Review: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth (Manual) 

Anyone who talks crap about the Abarth is only doing it because they secretly want one

The one thing I notice about Abarth reviews is it almost always puts a big smile on the driver's face.

Your expressions from this video made me test drive an Abarth last week. Now I'm the proud owner of a 2017 Abarth!

Nice review! Jon is also stopping by to let me drive this thing too which is great. Seems like an awesome dude.

I have 32k miles on my 2012 Abarth and I commute 70 miles a day in Pittsburgh traffic. I've averaged 31.5 mpg over the 32k and I never drive out of sport mode. It's all stock. I regularly get targeted by people wanting to validate their purchase of a Honda or VW and sometimes I win and sometimes I lose, but I like that I can hit the on ramp without missing a beat. Some guys get a little offended when I go by them and they chase me down. It's all good and it's all fun. And in case the thought is in your mind, I t-boned a Ford Escape who U-Turned in front of me going up a hill at 40mph and escaped with just a stressed sternum and esophagus.. I was going about 40 when I hit him. It did $14,700 damage to the Abarth and took almost 2 months to get fixed, but it's been primo since. In all, it's been a reliable, good vehicle with a really good fun factor. I'm in my 60's and have owned about one of every auto class they make over the years. I put this in the top 5.

Subaruwrxfan phrase, "So lets turn on to this back road here."

he looks so happy!

Some of you might be scratching your head about why he is enjoying this car so much. I've test driven 2 of them and had the same excited reaction myself. You can't knock it until you actually drive one. They are not going to be a car for everyone,but they are absolutely a blast to drive. I've driver WRXs, Focus STs, Civic Sis, etc...this is equal to the fun those cars provide, but in a different way. It's hard to describe until you try one. Nice review.

These reviews just keep on getting better and better; the quality of your work easily reflects the amount of subscribers you have, which is consistently growing larger. Keep up the good work man.

After stumbling across your videos while shopping for a sti, I found myself watching a lot more of your videos. I think what makes your videos fun to each is seeing how excited you get at accelerations. Also your able to describe your experience well to the viewers. Thanks for putting these together and keep it up!

that thing sounds like a rally car

So glad I got one of these!!! Great cars, not dime a dozen like a Cooper S and just sound the bollox when you get to high revs!!! Not the quickest out there but definitely puts a smile on your face.

It's truly a drivers car. I rarely turn on the radio, don't need it..the exhaust is music.

Dat DUST! The Abarth is nice, seen 2 so far in NYC. They seem like great city cars too. Fun and tiny. The exhaust is pretty surprising. Sounds mean.

The good ole days! Keep killing it Matt been here for years!

Being italian living in a commonwealth country can't stop saying to all my friends that an Abarth is something unique you would like to own for a while and try pn backroads and just have some good fun. It is a great car she was born by rallies in the early 60's then till early 80's Fiat produced these cars then she's came back now to bring it to you in the north America. Very nice review, agree with the cheap materials but you actually can not change that stock radio and the mods by unichip is very insane I've never seen a +200 hp 500, good luck to handle that! ;) -Joe

Love seeing this thing around, great to see it on the channel!

Good review, love the data on screen! Your reviews have really stepped up a notch.

I own my abarth since 2 years and still giggle like you when i drive it !

These are easily one of the best sounding cars you can buy. Hearing them in person is beautiful.

i love the new addition to your reviews (the plus and minus) certainly emphasizes and takes the review to a higher notch.

I was skeptical about your review at first but you nailed it!! I wanna drive this car now!

Great review, you really upped your vocabulary and didn't repeat the same descriptors very much. Props to you :)

Loving mines a year later after purchasing, always gives me giggles and smiles so worth buying

Great job on the review!! I have a modified 2014 GQ abarth OMG I love this car so much Its very fast.Great car

I'm really impressed how awesome these little cars sound even stock.

neighbor across the street has one of these Abarth 500's and they are a very aggressive sounding lol, awesome review man

Hey brother I'm glad you do these videos!! You helped me decide to get a cobalt ss/sc!! I was hoping you did a review on this car!!! Thank you!!!

