Maybe fairer to have compared the abarth with the Cooper s than the jcw, the price difference is enormous! 22k for the abarth, 30+for the jcw, not really a fair comparison
Welcome to "Car and Driver" Moaning session. "Which car can we find most faults with this week? Oh I just cant decide, I hate my life and my job, that's why I come to work on a bike!!!!"
I completely agree! This video was nothing but nagging! Don't get me wrong, I like CnD, but this video had that feel of "Well....both cars are just plain bad. Hate the gauges, hate the brakes, hate the seats, hate the feel....blah blah blah...but I guess if I had a gun held to me to own one of these 'Oh so terrible' cars it'd have to be..."
oh i like finding faults... i just don't like the horrible lighting, camera, lack of personality and enthusiasm. shit on the cars certainly, but do it in an entertaining manner- these guys seemed depressed. my advice, take two shots of tequila before you roll
I've had the Abarth since last May and nothing has fallen off. And if you can't reach the steering wheel, move the seat forward. You did notice that the wheel is adjustable, didn't you? At the very least, you should have learned how to pronounce Abarth.
Car and Driver should pick reviewers that have a clue of what they are reviewing, stop comparing a Fiat or a Mini with a Ferrari, come on be more professional and objective instead of complain about how none of the cars are for you.
I tested both and bought the abarth 7 days ago and could not be more happy. $995 dollars later I have 2 hundred horsepower out of my fiat...loooove it.
I'm 19 and the abarth was my first car when I was 18. I couldn't have been happier. Since I bought it I have added a handful of modifications to bring her up to 173bhp and I can tell you this car is amazing. The mini? It's great, but has no character compared to the abarth. The mini may be faster and more confirmation, but the abarth gives you more smiles per mile. Period
One hell of car to have when you're 18-19! I picked up my 2015 a couple of weeks ago, such a great car and I love parking it in a heated garage (the exhaust is epic)!
Morgan ///AMG You are right Morgan! - Don't get me wrong, the Mini is a great car but it just does not compare to the abarth. Of course the mini is better quality (and more pricey!), but the abarth is just italian madness!
My mom drives one of these and i love it. These guys are complaining on a car they dont know a thing about and pretty much acting like they drive lambos to work everyday. This is a great car. But its not a family car, its a race car. These cars arent all special like a 95,000$ range rover. These are 35,000$ cars with a race pack. They were not built for a family to ride in everyday like a clown car. These guys are complaining about a fine piece of work. Like the trunk, and the wheel. If you were racing on a track you most like would want to have most control and have the wheel close. It helps with handling and stuff like that. And complaining about the exhaust is just BS. it sounds like a beast with it being stock. Its a beautiful car just these guys have minds that kniw nothing but opinions.
I've seen reviews by 2 guys who look 200x manlier than these two but didn't complain about a cars interior or exterior based on manliness. They gave credit where credit is due. I can understand the many thumbs down.
I don't think you guys are wrong...I just think you guys don't like small cars. A lot of your cons were coming from a) prejudice (it's a fiat so bash this part and that part), b) not caring about small cars enough. ALL small cars carry the negatives that you guys mentioned....so you want a bigger car then? You want all Minis to become SUVs??? It's reviewers like you that get cars like the Civic bloating up.
also Carlos abarths background story is he used to modify and race his own abarths. I'd say he left the door open to anyone. 22k for an abarth. plus a seemingly endless list of mods as affordable and we'll made as the car. so 22. check out the Jay Leno's garage and the modified abarth. good enough for Jay Leno. good enough for me.
Mini Coopers are my favorite car of all time. But damn...I saw a Fiat 500 and instantly fell in love with the thing. So it's my first car! I'm having SO much fun with it as I'm getting more and more comfortable with the manual transmission.
It just seems like if u were comparing the two cars u would pick the cooper s bc it's in a closer power and price range. So, when u argue well the mini is faster... Well duh it's almost 10 grand more money. No one ever mentions that the mini requires premium fuel either. Idk. Reviewers just came off arrogant too.
So perfect this was reviewed in SF. Just non stop wining with no real substance in the review.... San Francisco, where everyone thinks they're some sort of elitists with fingers pointing out but never pointed inward.
