2018 Fiat 124 Spider

Pros: Fun to drive; unique retro styling; affordable base model

Cons: Limited cargo room; tight cockpit for large occupants, especially with the top up

CG Says: The 2018 Fiat 124 Spider is essentially unchanged. A new Red Top Edition will be available on Lusso trim. Fiat introduced this sporty two-seat roadster last year that revived a name from the brand’s distant past. The 124 Spider shares its basic platform with Mazda’s MX-5 Miata (which was redesigned for 2016), but wears unique bodywork with styling cues inspired by the first Fiat 124 Spider introduced over 50 years ago. In place of the MX-5 Miata’s 155-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, the 124 Spider uses a Fiat-built turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder with 160 horsepower (164 hp in Abarth); it can be paired with a 6-speed manual- or 6-speed automatic transmission. An Abarth model adds performance suspension and a limited-slip differential. Available interior features include navigation, heated seats, Bose sound system with headrest speakers, and keyless entry/access. Available safety features include blind-spot alert, cross-traffic alert, and rearview camera. Not everyone agrees that the new 124 Spider’s retro design cues translate well to the long-hood/short-deck proportions of the Miata chassis. However, if you like the styling, the 124 delivers distinctive Italian flair and a bit more horsepower to one of the best pure sports-car platforms on the market—all at prices that are competitive with the Miata or any other sporty-performance roadster.