The most important thing to grasp about the Fiat 500L is that it is not a Fiat 500. It’s based on the larger Bravo platform, and right now it would be less confusing if they’d called it a 600 — another brand name from the 1960s. But Fiat wants to create a family of 500s, following the lead of the MINI. And if the supersized Countryman can still be a MINI, Fiat’s new minivan can be a 500, and it will be followed shortly by the 500X SUV.
So this is a small minivan for people who wish they could still have a 500. Frequently they will be young couples just mixing cool furniture and white walls with primary-colored plastics and a food-splatter effect. Obvious rivals are the MINI Countryman, Ford B-MAX, or perhaps a Scion xD or Nissan Juke. The price is likely to be around $22,000, on a level with the Countryman.
The L stands for Large, and despite its diminutive proportions (167 by 70 in.), the 500L offers plenty of space for five. The split rear seats tumble with a yank of the handle (they need two hands to put them back up), and the trunk floor can be slotted in at different heights to protect some items from piles of shopping dumped on top.
Trim levels range from the colorful, fun (and cheaper) Pop and Easy to the more luxurious Lounge and “rugged” Trekking. The interior feels impressively solid, and the materials are high-quality.
Fiat has gone to town on options and accessories to allow people to personalize the car. There’s a huge optional (and expensive) sunroof, and Fiat announced with glee that this was the only production car in the world offering an accessory espresso machine.
Actually, the accessory we would have liked to see is a set of washable rear seat covers in the same style as the rest of the car. There’s nothing that destroys resale value like seats stained with biscuit concrete and infant spit-up in the stitching. You can order a black, hose-down thing that looks like a burka for seats, but that ruins the glamour.
The 1.4-liter MultiAir Turbo engine with 160 hp is equipped with two six-speed transmissions. It pulls well, but the L’s strength lies more in a smooth, comfortable ride that won’t make the kiddies queasy than in its entertainment for the driver. Bumps are felt, but bodyroll is well controlled.
It’s not as much fun as the Countryman, but it’s more enjoyable than a lot of small crossovers.
So, if you need an MPV and want a bit of chic in your life, this could be the car for you.— Liz Turner
THE GOODS
On sale summer 2013
Price $22,000 (est.)
Mpg: 35 mpg combined (est.)
What we liked: Funky style, high quality interior, space
What we didn’t like: Not as much fun to drive as it looks