I had 2 older Mini's, the first one i got from Grandfather,low miles and went fast for a go cart (fun every time you drove it !! ) .Second one was for rally, fun but it fell apart all the time! but put smile on face. lol.
I flipped through some comments during the ad and the intro and thought "the review can't be that bad". I was a little wrong. Better editing and using reviewers that actually have a pulse would have been a big improvement. The other poster was correct, check other reviews for quicker, precise and upbeat reviews; Driven and TFL Cars (long winded, but at least more in depth)
For weeks I have had sleepless nights filled with agony and self loathing, unable to rest I began slipping into insanity. For me this video review of the Fiat 500 Abarth and Mini Cooper JCW is a godsend, at long last I have found something to silence the voices in my head and let my mind and soul slip into a deep sleep. Terrible video, wonderful sleep aid.
SF has so many tunnels-- should have given some nice bits of sound. I'd have the Abarth since it's not the easy choice. That and I'm already used to awkward seating and less-than-perfect dynamics. The Mini speedometer might be in the middle like I'm used to, but it's in a far less practical way.
I've lived with both for about 1 week each. . . both lots of fun. . . Mini did have better handling. . . Fiat sounded better - especially when rowing through the gears in the canyons.
I understand the comparo. These are both Euro hot hatches with roots in the 60's, but the modern versions really are in two different classes size and price wise. To be fair, the comparo should have been between the Abarth and the Cooper S. The JCW is actually 2 engine upgrades above the base and the Abarth is just 1. I believe a more potent 500 is coming too. The Essesse I believe.
The MINI cabin might be off-putting to some to start. But like almost anything you'd just get used to it eventually. Also the shifter is not really that easy to be put into reverse; if you can do that accidentally you're probably tugging on it a bit too hard.
I agree, i like the 500 better than the Mini, but if i had the chance to only drive one car on a windy road it would be no contest the Mini When someone asks u have u ever had the chance to drive a Mini u can say yes and they will praise u for it cause i believe in what Top gear (UK) presenter Jeremy Clarkson says, that we should all start with a mini as our first car because its like a road-going go-kart
I love all these great car reviews that have been coming available on youtube! Now, this Car and Driver one MIGHT not be the best one out there, but it's better than the complete garbage "car reviews" videos that used to be all that were available. Keep'em coming (and improving), CandD!
Mmmm, the black cack. My favorite. It's a family favorite so I'm not surprised. We've been eating black cack for centuries! You're a smart one, alright!
I own a cooper s and i drove once the abarth 500 it is a very good car but i agree that the mini is a superior car, I also own a porsche and even the comparison between mini and Porsche seats is true, the comments are very direct but true, i think this is a really good comparison
as much as i did not like this review, they did make a good point about the abarth steering wheel positioning vs the pedals and shifter...it is annoying there is no comfort level. Other than that this car is SICKKKKK sounds like heaven
I don't understand why all you auto journalists keep comparing the 500 Abarth to the JCW Mini. Why not the Cooper S? That seems much more appropriate of a comparison. The JCW is an aftermarket tuner that just happens to sell thru its dealers.
I have NEVER had a problem going into 1st and 3rd in a mini. You have to really beat it to get it to go in reverse as you are driving. I did try it when i had my 2005 when i first got it because i was afraid to put it in there as i was driving. My only conclusion is he didnt drive it. Ive never driven a fiat so i can't compare the two, but i am devoted to minis.
Let's be honest, most of us here aren't watching this because we're actually in the market to go pick one of these up. So let's have a little more of what we want to see, the cars flying down the road, and some humour, with a little less: here let me read you the spec sheet.
Looked to me that the in the slalom test the mini was about to fly off the track while the mini was sharp and nimble. The mini had a lot of body roll. IMO the Fiat looks better inside and out. I hate that huge speedo in the middle of the dash on the mini. Guess that is why I bought an Abarth. The seating position is a bit high in the Fiat but so fun to drive.
My only question is why not compare the Abarth with the Mini Cooper S which actually in the same price range. The JCW is nearly $7000 more than the Abarth
I see several advantages in the Fiat. The car offers cheaper fun, can probably be serviced by a larger number of dealers and is slightly sharper looking than the Mini.
