit underwhelming, The fact it has a Bawhair more power than a stock 145, Is a bit Hmm.. The tunability factor, Other than styling mods, Where do you go from there? But it does have that better quality interior, Some remnants of the character of the older 595, What abarth tend to do is Milk the scene by introducing slightly faster models down the line, With a car this small, Power is gonna be hard to achieve, So well done on what they accomplished, I guess I expected much better specs, For now I'm happy with my IC Abarth lol

Sorry haven't convinced me to sell my petrol abarth

It looks good, and its limits are achievable unlike ridiculous 600+bhp Ferraris etc. But for just over £40k you could get a Premiere Edition Alpine A110 with low miles..

When solid stage batteries become cheaper they'll be perfect for this. 150bhp is fine for this size but the battery is too heavy atm.

I want to like it but I just can’t. I partexed and went for an M140i then caved and went with an ST after the fuel bill and I still miss the 595c in a way even though I have found the ST to be more stable on the back roads, each to their own though 😊

Amazing quality footage. Great car, just shame about the range.

We've owned abarths for a few years. We're interested in EVs but this doesn't work due to the range, speed and cost. Some much more powerful EVs are the same price. Think this doesn't get on the list. Also, is there an option to turn off the noise? Hope it works for others, perhaps as a 2nd city fun car.

500❤❤❤❤❤❤

I think you have to be a fanboy to have one of these. Just watched a video of the new Volvo EX30. For the price of the Turismo you can have a dual-motor EX30 with a 0-60 of less than 4 secs. Faster than a 911 apparently. You pays your money.....

Excellent video Stef off to Wincanton to order one 👍

If this was a bit faster, I bet it would be tremendously popular. With electric and that cost, we should be seeing much faster speeds.

Great video as always Stef, great looking car too...... BUT, Here in the US, I've yet to see one and probably won't. As successful as EV's are here in the US, it's also proving somewhat of a juxtaposition. California, for example, is one of the first states to really push the EV envelope. When I lived there in 2013, I saw my first Tesla, sure there were plenty of Priuses in the east coast but not really Tesla models. Now fast forward to today. California is experiencing serious electrical brown outs and strain on the grid. As it's average temperature is in the 80's year round in Southern California, and when summer hits, it's even higher. So the EV proposition is really starting to show it's downsides. Now the price, it is cheaper than most EV'S but the range just isn't there. I guess that's what you get for your money spent. I'd like to see a comparison between the Abarth EV, Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, and Prius. Toyota uped the ante on the Prius to like 200,220 hp and it actually looks really cool, prior to that you wouldn't catch me dead in a Prius. That is where the Abarth shines brighter than the EV offerings, it just looks beautiful, and yet again the range just doesn't justify the cost. It will need a bit more range and hp for me to drop 40 grand on it.

Hi Stef, I shot a vid on an Esseesse just up the road from home (here in New Zealand). My first experience with these little rockets! It's part of of a nice collection, largely BMWs, also a nice Jensen Interceptor. Feel free to pop over to my channel for a look at an Abarth Esseesse in NZ! I think I prefer the look of it to this one. Fun car though... I get it now.

It certainly looks the part but…. I couldn’t drive around in a car sounding like it was stuck in third gear all day long!! 😂 long live the petrol engine!!

How pathetic is that , to have an actual sound of a real engine in an electric car! Be like driving around in first gear everywhere with that sound in the cabin .😂🫢

I bought a Mazda -MX30 2 years ago and it had a similar fake engine noise I hated it and I turned it off.

Nice mink float 😂

Hmmm - I owned a 65 plate Turismo, already outclassed by the competition. Now this new Abarth is up against the cheaper MG4 Xpower with 429bhp, 100 miles more range and far more space. Sorry Abarth, your new car is an embarrassment to the badge.

I must admit to liking it but get rid of these black bonnet eyelashes. Great video as usual from Stef.

Sticking with my petrol car until the wheels fall off

Take it from somebody who knows what he’s talking about. Forget this car. Just buy an Abarth comp/ esseesse, anniversary or similar. If you want/need an electric car, go for a used Tesla M3 Performance and put it on coils (will cost you EUR 35k) plus proper wheels/tires (19 feels better and will work with the brakes). Together with the Abarth, you‘ll have the best of both worlds. Why do I know? After driving hundreds of cars in my life, including many EVs (Kias, etron, Model S) and MBs, Porsches, Audis - that’s what I should have done. I bought an expensive BMW convertible instead, yes it’s fast, yes it’s fancy and no, it’s not nearly as fun as an Abarth worth 1/3 of it. Coming close to the fun of the Abarth, you need to invest a lot in tuning of cars like a Boxster, Mini (R53/56), Focus RS, etc and they are so fast you can’t really squeeze them.

