For those unfamiliar with the Abarth badge, think of it as Fiat’s high-performance division, a skunkworks similar to Mercedes-AMG or Nissan NISMO, but perhaps with an even greater emphasis on playful, borderline-crazy fun. Abarth’s history is built on transforming humble, practical city cars into exhilarating machines by injecting them with a potent mix of performance enhancements. The result? Cars that are incredibly engaging to drive, even if they sometimes feel a bit over-the-top for everyday street use. But does this hold true for the Fiat 500c Abarth? Can this scorpion-badged convertible actually be enjoyed as a daily driver? Let’s dive in and see what the buzz is all about.
The Fiat 500 Abarth has always been about injecting fun into the everyday commute, and the convertible 500c Abarth takes that ethos and adds open-top thrills to the mix. It’s a car that immediately grabs attention, not just for its distinctive Italian styling, but for the promise of a spirited driving experience that the Abarth name brings. But beyond the looks and the heritage, what’s it really like to live with the Fiat 500c Abarth? Our team got behind the wheel to give you their perspectives.
Staff Impressions: A Symphony of Fun and Quirks
Joe Gearin – PowerDork
Joe Gearin admits upfront, “I’m not a big fan of the Abarth’s cutesy looks.” He finds the Italian design “a bit too cartoonish,” making him feel “a bit silly” as a grown man driving it. However, stepping past the aesthetics, Joe is captivated: “I love nearly everything else about this little demon!”
He highlights the commanding driving position reminiscent of early GTIs and the “punchy little turbo four” engine that means business. “It rips around turns and rewards you with a turbo blast upon corner exit that will leave you giggling like a school girl.” While noting the traditional Italian driving position with the steering wheel feeling a bit far, Joe sees it as a reminder of the Abarth’s unique character. “The Abarth is not a cookie-cutter econobox, and that’s OK.” He vividly describes it as a “Chickenhawk attacking Foghorn Leghorn,” a “Jack Russell terrier picking a fight with a German Shepard,” emphasizing its tiny yet mighty nature.
The sound experience is a standout feature for Joe. “Yes, this miniature Fiat packs an audible wallop. It’s perhaps the best sounding little car I’ve ever driven, and makes all other ‘sporty’ small cars sound boring and tame.” He emphasizes the emotional connection to the sound, stating, “It may not post the fastest 0-60 times on paper, but it FEELS faster because of the glorious racket blasting out of the exhaust.” Joe confesses to “screaming around in second gear at 5K RPM just to envelope myself in that lovely ripping rhapsody.”
Despite the polarizing looks, Joe concludes that the Fiat 500c Abarth is designed for driving fun, and it delivers “better than any small car in recent memory,” even including MINIs and MX-5s. He acknowledges the novelty of the semi-convertible top, which “opens up the sky without sacrificing structural rigidity,” but questions its value, suggesting he’d prefer a tin-top version for “Corvette hunting– just for laughs– because laughs are what this car is all about.”
David S. Wallens – Editorial Director
David S. Wallens, Editorial Director, directly addresses the magazine’s readership, urging them to experience the car firsthand: “If you read our magazine, then you need to try out this car in real life. Find a way to spend a few minutes behind the wheel.” He predicts three likely reactions: outright love, preference for the hardtop, or appreciation but ultimately opting for something more refined like a BRZ/FR-S, MX-5, or even a used Boxster or Cayman. However, he firmly states, “I don’t see anyone not liking it. I just see different reactions to the driving experience.”
David expresses his own enthusiasm for “the engine, the chassis and the looks.” He finds the driving position “nice and upright,” albeit “a bit too tall in the saddle.” He also highlights the surprisingly spacious interior for its size, noting, “It’s small but not totally cramped inside. Using the back seat and trunk, my wife and I fit our entire grocery load in the car–figure enough for two people to last three weeks or so.” He also enjoys the “nice burble” of the exhaust.
His critiques are minor: “The shift linkage could be less rubbery. The highway ride could be better. The gauges could be less weird. The interior could feel a little more refined.” These points suggest areas for improvement but don’t diminish his overall positive impression of the Fiat 500c Abarth’s engaging character.
