Used test – chic convertibles: Citroen DS3 Cabrio vs Fiat 500C
Convertibles and catwalks don’t always go hand-in-hand, but these two used cabrios, with their city-friendly dimensions, are as fashionable as they come...
What are they like inside?
As funky-looking as you want, thanks to the broad range of colour schemes available, although the Citroen DS3 Cabrio is once again the more grown-up offering.
The colour touchscreen fitted to our test car was a £1200 option, so it’s probably pretty rare, but if you can find it, it’s worth having because it lifts the dashboard and also brings sat-nav, automatic lights and wipers, and a central armrest.
Without it you get a monochrome display, but the smart switchgear and dashboard materials still give the DS3 a classier feel than the nicely styled but plasticky Fiat 500C.
The DS3 was also slightly better equipped, getting climate control and 17-inch alloys as standard, compared with the 500C’s basic air-con and 16-inch alloy wheels. However, choose one of the versions tested here, and either car will come with Bluetooth, a USB input, rear parking sensors and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.
The DS3 trumps the 500C for comfort, thanks to its wider interior, better forward visibility and more supportive seats. It also offers more rear leg room, whereas the Fiat has better rear head room, but the back seats of both cars are really for occasional use only if you’re transporting adults.
Don’t be fooled by the official boot capacity figures; the DS3 might have 60 litres more than the 500C, but its awkwardly shaped load bay makes it just as limiting in real-world use. In fact it’s the 500C that has the broader opening.
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If you fancy soaking up the rays this summer you'll be wanting a used convertible. Here's a list of our top 10 favourites