Needs more range I will stick with my kona ev more power more range

2 Liter Turbo with 250HP and we are fine.........

Bonkers money. No thanks at that price. Mid 20s? Maybe.

Love the sound. Finally a brand gets the fake noise right !

lil gokart

I would rather have an EV which makes it’s own unique sound track and not trying to sound like a ICE. BMW in my opinion has got the EV sounds correct.

Seen one in person very bassy the fake exhaust but it’s cool I feel like these are way overpriced

Having the car making an artificial 'engine' sound while it is an electric car is just plain sad.

40k for abarth😂😂 Rather go for M4 all day long

My jcw with every option onit including the, upgraded 18'' wheels rear cam pan sunroof heated seats add cruise control wireless charge folding mirrors front/rear parking sensors head up display auto wipers and so on ect............ was £36.105 with 231hp and with a remap for £300 will take it to 305hp And I thought that was expensive hahahahaha £37 k for a fiat that is as big as a shoe box and feels like it was made in china hahahha who in the right mind has got the money to waste on one of these oh yh forgot to mention my mini... takes 3.5 mins to charge up with dinosaur juice :) and sounds like a spitfire flying past with an ak47 trying to shoot it hahahhaahhahaah #justkeepoil

No not for me .ilove my turismo 1400 cc sound

£38 k is insane 😢, that’s Tesla territory and a lot of pizza 🍕.

Need to go back to petrol is what they need to do, f net zero, f ulez

What is the profile of a potential customer for this car ? The plus points you mention in your review are rather artificial. It may handle in a respectable manner but the car weighs more and is larger than the petrol versions. The range is laughable and the price is extortionate. I will remain in the past with my 595 and Elise. Love your videos though !

34k yo 41k pound ....... in my part of the world I can jolly buy an Isuzu pick up with this kind of money

Had the competzione for less than year, great power but horrid over 30mile journey... seats horrendous

needs to be 30k max for top trim. 0-60mph needs to be under 5 secs. Come on Fiat......

Range is very disappointing. Here in the US we arent looking for city cars meant to do a shirt commute and pop to the shops. One highway run and thay battery is dead. My 15 Abarth is a great highway car. This thing? Isn't.

0.3 seconds faster … oh dear.

Insulting honesty, I can’t wrap my head around that they are trying to trick us. I’m sorry, but how can you justify a recording vs the real thing? I understand this is the future, and that’s what’s coming with recorded sounds, but it’s unfortunate.

All you need now is a remote control! What nonsense.😢Sad to see.

BUBBLE BE TRANSFORMS CAR ABARTH 😂😂😂😂😂

Agree that 152 hp is enough. Slow car fast rather than other EVs that are dangerously fast with zero audible feedback.

Oh no the revving sound is so bad would turn that right off

Unfortunately they’re asking too much and not giving enough.

I'd rather die, then have an electric car, it's not even quicker than my current abarth

Ive had 2 Abarths, a Trofeo and a Comp and love Abarth. However, absolutely not.......why would anyone buy one of these, the price is an absolute scandal when you compare the range and what you get for the money. Its kind of a laughing stock

Goofy ahh car

No

The sound makes it similar to a cvt🤮

The price is extortionate

10 or maximum 13,5 yes... 41????? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

It’s slow, it’s not involving, design is bland, price is extortionate

I think Abarth lost it. It's questionable from the outside design, the sound is just stupid, it's crazy expensive, the range is limited an thus you can't really take it to the track or do long backroad runs. I can't imagine selling my 2019 combustion Abarth for this expensive POS.

I'll pass😂

Never, ever would i buy this!

For me this is the unfortunate demise of the Abarth brand. Not interested at all.

This car is over €40,000 so it’s utterly irrelevant what it drives like it’s stupidly overpriced and nowhere near worth the money.

Noooo !!! Not an Abarth sorry . . .

Germany is already started moving away from getting rid of petrol cars as they have realised there is not enough lithium in the world for everyone to have an ev, same people pushing for ev moan about human rights for criminals but don't mind the child labour to get their new evs 😂

🤮

Boring. This EV's will go away, it's just trash.