I felt like I was watching a video made by non-professional car enthusiasts... I suggest editors prepare the words before shooting. You have two men but almost only one is talking all the time. MotorTrend's car reviews are more enjoyable to watch. Please take our advice and make better reviews for all your supporters!
Although I like the Abarth More aswell in the United States the only Abarth we get is the 160 hp version. We get the 135 hp 500 as the "turbo" or 500T.
I have talked to the local fiat dealership. if they do the modding for you it doesn't void the warranty. just what I heard from dealership. also the clutch isn't covered either way it can be manipulated by human error on any make and model. the abarth and turbos can be modded easily to have strong boosts with just tuning. the tuning on an abarth isn't the best. and detuned on the turbo. with 600$ you can flash tune it. which would push it to 99% potential. the flash tuner starts at 80% and learns over the course of about a month with gains close to 100%. I'd like to see a mini jcw race a abarth flash tuned fiat
To a complete neophyte, a person who cares little for cars beyond their cuteness, comparing these two cars makes sense. But when one car costs almost 30% more than the other, and is in a different category (A vs. B) can a review really be of any worth? This review also underlines how some people may be great in print, but do not cut the mustard on video.
For someone not on a track the steering is subjective. I really wanted a mini but hated the steering and loved the Fiat's. I love being able to accelerate through a corner and let the steering wheel feather out of my hand and straiten itself out perfectly without any effort. The mini by my definition is flat and has to be steered back strait.
I forgot to mention, bad and weird review, this are the 2 best subcompact cars (benchmarks), it looks to me like since the beginning they compared them with a Ferrari and M3 so they focus on the bad and made them look like a pain to buy, if I had 100K of course I wouldn't buy them, but if all I had was 25K and I wanted performance instead of Fit or Yaris then why not buy them
The JCW and the Abarth are an unfair comparison. Here in Canada, there is also a huge difference in price - $23 995 for the Abarth and $36 900 for the JCW (base). These two cars are not in the same camp. The mini S would have been a more appropriate comparison but even then, the S comes in at $28 950. Seeing as there isn't a dramatic difference between the Abarth and the S, pricing tips the scales in favour of the Abarth. I think all 3 models are great though.
Mini has at least 3 different seat options for their cars. The best are the leatherette ones. The premium package with the auto climate control is a completely different ac and is much better.
I think it's a fair comparison. Two smaller displacements cars both with turbos, also both higher up trims of the same cars. As cool as the Fiat is, I just think the Mini Cooper would be a better daily driver, especially for looks. I feel like I'd be ashamed driving in something so.. cute?
I agree and think the Mini is better in every aspect, but still think this is not a fair comparison for the fiat. If you were to pay attention the base 500 competes against the base Cooper... Now the natural competitor of the 500 Abarth is the Cooper S, not the Cooper JCW!
I normally don't comment on videos, but I felt compelled to do so on this one. I was extremely interested in this video for the content and while the review itself is informative, the video is honestly a bit flat and boring. These two cars are enthusiast oriented hot hatches, and despite the price and performance gap it could have (and maybe should have) offered a bit more enthusiast content and a bit less Consumer Reports style walking-around-the-car/sitting-in-the-car nitpicking.
I dont know what Mini they were driving. They all rattle when you hit the slightest road imperfection. There is torque steer with the turbo. Parts often fall off in your hand. For 32k you can get the much higher quality and entertaining BMW 1 coupe. The Mini will be loaded vs a striped 1. I think the Abarth with Zero options is a wonderful value. It is completely unique. It is fun on the road. It also sounds amazing. Much more than 23k and there are much better enthusiast cars out there.
The fiat is not an Italian car. It has an engine made in the US with59% Mexican parts content assembled in Mexico. It's a ford developed chassis and suspension licensed by fiat from ford. No Italian engineers were involved in its development and even in Europe it's made in Poland. So this is a ford Chrysler..
If you were going to run out and buy a Hot Hatch stock where speed and handling are what you want you should first look at the Ford Focus ST, Renault Clio RS or VW Golf GTI.
I loved loved loved the Abarth when I drove one. Great sound, better power delivery than other 1.4 turbos that I drove the same day. (chevy sonic) But mainly the Abarth just stirred me up, I wanted to take it home with me, I wanted to keep on driving it. I do love the Minis, but the JCW is way too expensive and there are traits that I just can't embrace - like the central speedo, uninspired steering wheel, etc.
