No other car defines the term Pocket Rocket quite like the Abarth 500. With a peppy 1.4-litre turbocharged engine under the hood, the Abarth 500 is a hoot to drive in any situation.
The facelifted and updated Abarth 500 was launched locally in 2017 and with it came a host of changes to both the exterior and interior. The engines and drivetrains remained largely unchanged, but the updates made the compact catapult just that much more appealing.
Related: 2017 Abarth 595 Competizione review
Should you wish to look at a used Abarth 500 that is older than a 2017 model, you may feel a little short-changed. Here is what changed with the facelift and what makes a new Abarth 500 different to a used, pre-2017 model.
1. Front end
The front end of the updated version receives a new bumper and grille treatment. The new bumper is aggressive in its design with large airdams and a purposeful valance with the Abarth name in the lower section of the airdam.
The headlights are redesigned and feature a polyelliptical design with LED daytime running lights.
2. Back end
It's not only the front that has received an update, the back end has too. While you're still going to get that aggressive diffuser, but it has been subtly remoulded and still houses the dual-exit exhaust tips. Above that though, you will spot the new LED taillights that now create a circular shape with a section of body-coloured material in the centre.
3. Wheels
The 2017 update brought with it no fewer than 11 different wheel choices. With sizes ranging from 16- to 17-inch, you are able to choose the design that you like best. The 595 Competizione is only available with the 17-inch SuperSport wheels though, thanks to its massive brakes.
4. Interior redesign
This one is a little more subtle, but as you spend more and more time in the cabin, you will appreciate the new material used in the interior.
The steering wheel has been redesign and is now more ergonomic than before and still retains the steering-mounted controls. You get swathes of carbon fibre and Alcantara on the Competizione model, along with Sabelt seats in leather and Alcantara with carbon fibre shells.
5. Infotainment
The updates Abarth dives into the modern age with a 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system called uConnect. This system, while featuring a small screen is rather powerful and includes all the connectivity you could want but is devoid of Apple CarPlay. Tourismo and Competizione models get a 7-speaker BeatsAudio sound system.
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