Ed Higginbotham – PunchyWrench – UberDork
Ed Higginbotham, initially wasn’t completely won over. “I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t swept off my feet by this car on the first drive.” He found the “clutch didn’t have much feeling, throttle response wasn’t very sharp,” leading to an initial impression that it “just wasn’t as wild as I had pictured it in my mind.” However, a second chance errand run changed his perspective dramatically: “But then I stepped in for the second time to make a run to the grocery store and fell in love on the way.”
Ed was pleasantly surprised by the interior space: “The first thing noticed when you step into the car: ‘Wow, there’s a lot more room in here than I thought.'” He also immediately appreciated the aggressive exhaust note upon startup: “Second is the exhaust note when you start it up. It just sounds angry.” He praises the on-road performance: “Into first and you’re off. after the turbo builds pressure, you have enough on hand to make a trip in this car exciting. The ride is great for the street and the breaks even better.”
Ed’s minor complaints include the “seating position—a little high—and the shift light.” He finds the shift light’s programming overly eager for upshifts, flashing “when you are doing 24mph in fourth gear,” pushing for fifth gear even when it leaves the car with “little to no power.”
Regarding the styling, Ed diverges from some criticisms: “A lot of people are down on this car because of the styling. I personally like it.” He acknowledges the “bulbous” nature due to its city car origins but appreciates the Abarth trim, stating, “but the trim added by Abarth evens it out nicely.” He even sees customization potential: “With the add-ons available for this car, it could easily be transformed into the wild hatchback I expected it to be.” His bottom line is clear: “I’d buy one.”
Rick Goolsby – Reader
Rick Goolsby, representing the reader’s perspective, had a memorable experience: “I was fortunate enough to score the Fiat Abarth for the evening on the day it arrived at our office.” He even incorporated it into “daddy/daughter date night,” winning points with his daughter despite her scorpion phobia, “Even though she is deathly afraid of scorpions, she able to get past the scorpion logos on the car and had a great time zipping around some back street autocross route to Smoothie King.”
Rick’s driving experience was immediately positive: “Driving home from work that evening was a blast! The Abarth is very nimble in the handling department and the engine revs quite nicely with no turbo lag.” Like others, the exhaust note was a major selling point: “The biggest selling feature for me though is the exhaust note. I had heard talk of this before, but had never really experienced it until I drove the car.” He even embraced the convertible top in hot weather just to enjoy the sound: “In 95 degree weather (with a feels like of 108 degrees) in the height of the Florida summer, I could not help but rolling the top back and lowering the windows just to hear the little Fiat Abarth sing.” He considers the convertible top more of a “big sunroof” and expresses a desire for a “true convertible top in future models.”
Rick praises the interior quality and layout, “The interior quality was very good and everything was laid out nicely,” while noting the unusual placement of the power window controls “on the center console on the dash.” He also mentions familiar minor gripes: “the driving position seemed a bit awkward and the shifter felt a little rubbery.”
Ultimately, Rick’s enthusiasm is undeniable. “So the question becomes, would I own one? And the answer is….you bet I would just for the exhaust note alone and everything else would just be icing on the cake as this would make a great second car to add to the stable.”
The Verdict: Fun-Focused and Unapologetically Abarth
The Fiat 500c Abarth emerges as a car that prioritizes driving enjoyment above all else. While opinions on its styling may be divided, the consensus is clear: this little Italian convertible delivers a driving experience that is engaging, entertaining, and sonically delightful. The punchy turbo engine, nimble handling, and distinctive exhaust note create a character that is both playful and surprisingly potent.
While not without minor quirks, such as a slightly rubbery shifter and a driving position that might not suit everyone perfectly, these are easily overshadowed by the sheer fun factor of the Fiat 500c Abarth. It’s a car that encourages spirited driving, rewards enthusiastic cornering, and puts a smile on your face with every blip of the throttle. If you’re looking for a small, characterful convertible that injects excitement into everyday driving, the Fiat 500c Abarth is definitely worth a serious look. It’s a pocket rocket with a sting, and it’s ready to deliver a dose of Italian fun to your daily life.
