Why Lease The 500 Electric Convertible?
by: Alex BradleyAlex Bradley is a skilled writer and digital content specialist focusing on automotive and sports. He has a degree in Multimedia Journalism and previously worked for The Northern Quota as Head Sports Editor.
Fiat 500 Electric Convertible Review 2023
The Fiat 500 Electric Convertible is Fiat's answer for those who want to cruise around the city with the wind in their hair. Providing a nice balance between competitive electric performance and practicality, the 500 Electric Convertible is one of the standout convertible electric city cars.
Rivals to the Fiat 500 Electric Convertible include the Smart Fortwo Cabrio, Mini Electric, Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet, and Honda e.
Fiat 500 Electric Convertible Pros:
- Nippy performance
- Eye-catching design
- Excellent range
Fiat 500 Electric Convertible Cons:
- Boot space is tiny
- Limited rear visibility when the roof is down
- Space in the rear isn't great
Our Fiat 500 Electric Convertible review covers:
Fiat 500 Electric Convertible Key Features:
- Stylish exterior with a convertible roof
- Well-designed interior and good technology
- 185-litre boot
- One engine available with a 42kWh battery
- Three trim levels: Standard, Red, and La Prima by Bocelli
Design, Practicality and Boot Space
Like all Fiat 500's, the 500 Electric Convertible is characteristically stylish. The exterior blends retro design with modern features, such as LED lights, a minimalist front end, and a retractable roof at the push of a button.
The 500 Electric Convertible is slightly bigger than the standard 500 Hatchback, but interior space is still tight. Two adults will be fine in the front, but head and leg room is limited in the rear, suiting children more than adults. If your rear passenger needs more headroom, you can put the roof down, but it massively reduces your rear visibility.
Storage space is very good. There's a long cubby between the front seats, standard door pockets, and a large tray in the dashboard, perfect for holding your phone or wallet.
Boot space comes in at 185 litres, which can be extended to 550 litres with the rear seats split and folded 50/50. There's no denying this is pretty small, and it's less than rivals such as the Mini Electric and even the Smart Fortwo Cabrio.
Interior and Trims
Like the exterior, the interior of the 500 Electric Convertible has been designed well and looks cosmopolitan. However, there are quite a few hard plastics dotted about and build quality could do with some improvement. If you want a more premium interior, look towards the Mini Electric.
For technology, Fiat has gone for a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the dash and a seven-inch digital instrument display behind the steering wheel. The infotainment system is responsive and comes with smartphone connectivity as standard, while the digital instrument display is easy to see and has been excellently designed into the dashboard.
Three trims are available for the 500 Electric Convertible: Standard, Red, and La Prima by Bocelli.
The entry-level Standard comes with 16-inch wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, a Technoleather steering wheel with audio controls, and electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.
Red adds to this with a unique red interior and exterior styling.
The range-topping La Prima by Bocelli comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a Harman/JBL premium audio system, a wireless phone charger, complete LED lights, Eco leather upholstery with Fiat monogram, and voice recognition technology.
Power and Performance
One engine is available for the Fiat 500 Electric Convertible. It has a 42kWh battery, an automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. In terms of performance, it returns a power output of 118bhp, 0-60mph in nine seconds, and a top speed of 93mph.
The standout stat for the 500 Electric Convertible is its range, which is a combined 199 miles. This is more than you'll get in a Honda e or Mini Electric. It also has fast charging capabilities of up to 85kW, reaching up to 80% of charge in 35 minutes.
Fiat has added a one-pedal driving experience for the 500 Electric Convertible using the right-hand pedal. Anytime the driver lifts their foot off the accelerator, the car slows down, and the kinetic energy is used to regenerate battery power. Although it takes some time to get used to, it works really well.
As expected for a car of the 500 Electric Convertible's size, the steering is light and accurate. The turning circle is very tight and great for nipping in and out of busy city roads. At higher speeds, it also doesn't lean much and has plenty of grip on the road.
You also won't be surprised to learn that the suspension is a bit bumpy around town, so try and avoid potholes and bumps in the road if you can. As you up the speed on a motorway or country road, the ride does become a big bouncy, but it settles down once you've reached a cruise. If you also fancy putting the roof down at speed, Fiat has added a handy air blocker which prevents your hair from blowing all over.
Leasing vs Buying
Prices for the new Fiat 500 Electric Convertible start from £33,364.00 OTR* or to lease from £395.54 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of a new Fiat 500 Electric Convertible? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts offer a range of affordable leasing deals to suit your every need.
Car leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase thanks to a low initial deposit, fixed monthly rentals, and a range of benefits included in your deal, such as road tax and breakdown cover.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change, always check with your nearest retailer.