Ran a 500 Abarth Esses for a while (uprated boost, brakes and lowered suspension)
1.4 is nice, great midrange, you'll get 35 to 40 around town, 50ish cruising and low 20s when you really hammer it. Felt it a bit breathless at 6000+
Brakes are strong, really puts it on its nose. Rears snatched a few times in really wet / icy conditions but the abs recovered.
Handling wise, the 500 Abarth Esses is actually pretty composed, no float over crests and it will tighten its line if you lift off mid corner, not as much as say a 205 GTI but entertaining nonetheless. Dunno, what Americans will think of ride quality, I thought it par for course.
Front seats are very comfortable, long journeys are not an issue for driver or front passenger, rear... try to make them smaller friends.
Luggage space, its small but will take a couple of overhead luggage bags no problem.
Steering wheel is nice size, gear level falls to hand nicely, pedals have enough room around them.
On a tight Irish or UK road, I would have no problem keeping up with a Mini Cooper, the Toyota would not know which way it went. Clio RenaultSport? would take both Mini and 500 and send them both home to their mammy's crying.