Abarth 595 vs Mazda 3
What's the difference?

Abarth 595

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2018 price

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Mazda 3

$19,950 - $42,998

2024 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2018 Abarth 595

2024 Mazda 3

By Tim Robson

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.8L/100km (combined)

6.6L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Good engine/chassis combo
Surprising grip levels
Unusual

Stunning design
Superb cabin presentation
Athletic handling and control

Dislikes

Terrible driving position
Ride not great around town
No reversing camera

Small boot
Gloomy rear seat
No more manual

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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2024 Mazda 3 Summary

Half a decade on, the current-generation Mazda 3 has weathered a world of change.

Cheap cars have vanished. Electric vehicles are commonplace and the small car class it belongs to has been decimated by SUVs. Big names like the Ford Focus, Holden Astra and Mitsubishi Lancer are history.

But while it looks identical to the car unveiled at the 2018 LA Auto Show, today’s Mazda 3 has also evolved, albeit gently.

Let’s see how competitive the latest and improved (as well as more expensive) version is.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Abarth 595 2024 Mazda 3

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

Given how effortlessly it traverses the mainstream and premium small car classes, the Mazda 3 might be the best value small car on the planet.

With racy styling, sports car handling, classy interior presentation and impressive, intelligent efficiency, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into here.

Poor rear vision, a dark back-seat area and smallish boot aside, it doesn’t have any glaring faults.

In a world overrun with SUVs, props to Mazda for evolving the small car so brilliantly to mask a half-decade of existence. Continuous improvements have made the 2024 G25 Evolve SP Vision an essential small car shortlist proposition, regardless of price.

Abarth 595 vs Mazda 3 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Abarth 595 vs Mazda 3
What's the difference?