Category: Convertibles 
Price Range: £11,700 to £14,500
Ultra-chic, easy-to-use roof, remarkably civilised drive.
Poor rear visibility, reflected light blinds instruments, 1.2-litre engine sometimes struggles.
Refined, easy to use, well made and great to look at: it's worth the hefty price hike.
Up to now, the driving experience has been one of the weaker elements of the Fiat 500. Crudely weighted electric power steering, a bouncy ride - especially in Sport trim - and unexceptional handling have spoiled an otherwise appealing car that isn't as good to drive as it looks.
But with this new 500C, there's a surprise: the steering assistance is vastly improved and the ride decidedly less turbulent, with the result that the car feels more confident in bends. Fiat claims no alterations to the car's specification beyond the fitment of a rear anti-roll bar, which is soon to be standard on all 500s, but there can be no question that the company has refined the car's steering and suspension since it was launched.
The 500C comes with a choice of three engines. The base 1.2 petrol puts out 69bhp and sometimes struggles if you aren't diligent with the (decent) gearchange. But revving it hard pays dividends: it pulls with pleasing pep past 4,000rpm and has enough zest to convince on motorways, especially as this car is impressively refined. The 74bhp petrol also needs a bit of revving to get the best of it, but it's a more convincing choice if you need a 500C for longer trips.
The 75bhp 1.3 Multijet diesel isn't as brisk and is noisier under acceleration, but it's a solid motorway cruiser.
