Fun-filled Fiat has great little engine
Practical five-door wagon has its foibles, but it’s more than memorabilia on wheels
It’s definitely Euro-chic, and it has a great little engine. The Fiat 500L is an Italian-inspired Serbian-manufactured compact five-door people mover that’s making waves in North America, delightfully finding its way through urban traffic to the nearest kid-friendly espresso bar. At least that’s how I see it.
In addition to its inherent efficiency and practicality, there’s no doubt this five-seat wagon is intended to bring a little joy to driving, and why not? It’s based on one of the most fun-filled cars of this decade, the retro-inspired Fiat 500, a modern interpretation of the Fiat Cinquecento introduced in Italy in 1957. But a car must be more than driveable memorabilia to succeed in today’s intensely competitive market.
I was somewhat surprised by the Fiat’s punchy throttle response and its ability to pull throughout its generous rev band. This forceful first impression is that of a 1.4-litre MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder gas engine capable of advancing 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the Fiat’s 17-inch machined aluminum wheels.
Sitting between the front rubber and the engine is a six-speed manual gearbox, or an optional six-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. My tester was equipped with the latter six cogs, which is a $1,450 option. If I were purchasing this car, I’d skip the payment and happily shift my own gears.
The 500L is available in four distinct trim levels, starting with the $19,995 Pop through to the $25,995 Lounge.
Holding middle ground are the $22,995 Sport and the $23,995 Trekking versions. In each case, the same MultiAir Fiat engine performs the pulling, with fuel economy rated at 8.7 L/100 km city and 6.0L/100 km highway with the auto transmission.
The printed ratings seem a little too optimistic, given my in-town consumption of 10.3L/100 km.
My top-flight 500L Lounge spoiled me with leather-faced heated front seats and its optional bass-heavy premium Beats Audio by Dr. Dre.
However, there’s quirkiness in the entity that is the Fiat 500L, the dual A-pillars being the most obvious example of its idiosyncratic design. Whimsically, the anomalies make the act of driving the 500L akin to learning a new language.
Yet once fluent with its quirks — such as a left armrest so far from the driver to be near useless, and a number of oddly-placed switches — the 500L becomes delightful to drive, though in a manner that embraces its foibles rather than resists them.
Despite its compressed breadbox design, the 500L is remarkably spacious inside. While occupants enjoy upright seating positions and unobstructed views through expansive sheets of glass, bulky items can be carried in the cargohold or on a removable shelf behind the rear seat.
The Fiat 500L exudes character while delivering a smooth, relatively quiet ride underscored by an overachieving engine.