Mini JCW v Abarth 595 Review - hot hatches tested - Autocar
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Date: 2022-04-17
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Comments and reviews: 10
Just
Having owned both (ish) I had the model bellow the competizione and now have a cooper S. Mini wins hands down. The Abarth is a right laugh to drive, feels a lot quicker than it is, has a fun exhaust note. But the build quality is pretty bad, the seating position is horrendous, only has a 5 speed gearbox, no space inside, pretty poor spec, has been around far too long. The most expensive model should be well under 20k. The mini feels like a natural progression, more grown up much better built, quicker, more practical, better equipment and costs me the same to run and insure. Abarth does have more character but that's not really a reason to own one.
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Having owned both (ish) I had the model bellow the competizione and now have a cooper S. Mini wins hands down. The Abarth is a right laugh to drive, feels a lot quicker than it is, has a fun exhaust note. But the build quality is pretty bad, the seating position is horrendous, only has a 5 speed gearbox, no space inside, pretty poor spec, has been around far too long. The most expensive model should be well under 20k. The mini feels like a natural progression, more grown up much better built, quicker, more practical, better equipment and costs me the same to run and insure. Abarth does have more character but that's not really a reason to own one.
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Cameron
I hope the next Gen mini is smaller. They're just too heavy nowadays. My father owned an R55 clubman Jcw and for me that was and still is the best hot hatch you can buy. 155kw and even though the -official- weight was just over 1100kg, we had my dad's car on the scales and it was under 1100kg. That car handled so well and personally no other hot hatch has a better sound stock than the R55/56 JCW's
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I hope the next Gen mini is smaller. They're just too heavy nowadays. My father owned an R55 clubman Jcw and for me that was and still is the best hot hatch you can buy. 155kw and even though the -official- weight was just over 1100kg, we had my dad's car on the scales and it was under 1100kg. That car handled so well and personally no other hot hatch has a better sound stock than the R55/56 JCW's
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Cobba
Look in all honesty I-m looking at either a base Abarth or Suzuki Swift Sport, the appeal of the Abarth for me isnt it-s all out capability it-s the fun and character it provides and it by far has the most exotic engine out of most hatches these days and I understand that FCA makes cheap cars but that-s exactly what it-s meant to be, cheap, fun, classic sporty hatch experience
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Look in all honesty I-m looking at either a base Abarth or Suzuki Swift Sport, the appeal of the Abarth for me isnt it-s all out capability it-s the fun and character it provides and it by far has the most exotic engine out of most hatches these days and I understand that FCA makes cheap cars but that-s exactly what it-s meant to be, cheap, fun, classic sporty hatch experience
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Diogo
Its unfair this comparison but interesting. Mini is a segment up of the Abarth. To me Mini exterior is boring and really not beautiful at all, yes its a really competent car but its not anymore a Mini. its really big. so, i dont see this being a Mini. Yeah. i would go for Abarth, because its a true pocket rocket, and have a sound that today not many cars have.
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Its unfair this comparison but interesting. Mini is a segment up of the Abarth. To me Mini exterior is boring and really not beautiful at all, yes its a really competent car but its not anymore a Mini. its really big. so, i dont see this being a Mini. Yeah. i would go for Abarth, because its a true pocket rocket, and have a sound that today not many cars have.
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TobotronPrime
you don't buy an Italian car for their quality plastics or superior leg room, you buy an Abarth because its one of the best sounding 4cyl, most outrageous, cheeky cars you can get for under 10-15k!
additionally the 595 is in competition with the Up Gti and Polo Gti - the Mini S vs 595 is a ridiculous category comparison
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you don't buy an Italian car for their quality plastics or superior leg room, you buy an Abarth because its one of the best sounding 4cyl, most outrageous, cheeky cars you can get for under 10-15k!
additionally the 595 is in competition with the Up Gti and Polo Gti - the Mini S vs 595 is a ridiculous category comparison
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steve
Though I definitely think the Mini JCW is the top of the line mini, there is always something about them that just doesn't work for me personally. I recently drove a Cooper S and an Abarth 500 (595 Turismo equivalent in the US) and I enjoyed them both but I purchased the Abarth because you just don't see them often
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Though I definitely think the Mini JCW is the top of the line mini, there is always something about them that just doesn't work for me personally. I recently drove a Cooper S and an Abarth 500 (595 Turismo equivalent in the US) and I enjoyed them both but I purchased the Abarth because you just don't see them often
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Huw
Both cars are full of character, and offer more than just 'transport' which is so welcome in a sea of shoulder sagging blandness. If buy either of these and expect practical, efficient, comfy, economical motoring then you have bought the wrong car. Enjoy them while you can, we probably won't see their like again.
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Both cars are full of character, and offer more than just 'transport' which is so welcome in a sea of shoulder sagging blandness. If buy either of these and expect practical, efficient, comfy, economical motoring then you have bought the wrong car. Enjoy them while you can, we probably won't see their like again.
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Damian
-Do you still really like it? --
-Uhh, no! -
I stopped watching at that point. Anything that's said after that point is going to be tainted with the, 'no' reply. I did want a Cooper S, but when THREE garage owners shake their head stating, -load of rubbish that break all the time-, you have to listen.
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-Do you still really like it? --
-Uhh, no! -
I stopped watching at that point. Anything that's said after that point is going to be tainted with the, 'no' reply. I did want a Cooper S, but when THREE garage owners shake their head stating, -load of rubbish that break all the time-, you have to listen.
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asr
i don't think its fair comparison, the mini is much more expensive and more expensive to run, i got the abarth cause i want to drive, i don't need lots of settings option like all german cars nowadays, german cars offers things that i don't need, the abarth should have been compared to the cooper s anyway.
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i don't think its fair comparison, the mini is much more expensive and more expensive to run, i got the abarth cause i want to drive, i don't need lots of settings option like all german cars nowadays, german cars offers things that i don't need, the abarth should have been compared to the cooper s anyway.
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bernard
Had several sports cars - 250 to 300 hp - and now owner of an 695 ABARTH RIVALE Cab. -remaped- STAGE 1 and I just love it: the ABARTH is a little bull -you have to train-! SUCH A FUN! :-D PS: had also a MINI COOPER S All 4 184 hp but such a heavy dude. !: -(
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Had several sports cars - 250 to 300 hp - and now owner of an 695 ABARTH RIVALE Cab. -remaped- STAGE 1 and I just love it: the ABARTH is a little bull -you have to train-! SUCH A FUN! :-D PS: had also a MINI COOPER S All 4 184 hp but such a heavy dude. !: -(
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