Audi A1 vs Abarth 595
What's the difference?

Audi A1

$18,998 - $29,990

2020 price

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Abarth 595

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2018 price

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Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Summary

2020 Audi A1

2018 Abarth 595

By Matt Campbell

By Tim Robson

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 1.8L

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.9L/100km (combined)

5.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Character-filled car
Sporty performance
City-friendly dimensions

Good engine/chassis combo
Surprising grip levels
Unusual

Dislikes

Fuel use a bit high
Expensive
Back seat lacks amenities

Terrible driving position
Ride not great around town
No reversing camera

2020 Audi A1 Summary

The Audi A1 2020 range offers something for everyone, and in the case of this particular variant, it’s the one you buy if you want as much grunt and gear as you can get.

It’s the top-of-the-range Audi A1 40 TFSI model, which gets the zestiest engine, the lengthiest equipment list, and offers performance to match some hot-hatches out there. It’s essentially an Audi-ised version of a VW Polo GTI.

This test wasn’t so much about the wow-factor, though. We put it through its paces as an urban runabout to see how it coped as a real-world city car.

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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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Deep dive comparison

2020 Audi A1 2018 Abarth 595

Verdict

If you’re eager for a sporty compact hatchback with premium design and luxury car badges, the Audi A1 40 TFSI is a very, very strong contender. It’s fast, fun, and functional for a little hatchback. It’s just very expensive, and for most people the $10K cheaper 35 TFSI model will tick most of the boxes. I’d recommend you drive it before signing on for the top-spec model.

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.

Audi A1 vs Abarth 595 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A1 vs Abarth 595
What's the difference?