Fiat 500c Review

Performance3/5

The 1.2 69 bhp is the entry level model and its not going to scare other drivers if you are racing away from the lights - which we obviously discourage - but it has enough zip to keep you happy when driving around town and has enough power to keep you out of mischief on the motorway. The other petrol option is Fiat's much lauded TwinAir engine. It's only 0.9 litre but produces 85 bhp and can get to 62 mph in 11.0 seconds which is 2.4 seconds quicker than the 1.2 and of course offers excellent economy. There is also a diesel on offer, a 1.3-litre which does a top notch 67 mpg and has the more punch than either of the petrol engines, but for the extra cost we're not sure it's worth it and we're not sure if a diesel sits right in this light little convertible.

Handling4/5

The steering is so light it makes manoeuvring around town a total breeze, and there is even a city mode to make it even lighter, especially at slow speeds. Critics may say it's too light to give the driver any feel, but that's missing the point, it's a city car that's good to drive in the city. The 500C is built with the same solidity as the original 500 which means it doesn't suffer from any of the shaky symptoms that plague some other convertibles. On less smooth road surfaces you will feel the ride getting a bit jiggley but again in the city you'll be fine.

Exterior5/5

It is of course true of all cars, but with the 500C especially, discussing the looks essentially comes down to a matter of taste. If you like retro styling and city chic you are going to love the 500C. We happen to sit on the love it side of the fence, and are also impressed by how well they've fitted in the convertible roof, it's more like a giant sunroof, and where as most convertibles will look slightly cumbersome with either the roof up or the roof down the 500C manages to make both looks work for it.

Interior4/5

The stylish design is continued in the cockpit with a classically cool Fiat badge on the steering wheel, and a colour coded dash just adding to the retro chic. With the roof up the boot is a workable 182 litres which is only a litre smaller than the hatch, but with the roof down you lose a lot of that space. The rear seats are comfortable enough for short journeys but we wouldn't advise keeping adults cooped up in there for long periods of time. The 500C is rather disappointing when it comes to visibility though, with rear visibility particularly poor.

Equipment4/5

Fiat have kept things nice and simple when it comes to trim specs with just two, the Pop and the Lounge, to choose from. The Pop has plenty to offer: air conditioning, a CD player, power steering, front electric windows and remote central locking. The Lounge adds some nice styling touches, such as alloy wheels, and leather and chrome trim as well as some more practical things like Bluetooth, USB connectivity and dual zone climate control.

Safety4/5

The 500C hasn't been Euro NCAP tested but the 500 was and it scored a maximum 5 star rating. The 500C shares an almost identical design so should be equally as safe. Safety features you can expect to find include 7 airbags, ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Isofix child seat anchor points in the back.

Buying & Owning4/5

Built in the same factory as the Ford Ka there seem to be no problems arising so far with the 500C, and the 500 released in 2008 has had no notable trouble. Economy is excellent with the least frugal engine in the range the 1.2 still managing to cover 58.9 mpg. This reduced cost at the pumps coupled with the fact that the 500C is comparatively cheap to insure should compensate for the Fiat's sizable asking price. Selling on your 500C shouldn't prove too traumatic either with prices holding out remarkably well

Reviewed by cars2buy