Abarth 595 vs Audi A7
What's the difference?

Abarth 595

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2018 price

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Audi A7

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2019 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2018 Abarth 595

2019 Audi A7

By Tim Robson

By Matt Campbell

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

5.8L/100km (combined)

7.3L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Good engine/chassis combo
Surprising grip levels
Unusual

Glorious to behold
Surprising value
Great safety kit

Dislikes

Terrible driving position
Ride not great around town
No reversing camera

Launching with top-spec petrol only
Still some options to pick
Some tech quibbles on launch

2018 Abarth 595 Summary

Since 1949, Abarth has been giving the venerable Italian brand, Fiat, a patina of performance, based largely on giant-killing feats in small modified cars like the Fiat 600 of the 1960s.

More recently, the brand has been revived to boost the fortunes of the smallest Fiat on sale in Australia. Known formally as the Abarth 595, the tiny hatch packs a bit of a surprise under its distinctive snout.

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2019 Audi A7 Summary

Audi is known as a design-led brand, and arguably no model in the line-up embodies that ethos more than the Audi A7 Sportback.

This all-new version of Audi's largest swoopy five-door hatchback takes the concept of the original first-generation version and, rather than reinventing the idea, reimagines it with a more modern and even more style-focused look, inside and out.

And it's a very convincing execution, indeed.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Abarth 595 2019 Audi A7

Verdict

It’s tough to be kind to the Abarth 595. Based on a platform that’s more than a decade old, the car has been left behind by its rivals in many ways, including basic ergonomics and its value equation.

The larger engine does work well in this smaller package, and its road-holding ability belies its size. However, only die-hard fans of the Abarth brand will be able to cope with the uncomfortable seating position and a complete lack of even the most perfunctory features that cars costing $10,000 less are able to offer.

Verdict

The Audi A7 is a really likeable car, one that is heavily focused on style but also emanates substance. The 55 TFSI model will appeal to many, but my initial impression is that the best buy in the range could well be the entry-level 45 TFSI. I can't wait to sample it sometime in 2019.

Abarth 595 vs Audi A7 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Abarth 595 vs Audi A7
What's the difference?