The Fiat 500c, one of Canada’s cutest and most charismatic convertibles also happens to be its most affordable. With a starting price of $22,995, it handily undercuts the equally adorable Volkswagen Beetle and Mini Cooper Convertible in the pricing department. It also undercuts another sub-$30k convertible: the Jeep Wrangler. There is no Smart ForTwo Cabrio this year, though its re-introduction might threaten the 500’s title for 2017.
The biggest change to the 500c is the addition of a brand new infotainment system. At 5.0-inch across, the touchscreen system is small but its layout is easy to use and includes standard voice control and Bluetooth audio integration. Buyers will also have an entirely new pallet of available colours including orange, grey, silver, light blue, and on the Abarth, pearl yellow. Depending on trim, new wheel designs are available. Sadly, the retro 1957 Edition now offered on the 500 hatchback is not offered on the 500c.
Nor, for that matter is the Turbo, nor the Sport. The 500c’s lineup is split between the base Pop, the deluxe Lounge, and the rabid Abarth. The Pop and Lounge use a naturally aspirated 1.4-litre MultiAir four-cylinder with 101 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque. It’s available with a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. The Abarth gets a turbocharged version of this very engine that develops 160 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque with the standard manual transmission, and 157 hp, 183 lb-ft with the optional six-speed automatic. Fiat estimates the 0-100 km/h time for the 500c Abarth to be in the low seven-second range, which is quite quick for something so small.
All 500c feature a power-operated cloth roof that retracts along the rooftop pillars at the touch of a button. The roof is available in three colours, and unlike many other vehicles in the segment, can be operated while the vehicle is in motion. Cabin space is comparable to the standard 500, but trunk space is smaller due to the roof system. As the folded roof stacks up above the rear window line blocking visibility, all trims receive standard rear parking sensors.
Pricing for the 500c Pop starts at $22,995. The range-topping Abarth sells for $31,995.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