I'm getting mine all modded out to be a total beast soon, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Most people treat them like crap sadly.

Great car! Love your freakin enthusiasm!!! Great review!

"It puts a smile on my face that I dont always get" I think every car you've driven on here has given you smiles lol

You literally just sold me on this car with your excitement when you hit second gear. LMFAO

Thats a pretty insane power jump. I love the way these things sound.

Haha the little note about the cup holders amused me. My 2010 Cube (which just got totaled, now looking into an Abarth) had 12 cup holders. Yes, 12 - 3 in the center console like the Fiat, one behind the E-brake, one in each door (4 total), 2 in the fold down back of the rear center seat, and then 2 to the left of the steering wheel for the driver (though one was more suited for something like a redbull can than an actual cup). I'm actually going to really miss the driver's cup holders, they were super handy.

I've driven some 500 Abarth's and they are really cool cars..! Nice video Matt!

Like the summary panel -- thanks for increasing the readability!

10:03 Is there a connection between being at a high RPM on 2nd gear making it easy to miss 3rd? I do it all the time as well.

Always have admired these!

Cool review! Keep up the good work! subaruwrxfan

I drove one yesterday, it was really fun actually! I was pleasantly surprised by the car, the seating position is a little odd but it does give you the perception of being in a larger car. The shift light likes to yell at you at 2k RPM to maintain higher MPGs, it was easy to ignore from my experience though. The only issue I had with the shifter was from 3rd to 4th, it's a little odd how the shifter seems to be set up. Overall, I really enjoyed the car and with it being just a commuter car and nothing else I think it would fit perfectly as I rebuild my old dodge dak.

it's cute seeing you so happy haha nice review!

Really enjoyed this review. Thanks!

I've seen and heard some of these in our autox chapter in ATL. These are awesome cars. The sound of these alone will absolutely make you fall in love. I have Evo 8 and these sound a lot more aggressive. People really need to give these monsters a chance. When you see these flying around the course your eyes WILL NOT! believe your EARS. I'm not sure about the regular Fiat 500s but the Abarths are A+++ in my book.

I love how you summed up this car. People in Europe like to look down on these cars because they are a lot of show and not that much performance, but they are just such fun cars to drive. The only downside is that they are expensive for what they offer. For a fully loaded 595 model you're easily looking at almost €28k, which is a lot for a small car, especially an Italian one.

Nice review Matt!! I actually really like these... And I don't really know why either...

so are the new power figures at the wheels or crank horsepower?

This review helped me take the leap into hot hatches and I'm so glad I did! I wanted a car that would make my commute fun. Performance is so high nowadays but in every day driving I wanted fun within reasonable speeds. The Abarth delivers especially with a few mods. 50k miles 5 yrs ownership and she still makes me giggle. My exhaust is stock but it turns heads and people mention how mean it sounds at gas stations. As far as sports car it's great (after couple mods) up to 9.5/10ths on mountain roads. Go into a corner too hot, she'll get you round it but you might need new pair of underwear. It's just a small step behind the mx 5 or 240sx I've had and it's lightweight means it buries the muscle cars in corners.

Matt can you please keep the bullet points on the screen a bit longer, or wait till the end of the video to show em. Im almost illiterate, i cant read that fast bro. I still use my fingers to keep track of which word im on. I could pause the vid but that sucks. Good review!

Someone might have already asked this but... Do those power figures come form a dyno? I am looking at possibly buying one of those.

We just drove that car and its awesome!!

Matt, this (stock) or the Fiesta ST? :)

That intro song gets me everytime!

I started to really like your reviews Keep it up

I have a 2013 Dodge Dart 1.4 turbo and the engine comes from these abarth 500s and i love the car. My dart has a muffler delete and intake on it and sounds almost exactly like his car. LOVE IT!

NICE REVIEW MAN KEEP IT UP!

I almost bought one of these mainly because the one I was looking at was a really good deal but decided to go with a GTI for the practicality. These abarths sound pretty cool though!

Can you do a neon srt4 or e36 m3?

