Is the Abarth 595 Competizione More Exciting Than the New Fiesta ST?

This little rascal has been around for many years and is loved by people who have enough money for a car collection. As Jeremy Clarkson once put it, there's something that makes you smile about a Fiat 500.

But that's not necessarily enough to fight off the best models in the segment, and today we're going to compare the brand new Fiesta ST to the 595 Competizione. First off, the Ford scores a point for its great interior. It's not as exciting to look at, but the materials are of better quality.

The Abarth scored a surprising victory in the infotainment department. Although using Android or Apple in the Fiesta is better, the factory-installed navigation of the Fiat is from TomTom and gets live updates.

So how do they compare for engine sound? Well, the Fiesta ST is now powered by a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo, which is no match for the Italian car. Everybody knows that the Abarth Monza exhaust is worth the money.

The reviewer says that the Fiesta ST is a brand new car and has novelty value, but we disagree. Park a yellow Abarth somewhere crowded, and at least one person will think Ferrari has begun to make city cars. So driving has to be the deciding factory, and in that regard, the Ford is better engineered.

It's got a limited slip differential that glues the front end, 200 horsepower, launch control and can slide its tail easily. If we're honest, that's everything you need in a hot hatch, and the Fiat falls short in some areas, and we're not going to nag about the practicality.