By most accounts, when you’re available in the market for a subcompact sizzling hatch, the Ford Fiesta ST is the one to purchasenot less than right here within the U.S. Certain, you possibly can at all times go for the Fiat 500 Abarthhowever the Ford is the higher automobile. Really, if you wish to get technical about it, the Fiesta ST is each the higher automobile and the higher sizzling hatch. Regardless of being objectively worse in nearly each manner, although, demand for the little Abarth stays sturdy, and that is as a result of it provided one factor the Fiesta ST by no means may — the flexibility to make even probably the most boring of journeys enjoyable.
Once more, I can not emphasize sufficient that the Fiesta is the higher sizzling hatch. When Automotive And Driver in contrast the 2 in opposition to the Mini Cooper again in 2014, it concluded that “(u)nlike the five hundred Abarth and the Cooper S, the Fiesta behaves and strikes like a much more costly sports activities sedan.” It additionally discovered the Fiesta ST lacked the Abarth’s turbo lag, whereas providing extra torque, extra comfy seats with a extra comfy driving place, a nicer inside, a greater guide transmission and clutch, much less physique roll, a superior experience and higher braking. Others provided related critiques on the time, they usually have been all appropriate.
On an autocross course or a winding again street, it is exhausting to think about a single one that is aware of how one can drive stick having the ability to inform you with a straight face that they like the Abarth. On metropolis streets, although, the place subcompact hatchbacks are usually pushed, plenty of what made the Abarth worse begins to work to its benefit. Actually, when you do most of your driving in an city space, the Fiat 500 Abarth is arguably the superior sizzling hatch.
Abarth metropolis superiority
Think about you reside in Chicago and personal each a Fiesta ST and a Fiat 500 Abarth. It is snowing outdoors, and as you get began on dinner, you understand you are lacking one thing essential and have to run to the grocery retailer. It is solely two miles, however you do not wish to await the bus, so that you seize your keys. Which automobile are you taking? The Fiat, each single time. Even when you personal a Fiesta ST in actual life and adore it, on this hypothetical, the Ford stays dwelling.
Why? As a result of it is simply extra enjoyable. You will not encounter any enjoyable corners the place the Fiesta ST would shine, however when you take the five hundred Abarth, you get to expertise that unimaginable, raucous exhaust notice as you row by means of the gears. It might simply be a visit to the grocery retailer, however the Fiat will make it really feel extra particular. And when you do encounter any turns, the physique roll that is lower than best on an autocross course will inject a little bit further dose of drama into your in any other case boring drive. It is also not such as you want the ST’s rear doorways to choose up inexperienced onions and sesame seeds.
Even higher, Fiat additionally provided the five hundred Abarth as a convertible, which solely provides to the enjoyable, not less than when the climate’s good. You will not be driving that quick round city anyway, however drop the highest and roll the home windows down, and even a fast journey to the pharmacy turns into an journey. Heck, within the metropolis, a Fiat 500c Abarth would most likely be extra enjoyable than a Miata, and sure, I do know that is a daring assertion, particularly contemplating the weblog I write for. Miatas and Fiesta STs could put up higher numbers, however the Abarth was designed particularly to make boring drives extra pleasing.
Abarth > Miata?
As somebody who’s on his third Fiat 500e, I am most likely a little bit biased right here, however I did not precisely get into 500es as a result of they have been enjoyable. I bought into them as a result of they’re low-cost. I am not going to faux I do not see the enchantment of shopping for an Abarth to go together with my 500e, although. Actually, the current considered turning my now-fixed blue 500e right into a 500c Abarth is what prompted this put up.
On the identical time, although, a couple of years in the past, a pal got here to me with an issue. He lived in a metropolis and did not really feel like he bought to drive his NB Miata the best way it was meant to be pushed and thought possibly he ought to promote it to somebody who may do this extra steadily. You possibly can’t go from a Miata to one thing boring, although, and he needed my recommendation on what he ought to substitute it with if he did determine to promote. The Fiesta ST was the apparent selection, however I additionally instructed him to not overlook the Abarth.
What did he find yourself shopping for? The Abarth. Why? As a result of when he take a look at drove it, he realized I used to be proper. As a lot because the Fiesta ST was the objectively higher automobile, he merely loved the subjective expertise of driving the Abarth a lot extra, it was value it to him to purchase the more severe automobile.
Does that imply everybody should purchase a Fiat 500 Abarth over a Ford Fiesta ST? Under no circumstances. Should you dwell someplace that lacks good driving roads however nonetheless wish to have some enjoyable on a budget, although, not less than take one for a take a look at drive. You could be stunned how a lot better the more severe automobile finally ends up being. Sorry upfront to your neighbors, although.
