In some cases, Bigger is Better.
The Fiat 500's bigger brother is better in almost every way.
The Fiat 500 is a very small 2+2 seat 2 door car from Italy that is now available in North America. People loved the look but for many it was just too small. Fiat heard the people's pleas and in just a few short years they introduced the much larger Fiat 500L. Calling it a large car is a bit of a misnomer as its dimensions are still fairly small. It still has all the great looks and keeps some of the smaller car's personality and driving spirit.
Let's take a look:
Different Styles:
The Fiat 500L only comes as a 5-door tall hatchback. The only engine available is a 1.4L, 4 cylinder turbo. Either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed "Twin Clutch" auto transmission are available. It comes with 5 seats. Each trim level offers different features but otherwise they are all the same mechanically. It does request premium fuel at all trim levels.
Styling and Comfort Impressions:
In almost every way the Fiat 500L is the exact same as the normal 500. It's just taller, longer, and a bit wider. But as looks go it still looks just as cool as its smaller brother with lots of ovals and rounded squares outside and inside. The 500L looks more like an SUV than a normal hatchback due to its tall design but the overall dimensions keep it still in the Compact Car class. The outside has good proportions. The wheels aren't too large, the windows are nice and big and the chrome accents are just enough to keep the otherwise large body panels interesting. It also has considerable ground clearance (even though the official numbers don't show it).
Going inside, the size difference is greatly felt compared to the regular 500. The seats are very upright like an SUV and due to the high roof line, you now have tonnes of headroom. The legroom is great due to the increased length as well. In the driver's seat you have great visibility in all directions. Even the rear head restraints don't restrict view too much. The interior colour schemes are just as funky as the outside and the front dash is well put together and looks cool.
Take a look:
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The seats are nice and comfortable with a firm padding that would be good for long trips. The rear seats are especially cool because if you need extra cargo room they fold down and tumble forward. The sound system is very good; clear and loud. Overall it has a very large and roomy feel to it. The rear seats had plenty of head and legroom due to the relatively flat roof line and the upright seats. It is obviously quite a bit easier to get into the back seats now that they have their doors as well. The trunk is also very large and square so you can fit a lot of stuff behind the rear seats.
Driving Impressions:
The 500L does drive quite differently than the regular 500. Firstly, it is much smoother feeling due to the longer wheelbase. However, they could have made the suspension a bit more sporty to compensate for the larger, heavier car as it is quite bouncy when going over uneven surfaces. The less supportive seats compared to the smaller 2-door don't help the situation either. But the ride is not really that bad; it turns quickly and tightly. Due to the very flat front and back, parking is pretty easy especially with the great visibility. Under hard acceleration the engine can be a bit loud and buzzy. It also has a bit of turbo lag if you punch the pedal hard. When driving on the optional larger 17-inch wheels, some road noise is heard on rougher surfaces and at highway speeds. Due to its more boxy design there can also be a bit of wind noise at higher speeds as well. However, none of these little faults makes this car a bad vehicle to be in when driving. The drive is actually pretty nice and sporty compared to other larger compact cars that would be competing against it.
Overall:
This is a fun car. The Fiat 500 was an entertaining car to drive but it just doesn't make sense for many people, especially if you need to drive more than 1 person around with you. The 500L, on the other hand, makes a tone of sense. It still looks good on the outside and the inside. It still keeps a spirited driving experience and may be a great alternative for people looking at crossovers. The Fiat 500L is definitely a good option for people downsizing from an SUV but are not comfortable yet with getting a "small" car. It would also be a great addition to any growing family that may only have a very small car like the 500 or a Mini Cooper but do not want an SUV or mini-van. This is a fun car to look at, be in and drive and it will work well in most households.
Facts/ Figures:
Price (for mid trim level): was about $23,000+
FWD
Max HP: 160
Max Torque lb/ft: 184
MPG (approx*): 24 city. 33 highway.
Cargo room (approx*): 23 / 68 CuFt
Length: 167"
Width: 70"
Tank Size (gal): 13.2
Miles on one tank (using combined MPG figures): 382
Average used price with 60,000KM or less: $19,000+
* when I say "approx" I usually am using the numbers given by the actual manufacturer or Consumer Reports, minus 1 to be a bit more realistic.
**No pictures featured are my own, they have been taken either from Google images or the manufacturer's website and their rightful owners should get any credit for them. This review featured all pictures from the manufacturer's websites ( some through Edmunds.com).Links:
Fiat Canada
Enjoy!
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J.K.
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