Mitsubishi Colt Cabriolet

Our verdict

The Mitsubishi Colt CZC makes a fine fist of the folding hard top conceit. It may just be the most emasculating car on sale today, but it does what it says on the tin (top).

Comfort

The CZC is markedly more cramped inside than a normal Colt and the ride is a little less supple. But for a no-frills coupe/cabriolet refinement is reasonable with the roof up.

Performance

As you expect, the option of a turbo provides greater grunt, but the extra cost is astronomical in relation to just how much more performance you really get. And it's still no great shakes.

Cool

Without being even remotely dismissive, this is a girl's car through and through. So although it might be cool for a certain type of lady, or gentleman, it's not exactly top of our shopping list.

Quality

Mitsubishi is knocking its cars together with increasing aplomb these days and the Colt CZC should present no problems. A bit of rattling when the roof is down is to be expected.

Handling

There is some scuttle shake in evidence as a result of hacking the roof off the otherwise very stiff and agile Colt, but it's not going to ruin the driving experience. Top down, wind in face, it still feels involving enough.

Practicality

There is almost no room behind the front seats in the CZC, and the boot is similarly scuppered when all the gubbins required to retract the roof is factored in. Practical it ain't.

Running costs

The 1-5-litre engine in the CZC is reasonably economical, even in turbo form, but insuring the faster models is oddly expensive for something so inherently unsporty.