Abarth 500e vs BMW 1 Series
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Abarth 500e
From $60,500
Sedan
Electric
Electric
113kW
—
ANCAP: no data
185L
BMW 1 Series
From $57,600
Hatch
Petrol
Petrol
115kW
6.4 L/100km
5★ ANCAP
380L
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Price Breakdown
The Abarth 500e starts from $60,500 before on-road costs, while the BMW 1 Series opens at $57,600. That makes the BMW 1 Series the more affordable entry point by $2,900.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $66,550 and $63,360 respectively.
The Abarth 500e qualifies for FBT exemption as an electric vehicle, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The BMW 1 Series, as a petrol model, does not qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
37.3kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 85kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 85kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Abarth 500e features a 10.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the BMW 1 Series gets a 10.7-inch display and 10.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Abarth 500e stands out with JBL audio that you will not find on the BMW 1 Series. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Abarth 500e gets synthetic leather upholstery while the BMW 1 Series offers sensatec synthetic leather.
Drivetrain
The Abarth 500e uses a Electric producing 113kW and 235Nm of torque, sent through a single-speed automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7 seconds.
The BMW 1 Series responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 230Nm, paired to a auto driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The BMW 1 Series has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 113kW. In the real-world sprint, the Abarth 500e is 1.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Abarth 500e measures 3,673mm long on a 2,322mm wheelbase, 688mm shorter than the BMW 1 Series at 4,361mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW 1 Series generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 185L in the Abarth 500e and 380L in the BMW 1 Series, giving the BMW 1 Series a 195L advantage. The BMW 1 Series seats 5 vs 4.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 10.8m
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 3 years / 150,000km (Abarth 500e) vs 5 years / 999,999km (BMW 1 Series). The BMW 1 Series has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Abarth 500e if: You or prefer Abarth's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW 1 Series if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW 1 Series takes 5 of 6 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. If boot space matters, the BMW 1 Series has a clear edge. The BMW 1 Series adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Abarth 500e and BMW 1 Series?
The BMW 1 Series is the cheapest at $57,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Abarth 500e by $2,900.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW 1 Series uses the least fuel at 6.4L/100km on the combined cycle.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — BMW 1 Series all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW 1 Series has the largest boot at 380L.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW 1 Series has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,300kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The BMW 1 Series has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 1 Series makes the most power at 115kW. The Abarth 500e is quickest to 100km/h in 7s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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