CAP hpi is putting the spotlight on the top 5 best convertibles for fuel economy and fresh air motoring. And as that’s usually reflected in CO2 emissions it’s a useful pointer to low benefit-in-kind company car tax rates too.
The Fiat 500C Diesel Convertible offers the lowest fuel costs across a vehicle’s first three years, from new, based on 10,000 miles a year.
The Fiat 500C’s fuel costs amount to £1,723.25, which is less than £50 per month, making it the most fuel efficient make and model convertible on the market.
The DS 3 Diesel Cabrio and MINI Convertible Diesel come in second and third, respectively.
Anyone looking for something a little more substantial than a supermini, the lower medium Audi A3 Diesel Cabriolet boasts fuel costs of just under £2000 for the first three years.
And the Mercedes-Benz SLK Diesel Roadster offers a sportier option at just over £2000 for three years’ motoring at 10,000 miles a year.
When it comes to the evaluating the top 5 best convertibles based on total cost of ownership for the first 3 years from new, it’s the Smart ForTwo Cabrio that comes in lowest.
That’s with a total cost of ownership starting from £11,059.64.
Confirming them as a good all round buy for those looking to save costs and reduce their environmental impact, the Fiat 500 petrol and Mini Convertible come in second and third places on the total cost of ownership convertible league table.
The DS 3 Diesel Cabrio also features in the top five, coming in just behind the Abarth 595C Convertible at fourth place with a total cost of ownership of £13246.50.
Philip Nothard, cap hpi consumer and retail editor, comments: “Our analysis shows that cabriolet versions of the city cars and superminis, such as the Fiat 500 and Mini convertible offering the best fuel efficiency. By checking our top five, motorists can enjoy guilt-free summer driving, with the top down.”
Fuel costs over the first 3 years from new calculated at 10k miles per year – Make and Model
| Manufacturer | Model | Description | Fuel Costs |
| FIAT | 500C DIESEL CONVERTIBLE | 1.3 Multijet Pop Star 2dr | 1723.25 |
| DS | DS 3 DIESEL CABRIO | 1.6 BlueHDi Chic 2dr | 1774.50 |
| MINI | CONVERTIBLE DIESEL | 1.5 Cooper D 2dr | 1927.35 |
| AUDI | A3 DIESEL CABRIOLET | 1.6 TDI SE 2dr | 1977.93 |
| MERCEDES-BENZ | SLK DIESEL ROADSTER | SLK 250d 2dr Tip Auto | 2028.36 |
Top 5 best convertibles for 3 years total cost of ownership
| Manufacturer | Model | Description | TCO Result | ||
| SMART | FORTWO CABRIO | 1.0 Passion 2dr | 11059.64 | ||
| FIAT | 500C CONVERTIBLE | 1.2 Pop 2dr | 11502.73 | ||
| MINI | CONVERTIBLE | 1.5 Cooper 2dr | 12376.15 | ||
| ABARTH | 595C CONVERTIBLE | 1.4 T-Jet 140 2dr | 12958.39 | ||
| DS | DS 3 DIESEL CABRIO | 1.6 BlueHDi Chic 2dr | 13246.50 | ||
