Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 83%

The impossibly cute Fiat 500 has been a smash hit for the Italian car maker, with buyers loving its retro charm, low running costs and impressive city car credentials.

And just like the original, Fiat has peeled back the roof and built a cabriolet – the 500C.

Stuart Milne took to the roads to see if its style, substance or a bit of both.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks
 
Unlike some drop-tops which look ungainly with the roof up, the Fiat 500C still looks the business. And that’s because it’s not a cabriolet in the same way as the Peugeot 207CC or even the Daihatsu Copen. With them, you roll down the windows and roof and there’s nothing but sky. The Fiat’s roof is more like a massive sunroof that also encompasses the rear window, which means with the roof up it looks every bit as good as the standard hatchback. It’s not quite as pretty roof down, with the roof folded atop the parcel shelf.

10/10

2. Looks inside
 
With the roof down, the last thing you need is an ugly interior, but fortunately the 500C’s cabin is every bit as nice as the exterior. The retro Fiat badge on the steering wheel beams back at the driver, while the instrument cluster features a rev counter around the outside, with a speedo inside it and the trip computer in the centre. On the move it's as though the speedo needle is chasing the rev counter. The main dash facia is colour coded and stretches from door to door, interrupted only by some retro buttons.

9/10

3. Practicality

The Fiat 500C is a car of two halves when it comes to practicality. Roof up, it’s as easy to live with as the hatchback version, meaning a 182-litre boot (fractionally smaller than the hatchback) and loads of space up front. Rear space is limited for heads and legs, so think of it more as a 2+2 rather than a full four-seater. Fold the roof down however, and it’s a little more compromised. Rear visibility is dramatically reduced, and travelling at more than 40mph - with the roof folded to the last of its three positions - there’s an oscillating as the air bounces around the cabin. A wind deflector would help with the wind buffeting at speed too.

7/10

4. Ride and Handling
 
Where the 500C’s ‘huge sunroof’ philosophy pays dividends is with its ride and handling. There’s far less chassis flex on bumpy roads than many of its rivals, but the ride can feel a little choppy. Enthusiasts will bemoan the lightness of the steering, but it’s perfect for driving around town. It’s very light, making tight manoeuvres easy, and there’s a City mode that makes the steering featherlight at low speeds.

8/10

5. Performance
 
Three engines are available: two petrols and a diesel. We tested the 1.2 and for the most part, it’s difficult to see why you’d need anything else. It’s quiet around town and happy to mix it in the fast lane on occasions. The 69bhp engine will power the Fiat to 62mph in 12.9 seconds before reaching 99mph. The larger 100bhp 1.4 petrol will cover the same marker in 10.5 seconds before topping out at 113mph making it more suited to high-speed journeys. Those seeking diesel frugality will be interested in the 75bhp 1.3 which sits comfortably between the petrols for performance.

7/10

6. Running Costs
 
Expect the same strong used values that the standard 500 returns for the convertible, although it does cost a little more to buy new. The 1.2-litre petrol covers 55mph, while emitting 119g/km of CO2, while the 1.4 petrol covers 44mpg and emits 140g/km. Unless you’re covering lots of motorway miles, you’re better off by far with the 1.2. Frugal motorists will want to seek out the 1.3 diesel which covers an impressive 67.3mpg and emits just 110g/km of CO2. Insurance groups are low, starting at group 4 and servicing is every two years/18,000 miles.

8/10

7. Reliability
 
Forget Fiats from the past – the latest crop of cars seem to be built as well as anything else on the market. The 500 is built in the same Polish factory as the Ford Ka.

8/10

8. Safety

Although the 500C hasn’t been specifically tested by EuroNCAP, the hatchback has, and achieved a full five star rating. Standard kit includes ABS with EBD and driver, passenger, driver’s knee, side and curtain airbags. Higher spec models add hill hold and ESP.

9/10

9. Equipment
 
There are two models in the 500C line-up: Pop and Lounge. The Pop features remote central locking, air-con and electric windows and mirrors but you’ll need to fork out extra for alloy wheels. The Lounge adds Bluetooth and USB connectivity, dual zone climate control, chrome trims, fog lights, alloy wheels and leather bits in the cabin.

8/10

10. X-Factor

The coolest car on the block just got even more appeal. For chic city types, there’s no better way to get the wind in your hair.

9/10