2014 Fiat 500 Abarth Esseesse Review

    When Fiat decided to return to the U.S. with a new 500, Mini was probably pretty mad. They have every right to be, because the Mini Cooper has done incredibly well over the past 15 years and has become king-of-the-hill when it comes to small hatchbacks. But Fiat just came along and stole Mini's thunder with the 500. Personally, I love the 500. Just looking at its retro shape makes me happy. And the 158 hp Abarth is even more fun to drive and even to own. 0-60 takes 7.3 seconds, which isn't inherently fast, but it does it in a way that you don't care if you're going unbelievably slow, just because you're having so much fun. The interior is sporty, stylish, and functional, even if it doesn't have things like navigation or a complete center console/armrest. If I were Fiat-Chrysler, I would make another performance-oriented 500, but would be faster and more powerful. And like the Volkswagen Golf, it would be called the "R". And until those Golf-related dreams come true, I'll just sit and read Car&Driver rant about the Ford Fiesta ST and how much better it is than every other car out there. They must have reviewed that car a dozen times. Enough is enough!