Abarth 595 vs Skoda Fabia
What's the difference?

Abarth 595

—

2018 price

View pricing & specs

Skoda Fabia

$24,690 - $33,485

2024 price

View pricing & specs

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2018 Abarth 595

2024 Skoda Fabia

By Tim Robson

By Chris Thompson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Turbo 3, 1.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.8L/100km (combined)

5.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Good engine/chassis combo
Surprising grip levels
Unusual

Playful and capable
Ergonomics and ‘Skoda’ touches
Fresh exterior design

Dislikes

Terrible driving position
Ride not great around town
No reversing camera

Interior styling still looks sub-$30K
Low-speed DSG hesitancy
Rear seat space

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

2024 Skoda Fabia Summary

The smallest car in Skoda’s local line-up is also its most affordable, but only just.

When the current generation Fabia launched with the halo Monte Carlo variant at almost $40,000, it was a bit of a surprise for a small hatch from what’s seen as an affordable brand.

Now, there’s a new entry-level version of Skoda’s bub and, while it’s not nearly as cheap as it once was, it offers a choice that’s more within reach for anyone keen on a premium small car.

Can the Fabia Select convince customers looking at the likes of the Mazda 2 or Suzuki Swift to go Euro and cross the $30,000 threshold?

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2018 Abarth 595 2024 Skoda Fabia

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

Once you get past the shock of the Fabia no longer being a sub-$25K car (because let’s face it, what is anymore?), the fact that it remains refreshingly simple to live with and engaging on the road should be celebrated.

It has its downsides if you need space, and you can buy a light (or even small) SUV for the same price, but you’ll be compromising in other areas.

The Skoda Fabia can’t do everything, but what it can, it does well. Plus, it’s certainly less common than the similarly priced Toyota Yaris.

Abarth 595 vs Skoda Fabia What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Abarth 595 vs Skoda Fabia
What's the difference?