Overview Urban Utility Vehicle, or large five-door hatchback
Pros Funky styling, extra space
Cons Dreadful dual-clutch transmission
What would I change? Offer a decent automatic transmission
How would I spec it? Entry level Pop with a six-speed manual
The first product of the Chrysler and Fiat nuptials was the born-again 500, an adorable little runabout which has since sold more than one million vehicles globally since its 2007 launch.
Now, tearing a page from Mini’s playbook, it joins the oxymoronic “bigger version of a small car” segment by introducing the Fiat 500L. It’s a calculated move to hold onto those buyers who fell in love with the 500’s iconic styling, but who just couldn’t deal with its sardine-can dimensions.
Now if you think the “L” designation stands for “large” – you’re only partially right. The 500L is 660 mm longer and adds 152 mm in length and width to increase interior space. But according to Fiat-Chrysler, the “L” also refers to a host of alliterative nomenclatures:
- “Leveraging” – a marketing move to expand the brand’s desirability to a wider range of people.
- “Loft” – an airy interior environment that features contemporary Italian design, while providing a nearly 360-degree panoramic view through its unique glass.
- “Litres” – fuel efficiency combined with power, thanks to its 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
- “Lifestyle” – available in four different models to accomodate a variety of tastes.
- “Light” – improving the quality of life by adding “lightness” (and we thought that was Colin Chapman’s job at Lotus).
It wasn’t exactly a case of love at first sight. My first reaction to the 500L was word-for-word the same as to the Mini Countryman – which went along the lines of a resounding “Hmmmm …”
That said, the 500L is one of those quirky little cars that eventually grows on you. With its pushed-in, homely-cute mug, it has all the appeal of a squat little bulldog. Its contrasting white roof, chrome trim and snazzy 17-inch machined aluminum rims identify it as a range-topping Lounge model.
While it retains much of the endearing character of the Fiat 500, the 500L is an entirely different car based on the Euro-spec Fiat Punto. Its 42% larger dimensions address the 500’s biggest drawback; a lack of passenger space. Although its claims of carrying five passengers comfortably are a bit ambitious, the 500L is certainly roomy enough for four to travel in style, plus one more in a pinch.
Inside, the cabin is sure to delight those with a taste for kitsch. Like the base Cinquecento’s, the 500L’s interior is a playful study in circular accents and contrasting textures. The Lounge’s colour theme is a striking toffee with dark charcoal accents, and every feature and colour block is finished in a rounded-off lozenge shape – including the two-tone steering wheel. As for the leather-trimmed seats – they’re attractive, but the cushions are a bit on the firm side.
The centre stack is simply designed, and I particularly appreciate the use of three large control knobs instead of a swath of tiny buttons. There’s a 6.5-inch UConnect infotainment screen with Bluetooth, an optional $995 Beats by Dr. Dre 10-speaker sound system and a GPS navigation system, which is infinitely preferable to the awkward stalk-mounted placement in the standard 500.
A lofty roofline in the 500L provides an expansive greenhouse, and the result is a space that’s open and airy. There’s plenty of leg and headroom, and the rear seats recline and slide forwards or back, offering the choice of more leg room or cargo space. Pushed all the way back, there’s 343 litres of trunk space, which increases to 400 litres when they’re slid forward.
The trunk’s adjustable floor is cleverly designed to make maximum use of space, keeping fragile items separate from other cargo and creating a perfectly flat load floor when the 60/40 split rear seats are folded down. Tumble those back seats forward, and that increases to 1,310 litres of maximum cargo space. Such a practical use of space and expansive cargo volume put the 500L in the same league as the Honda Fit, which boasts 1,492 litres in overall capacity.
All 500Ls are powered by a 1.4-litre turbo-charged four-cylinder that puts out 160 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of torque. It’s the same mill that powers the frenetically jumpy Fiat 500 Abarth, but it’s perfectly suited to the heavier 500L. There’s a choice of either six-speed manual, or a six-speed Euro Twin Clutch, a $1,495 option.
While European dual-clutch transmissions are generally sharp-shifting and well-executed, this one is not. Slow to upshift and continuously hunting for gears, the transmission is the single biggest downfall of the 500L. I was so dismayed at its performance that I double-checked the operating manual to ensure that it wasn’t a CVT.
The 500L handles really well for a vehicle that’s on the tall side, if not as well as competitor Mini Countryman. Any road harshness is nicely damped thanks to the North American-spec model’s Koni shock absorbers. Steering is nicely balanced, but the wheel’s flat angle makes hand placement a tad awkward.
Official fuel numbers for the dual-clutch equipped 500L are 8.7 litres per 100 km city and 6.0 L highway. In a bitterly cold week of mixed driving I achieved an overall average of 10.4 L – which I suspect would improve dramatically in better weather.
A base “Pop” model 500L can be had for as little as $19,995, with the top-spec Lounge coming in at $24,995. In comparison, the Mini Countryman starts at $29,950 – but, to be fair, it is an all-wheel-drive equipped vehicle. Others in its segment may offer just as much practicality, but the Fiat 500L has the kind of style that’s rare at this price point.
The Specs
Type of Vehicle Front-wheel-drive, large five-door hatchback
Engine 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Power 160 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 184 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2,500 rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic
Brakes Four-wheel disc with ABS
Fuel Economy (L/100 km) 8.7 city, 6.0 highway
Price (base/as tested) $24,995/$28,685 Base Pop $19,995. Base Lounge $24,995. As tested: $28,685
Destination Charge $1,695
Standard Features Seven air bags, traction control, air conditioning, one-touch power windows, power door locks, heated power side mirrors, cruise control, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, trip computer, UConnect infotainment system with Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, voice-recognition technology, audio input jack and USB port, capless fuel-filler system, multi-shelf cargo divider and more
Options Six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission ($1,495), Beats By Dre audio system ($995)