Abarth 595 vs BMW 2 Series
What's the difference?

Abarth 595

—

2018 price

View pricing & specs

BMW 2 Series

$59,023 - $103,400

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2018 Abarth 595

2026 BMW 2 Series

By Tim Robson

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Turbo 6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.8L/100km (combined)

8.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Good engine/chassis combo
Surprising grip levels
Unusual

Superb performance and dynamics
Excellent interior, now even better
Surprisingly relaxed and sophisticated

Dislikes

Terrible driving position
Ride not great around town
No reversing camera

Some road noise
Big turning circle
We wish it were prettier

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.

View full pricing & specs

2026 BMW 2 Series Summary

Coupes are back.

Heading into the second half of the 2020s, buyers of affordable sports cars seem better-served for choice than when the current BMW 2 Series Coupe surfaced earlier this decade.

Mazda’s MX-5 keeps gently evolving. Toyota and Subaru have rejuvenated their respective firecracker 86/BRZ twins. The glorious Nissan Z is as evocative as it is entertaining. The recent Ford Mustang revamp serves rousing American muscle car. The reborn Honda Prelude looms as a hybrid hero. And even Audi’s TT is set for resurrection soon.

All reinvigorate the genre. Just like the (G42) 2 Series Coupe, the third in the series since 2007, released during 2021 and facelifted in 2024.

Here we revisit the M240i xDrive, our favourite version (sorry, M2 owners), to see if it remains the definitive brand experience.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2018 Abarth 595 2026 BMW 2 Series

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

It may be expensive for a small coupe. And EVs have reframed performance standards to the detriment of most internal combustion engine sports cars like this – at least for acceleration times. But the M240i xDrive Coupe is far more than just about numbers, imbuing the soul and spirit of what makes this brand’s vehicles so enjoyable and memorable to drive.

A unique and most-welcome survivor today, the MY25 makeover takes all that, and improves the interior, to be at the heart of what BMW has traditionally done best (styling aside). We found parting with it at the end of our term very difficult.

Abarth 595 vs BMW 2 Series What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Abarth 595 vs BMW 2 Series
What's the difference?