Abarth 500e vs Honda Civic Type R
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Hatchbacks 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.
Data checked: specs 4 Sep 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$60,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$77,250est. RRP
- with the Abarth 500e's standard kit: $77,250 (nothing to add)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Abarth 500e starts from $60,500 before on-road costs, while the Honda Civic Type R opens at $77,250 (our estimated RRP; the brand lists drive-away prices only). Both land at the same RRP, so on-road costs and dealer deals become the real differentiator.
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 $84,975 respectively.
The Abarth 500e currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Honda Civic Type R does not: only battery-electric vehicles 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.
Recalls on our record
Abarth 500e
None open on our record
Honda Civic Type R
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
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 Honda Civic Type R gets a 9-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Abarth 500e stands out with JBL audio — features our data doesn't list for the Honda Civic Type R. The Honda Civic Type R counters with heated front seats, Bose audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Abarth 500e gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Honda Civic Type R offers suede/cloth sport. Climate control is 1-zone in the Abarth 500e and 2-zone in the Honda Civic Type R.
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 Honda Civic Type R responds with a DOHC VTEC Turbo In line 4-cylinder making 235kW and 420Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.
The Honda Civic Type R has the clear power advantage at 235kW vs 113kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Honda Civic Type R is 1.6s 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, 933mm shorter than the Honda Civic Type R at 4,606mm (2,735mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Honda Civic Type R generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 185L in the Abarth 500e and 410L in the Honda Civic Type R, giving the Honda Civic Type R a 225L advantage.
0Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
9.4m to 11.8m
Based on 9.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.8m 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 (Honda Civic Type R). The Honda Civic Type R 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 Honda Civic Type R if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Honda's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Honda Civic Type R: Top CarSorted Score, 66 vs 60, but the Abarth 500e is $16,750 cheaper
The Honda Civic Type R comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (66 vs 60), taking 4 of 4 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: performance (Honda Civic Type R ahead by 32), reliability (Honda Civic Type R ahead by 21), practicality (Honda Civic Type R ahead by 16). If boot space matters, the Honda Civic Type R has a clear edge. The Honda Civic Type R 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 Honda Civic Type R?
The Abarth 500e is the cheapest at $60,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Honda Civic Type R by $16,750.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Honda Civic Type R uses the least fuel at 8.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Abarth 500e and Honda Civic Type R carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which has the most boot space?
The Honda Civic Type R has the largest boot at 410L with the seats up (1,212L with the seats folded).
Which has the best warranty?
The Honda Civic Type R has the longest warranty at 5 years / No data.
Which is the most powerful?
The Honda Civic Type R makes the most power at 235kW. The Honda Civic Type R is quickest to 100km/h in 5.4s.
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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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