Britain is one of the last countries in Europe to get the new Fiat 500L MPV, but we were among the first to try it with the flagship 1.6-litre diesel.
While this model carries a hefty premium over the TwinAir version we tried last month, Fiat reckons it should be a strong seller. With 320Nm of torque, it’s certainly ideally suited to lugging around the whole family – as well as their luggage.
At motorway speeds it’s also more refined than its petrol counterpart, and this relaxed power delivery suits the 500L’s soft and comfortable character. In corners it rolls around on its springs, although few 500Ls are likely to be driven hard.
The dumpy exterior styling could prove a little divisive, but once you’re inside, details such as the vast 1.5-metre glass roof and grey suede dash look very smart, while the UConnect touchscreen Bluetooth radio is clear and intuitive on the move.
Built in a new Serbian factory, the car has a high-quality feel – easily a match for rivals like the Citroen C3 Picasso – and the interior has plenty of cubbies and holders to stash loose items.
The rear seats slide and fold independently, but can also be rolled forward to create a big load bay. Plus, the front passenger seat folds flat if you need to use the 500L for a flat-pack furniture run.
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A world without FIAT would be as dull as Seat.
Like the review AE, even the biggest FIAT fan was fearing the worst with this weird mutant, I really hope they can pull it off.
And if rumors are true it looks far nicer in the metal.
A world without Fiat would surely be a dull place. Just as it already feels a bit dull without Saab.
Fiat 500L won't be my choice but I do look forward to the 500X and wish Fiat good luck all the same.
Went to the auto show in Geneva. One of the clear surprises was the 500L. Just like the 500 you can't help but smile when sitting in it. With loads of practicality and style I hope it proves to be a hit for Fiat, it deserves to be.
Not everyone's cup of tea, but a bit of fun :)
I hated this thing when I saw the pictures, but after seeing it in the flesh, it has a certain charm about it,
The earlier Saabs were great to be sure, but by the early 1990s they had pretty much lost the plot. Perhaps a decent small premium car based on the Astra platform might have saved them, but unfortunately the later cars were just not able to compete with the likes of BMW and Audi.
Yet more all - sweeping 'anti' comments from this miserable poster.