Abarth looks better and is more fun to drive and sounds better. Overall the Abarth is more interesting.That's what cars are really about, so the Abarth wins easily. Most Super car owners and car enthusiasts also have an Abarth, not a Mini. There is a reason for that !
I get the Fiat. Everyone saying they would do the same and purchase upgrades ,but I don't think Fiat would make a actual effort in the aftermarket parts. Who knows though with all the comments on this video things could change.
In my opinion you get a bang for your dollar with the Abarth vs the Mini. I truly think that you guys (car n driver) wasn't very just to the Abarth, from the get go I saw that you guys disliked the Abarth and well everything else was Mini all the way, so you guys wasn't really fair in your judgments towards the Abarth. If it were me I'm Abarth all the way...
75 Reasons to Buy a Fiat 500 over a Mini Cooper 1. The Fiat 500 base price MSRP is $4600 less (-23%) than the base BMW Mini MSRP. 2. The Fiat has a 5 star European NCAP rating for driver & passenger safety. Mini has a 4 star rating on driver & passenger safety. Mini has 5 stars for rollover protection only. 3. The Fiat has better aerodynamic CD; Fiat: .35, base Mini: .37, Cooper S: .39 4. The Fiat base weight is 352 pounds less than the Mini’s base weight. 5. The Fiat’s maximum passenger/cargo capacity is 970 lbs., 154 lbs more than Mini’s 816 lbs. 6. The Fiat’s 34.8 ft. turning radius is over 3 foot tighter than the Mini’s 38 ft. 7. The Fiat’s ground clearance is 4.1 inches; the Mini’s ground clearance is 5.5”. 8. The Fiat has lower insurance rates than the Mini yet the same warranty; 4 years, 50K miles. 9. The Fiat has 3 year 36K free maintenance, includes car rental and is transferable! 10. The Fiat suspension sub frame is attached w/o rubber isolators that could fatigue or wear out. 11. Fiat has twice the percentage of USA/Canadian content and Fiat’s engine is made in Michigan. 12. Fiat parts prices compare lower in price than BMW Mini parts. Exterior Comparison: 13. Fiat has 14 exterior colors but only two are $500 extra. Mini: 7 of 10 colors are $500 extra! 14. The Fiat is taller overall with more upright seating position for better road view than the Mini. 15. Fog lights on Fiat Sport & Lounge are standard. Fog lights for base Mini cost $250. 16. The Fiat Lounge has fixed glass sunroof standard. Mini has no such thing. 17. The Fiat electric sunroof is an $850 option but the Mini sunroof option costs $1000. 18. The Fiat has quieter DBA noise level at idle and at speed on the road. 19. The Fiat has lower emissions than the Mini as well as lowest in class. 20. The Fiat Bi-Halogen headlights use the latest hi-tech bulb and of course daytime running lights. Interior Comparison: 21. The Fiat has more space within the wheelbase devoted to passenger room. 22. Fiat drivers fit up to the 90th percentile adult, up to 6’ 1” without bumping headliner. Drivers up to 6’3” fit well in the 500 without the sunroof option (which takes 2” headroom.) 23. Fiat rear seat passengers cover a 70th percentile, up to 5’9 without bumping liner. 24. The Fiat has more rear seat leg room, Fiat 32.2”, Mini has 29.9”. 25. The Fiat 500 has 6.5 cubic foot trunk space, more than the Mini’s 5.7 cu. ft. 26. The Fiat has a longer luggage floor w/ seats upright, even though it’s shorter outside. 27. The Fiat 500 has a longer luggage floor with the seats folded down too! 28. The Fiat holds 30 cu. ft. of cargo w/ seats folded down; the base Mini only 24 cu. ft. 29. The Fiat base front passenger seat has storage compartment under seat cushion. Mini does not. 30. The Fiat has an outboard top seatback lever and inboard lower lever for rear passenger egress. 31. Centralized pod instrument bezel on the Fiat is directly in front of the driver, not on Mini. 32. Fiat driver levers; switches & controls are much easier to reach than the BMW Mini. 33. Fiat drivers do not need to tilt their head to see the heater controls, only look down. 34. The Fiat gear shifter is closer at hand than the Mini and a very short throw. 