Fiat 500 C (09 on) - Review

The Fiat 500C – or convertible - arrived a year after the hatch’s introduction, with the soft-top pitching in 2009. Since then, it’s been a staple of the 500 range and offers fresh air thrills with the ease of its retractable fabric roof. The simple roof design also ensures the Convertible drives every bit as well as the hatch model.

Practical convertible

Rather than completely lop off the roof of the 500 hatch, Fiat has designed the Convertible with a retracting fabric hood that is more like a giant sunroof. It folds all the way back to the base of the rear screen, though it obscures vision in the rear view mirror when folded to this extent. It can also be folded so the rear screen stays upright, so more like an elongated sunroof and it’s in this mode where the Convertible makes most sense The roof is quick and easy to operate and its design also means the 500’s small boot is preserved almost intact rather than forfeiting space to the hood.

Engine range

Fiat has not stinted buyers when it comes to engine choice for the 500 Convertible. There’s a choice of 0.9-, 1.2- and 1.4-litre petrol engines and each offers a very distinct experience. The entry-level 1.2 is easy going, while the 0.9 TwinAir has a distinctive engine note and loads of low-rev pull. The 1.4 turbo is reserved for the Abarth model and can be tuned further form the standard 135bhp to 160bhp. A 1.3-litre turbodiesel caters for those with maximum economy on their mind.

Ownership costs

All of the engines in the 500C line-up, other than the Abarth’s zinging 1.4 turbo, deliver very low emissions and high economy. The Abarth manages 43.5mpg and 155g/km CO2 output, but more buyers will be interested in the 1.2’s 58.9mpg and 113g/km, or 60.1mpg and 110g/km if you choose the Duologic automated manual gearbox option. The TwinAir goes further still with 95g/km emissions and 68.9mpg as a manual or 92g/km and 70.6mpg with the Duologic ’box. Best economy goes to the MultiJet diesel with 72.4mpg, but emissions of 104g/km trail the TwinAir’s. The desirability of this car has kept used values high, so it’s a good bet for those looking to hang on to their cash.

So if you’re considering splashing out on a retro drop-top, read our Fiat 500C review to find everything you need to know.