Abarth 595 vs Honda Jazz
What's the difference?

Abarth 595

—

2018 price

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Honda Jazz

$9,999 - $19,999

2018 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2018 Abarth 595

2018 Honda Jazz

By Tim Robson

By Peter Anderson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Inline 4, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Good engine/chassis combo
Surprising grip levels
Unusual

Capped-price servicing
Build quality
Huge interior space for its size

Dislikes

Terrible driving position
Ride not great around town
No reversing camera

No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
VTi-S very pricey
Lack of advanced safety features

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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2018 Honda Jazz Summary

Honda's Jazz is like the little engine that could.

It occupies a shrinking part of the market but has seen off a bevy of once-were competitors (most notably the Hyundai i20) and continues to battle gamely with the Mazda2.

Honda gave the range a little tweak in late 2017 to hand us the MY18 Honda Jazz. Some features were lost, and a few gained in an effort to keep up with Mazda's finest.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Abarth 595 2018 Honda Jazz

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 Honda Jazz is an extremely capable small car, with an ace card of virtually unbeatable interior space. While it's hardly an excitement machine, or the best looking or equipped in its class (it is missing out on some useful safety gear), the Jazz deserves its status as a well-loved hatchback.

The best in the range is probably the VTi. There isn't anything compelling further up the variants unless you're keen on bigger wheels or leather trim. Its entry-level offering is a good-value, sturdy car that is packed with its best qualities, no matter which one you buy.

Abarth 595 vs Honda Jazz What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Abarth 595 vs Honda Jazz
What's the difference?