35. The Fiat center armrest is standard; the Mini center armrest is a $250 option. 36. Fiat offers heated seats & mirrors for less than Mini’s $750 cold weather combo package. 37. The Fiat 500 has an HVAC system with micron air filter for the cabin, even on base models. 38. The 500 offers “equivalent temperature” sensors, changing settings based on inside and outside conditions of temperature, humidity and airflow. 39. The Fiat includes a security system as standard, a $500 Mini option. 40. Tom-Tom docking feature on Fiat eliminates wires or plug-ins to cigar lighter. 41. The Fiat offers a superior “Blue & Me” interactive link w/ steering wheel controls & USB port. 42. Fiat’s Blue & Me system is $400 option, a similar system is a $1750 package on the Mini. 43. The Fiat has “Eco-Drive”, a down load application to review driving habits. 44. The BOSE 6 speaker system made for the 500 uses 50% less energy & 30% smaller hardware. 45. The Fiat BOSE audio has amps under the front passenger seat, out of the way. Performance Comparison: 46. The Fiat manual gets better mileage; the Fiat 30/38 MPG vs. Mini’s 28/37 MPG. 47. The Fiat does not require premium fuel. All Minis require at least mid grade 91 octane! 48. The Fiat 500 has a better power to weight ratio than the Mini base 1.6 engines. 49. The Fiat has patented Multi-Air valve technology, unavailable on the Mini. 50. The Fiat Pop, Sport & Lounge all have a stainless steel exhaust system standard. 51. The Fiat has hydraulic cam followers; Multi Air system reduces pumping losses. 52. The Fiat 6 speed automatic is $1000 option; mates buying the Mini pay $1250. 53. The Fiat automatic transmission has a one touch shifter + or -. 54. Fiat has a dashboard “Sport” switch sharpens steering and auto trans shift points. 55. The Fiat “hill holder” keeps the manual car from rolling back (or forward too) on grades. 56. Fiat has traction control standard. It’s an option on base Mini for $250. 57. The Fiat’s “HBA” hydraulic braking control compensates for pressure in panic stops and lowers actuation time for maximum braking force. 58. Fiat braking “EBD” reads actual wheel speed data for faster brake response times. 59. The Fiat “ESP” calculates wheel longitude and lateral grip, cutting in when wheel slip is beyond parameters by adjusting throttle input and opposite wheel brake bias. 60. Fiat’s “ASR” reduces wheel slip at all speeds and adjusts torque for grip detected. Safety Comparison: 61. The Fiat has 7 airbags standard while Mini has only 6. Fiat includes driver’s knee airbag. 62. The Fiat has double seatbelt pretensions to tighten in a crash event sequence. Mini has only single belt pre-tensioners. All Fiat seats include 3 point belts and reactive head restraints. 63. The Fiat has a lower forward vision angle of 8%, Fiat driver sits more upright. 64. The Fiat’s narrower “A” pillars are of high tensile steel for safety w/ better visibility. 65. The Fiat front & rear seats have anti submarine devices to prevent sliding under belts. 66. The Fiat has breakaway foot pedals in high impact frontal crashes to protect feet. 67. The Fiat has soft energy impact hood area in case the car ever strikes a pedestrian. 68. Fiat’s “FPS” (fire prevention switch) cuts off and stops the electric fuel pump in a crash, even a rollover crash. Then the Fiat automatically turns on the hazards, interior lights & unlocks doors. 69. The Fiat’s interior trim is flame resistant. Mini does not use flame retardants. Heritage Comparison: 70. Fiat since 1899 is an independent manufacturer. Mini was BMC, now owned by BMW. 71. Fiat owns Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, New Holland Tractors, Kobelco Construction Equipment, Magnetti Marelli and Teksid, the world’s largest engine foundry. 72. The original Fiat 500 appeared in 1957, the original Mini in 1959. 73. The Fiat 500 is sold in 90 countries; more than the BMW Mini. 74. Enzo Ferrari drove a Fiat to work daily. However, Enzo also owned a Mini and loved it too! 75. Fiat SpA holds the record for most European Car of the Year Awards (Fiat 500 won in 2008), most World Rally Championships, most Formula One Championships.