Hey Matt, what's his channel? Its not in the description and you said he had one during the video,

don't know why you had problems shifting gear. the stick defaults to the 3rd / 4th plane so to get to 5th from 2nd you must've been pushing the stick over too hard instead of allowing it to follow it's natural pattern

Great video Matt. Nice that Jon had upgraded the engine, the standard Abarth is just not powerful enough to match the aggressive looks.

Love your old intros

I drove the automatuc Abarth today and it WAS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!

Subaruwrxfan I need your help! Been a huge fan of your reviews and need some advice on my next car! I've been looking at the Civic si 2014(new), a slightly used Abarth (4000 cheaper then the si), a barley driven fiesta St (demo1300km 1000 less then the si). I need something fun fun fun with good mileage and decent storage. Not concerned about passenger rear seat space. The civic and the Abarth are lower on insurance for me over the fiesta St. Thanks for the advice. :)

Sounds so much like an srt-4, love it!

Nice review! Can u please review a 2004-2005 saab 9-5 aero! (If u can ever find one lol)

Was that boost gauge totally stock? that is awesome!

Would this be a good first car?

I commented on dudeinblues channel too about one of yall reviewing my car. Just got a 2013 genesis coupe 2.0t a couple months ago an it's fun as hell. I honestly don't kno what more r on it already, I think just a tune, gear swap and an aftermarket clutch but Idk to b honest, too bad I'm all the way in bowling green Kentucky or else I'd have U review it. Nice video btw, now I wanna drive an abarth lol

I've owned lots of cars. Some quite expensive. Drove an Abarth and just had to get one. Bought a used 2013 Abarth Ragtop. Car isn't particularly fast but does everything well. Put some better stabilizer bars and frame braces. Rest is stock. Just love this tiny car and it is very fun to drive, a blast in fact. Only issue is assholes in their Pickup Trucks tailgating and trying to run me over or off the road. Not a good feeling to have a 3.5 ton truck on your ass.

Any info on the tune? I'd appreciate any help. Thanks.

Subaruwrxfan I really enjoy your videos. and I really like that fiat 500a

Great review. I've always liked these little Abarths. Sadly I read that Fiat isn't doing too well in sales. And they were pretty low on the list on reliability. Still, they have their charm.

Is there someone that can help me out regarding the maximum Body size for the Abarth

I'm surprised that insurance is actually super low. I am honestly tempted but could never switch to a smaller car now, but this would be an amazing daily or first car.

You need to review a Hyundai veloster turbo I'm interested to see your opinion on it

Now that you've driven this and fiesta st, how would say they compare?

Would you buy this over the new Mini's.

Nice review! Thanks!

Matt let me know if you ever wanna review a newer 500 Abarth! My lightly modified 2017 500 would certainly not be opposed to someone else in the drivers seat and I’m in Philly area so I could come to ya!

@subaruwrxfan you should review a Hyundai Veloster R-spec. I just bought one and it's an amazing car I just wanna see what you think About it .

A personal pod is exactly how I feel about mine, well said.

Great review

Without a doubt, my Abarth is the most fun I have ever had in a car that I have purchased!

What area of Pittsburgh do you live in?

It had a beats sub in the back that looked stock...... How is the audio outdated ?

I miss mine I now have a focus ST which is much faster but my MODIFIED Abarth would tear up my current ST on a tight road. The Abarth would take my ST for the first 10 feet in 2nd, 3rd gear but after that the ST would spank it bad. Stock the Abarth needs so many upgrades in its stock form, the ST from the factory is a much better thought out car. Great car! and review

Makes a similar exhaust note and whine as my old SRT4. Miss that sound.

I want this car!

2nd to 5th and the laughter died down lol. Good review :)

Scion xb has the shifter in that location too. Just like the ep3 si.

This thing looks cranky. I love it!

Nice Car, Nice Review!

Those things sound awesome.

Can u do a review on Mitsubishi eclipse

Would you get the abarth over a gti ?

are thos exhaust stock?

I love this car!

subaruwrxfan Nice review and its either me hearing it or you saying it but I feel like I heard respronse again

My brother bought one 2 days ago .. what an awesome coincidence :3

Could you review a cobalt ss please ☺