New Cars Reviews | Fiat 500L Living ( 2014 ) | Around the time of 2007 whenever the fiat 500 was launched, i'd been unrepentantly nuts in regards to the factor. From the very first few time my eyes clapped by the nuevo cinquecento along at the geneva motor show that year, i wished one. Since there have been no plans obtain a north yank model along at the time, i had to firmly settle for purchasing a 1/18th-scale diecast along at the expo. When fiat finally returned to firmly the us and also the cinquecento went on sale in 2011, i'd been no less excited.
And after that i drove one, and also the bloom was off my very little italian rose. Oh, i still appreciated its size and high vogue, however i found it wholly unsatisfying to firmly drive, one that wouldnt be rectified till the abarth arrived. It wasnt that the normal 500 was slow – i expected that – it was actually that its wonky driving position, lackluster transmissions and ropey steering all stood within the whole solution to appreciating its different virtues. The abarths characterful powertrain would eventually return along to firmly alleviate the majority of those pains, however not all the strategies.
Currently along with the advent as to the 500l for 2014, it seems im living the exact scenario, albeit in reverse. My initial encounter from this new, larger fiat was conjointly along at the geneva show, just this point, whenever the sheet was yanked off its flanks in 2012, i didnt like what i saw. The italian marque hadnt only name-checked the cinquecento from this larger five-door, it attempted to firmly appropriate its amusing and iconic style by repeating key styling components like its circular lightweight fixtures and easy chrome bar grille ( collectively known just like the whiskers and brand face ), together with rounded interior forms painted in body colours. To firmly my eyes, the planning only didnt work, however i'd been still intrigued in regards to the promise of a bigger 500 and additional polished driving expertise.
Theres a whole new trekking specification created for our market that very helps the visuals.
After all, styling is entirely subjective, and familiarity all over my behalf has bred increasing acceptance, particularly when having spent on a daily basis driving the larger baltimore space by the vehicles launch. In all honesty, im still not really a fan as to the 500ls appearance, however a few color combinations are additional flattering than others, and theres a whole new trekking specification created for our market that i believe very helps the visuals ( seen higher than in yellow paint ). Normally im not abundant for our faux off-roader treatments that manufacturers place on wagons to firmly boost their testosterone quotients and profit margins, however each once because we are part of a whereas, somebody gets it right. Fiat has here – the protruding matte black front fascia appearance simultaneously additional aggressive and higher integrated, flowing around to firmly the fender flares and down the running boards. The rear bumper cap gets an analogous treatment, and theres a blacked-out full-width panel that spans the rear reflectors and tailgate. A model-specific two-tone interior package appearance aces further.
Taken currently being a whole, the trekking seems slightly additional purposeful on 17-inch wheels, no matter if ground clearance remains unchanged. Interestingly, this softroader style has designed a that positive initial impression that fiat expects for it to get the 500ls volume trim in north america, and europeans liked it most that clamoring dealers have secured it to purchase online by the continent further. Unfortunately, no trekkings ( trekkies ? ) were out there to firmly take a look at, therefore the jackknife secret for this loaded lounge model with optional dual-clutch transmission was claimed instead.
This fiat feels positively large within thanks to firmly an abundance of tall windows.
Within, the 500l provides up abundant as to the whimsy of its smaller relation, however it pays the whole thing around the time of a hugely airy feeling. Despite a tidy 167. 3-inch overall length ( 27. 7 inches longer when compared to the 500 ), this fiat feels positively large within thanks to firmly an abundance of tall windows and also the availability of the twin-element panoramic moonroof, the latter of that makes the total factor feel as if youre camped out because we are part of a greenhouse. As a result of the additional pillar, theres an unusual cab-forward factor happening, in which the base as to the windshield stretches out somewhere before you. Its alittle such as the volkswagen new beetle, however it isnt off-putting of that sort environment was, partly as a result of the 500l doesnt have that cars cartoon-bubble roofline. Whats additional, fiat has fixed the cinquecentos awkward italianate driving position – its abundant easier to firmly notice a comfortable station in front as to the squircle-look steering wheel.
Even in our own cars rather sober grey and black interior ( fiat is to firmly be commended for giving a big sort of interior colours ), the 500l feels positively lightweight and cheerful, with quality materials and wise management arrangements all around, one that cant be aforementioned for key rivals such as the mini countryman. Rear seat area is no less generous, with ample leg- and shoulder area, though headroom is alittle tight for anyone higher than 5 foot, 9 inches whenever the $950 glass roof is ordered. The stadium-style rear seats slide fore and aft up to firmly 4. 7 inches and provide articulated backrests, then they will tumble forward to firmly maximize cargo area, though the ensuing load floor is faraway from flat. Along with the seats erect, cargo capability is rated at generous 21. 3 cubic feet. Overall, this loft concept interior has 98. 8 cu-ft – around the exact size currently being a chrysler three hundredunited nations monitors. The unarme. Speaking as to the pentastar, weve heaped laurels upon the companys uconnect system with navigation in times past, and its only as smart here. For our rest as to the year, fiat is giving the 6. 5-inch infotainment system with backup camera and sensors gratis for all models except the entry-level pop trim, a pleasant $1, 700 gift for early adopters.
Quite a trifle has modified within the models transition out to north yank sales.
European editor matt davis tested a euro-spec model around his italian home in april, other then quite a trifle has modified within the models transition out to north yank sales, together with upsized brakes ( 12. 0-inch vented fronts and 10. 4-inch solid rear ), all-season tires ( 225/45 17-inch goodyear eagle ls2 radials on our tester ), additional sound deadening and a few normal equipment differences. The most important distinction, but, will be the institution as to the 1. 4-liter multiair turbocharged four-cylinder engine too found within the 500 abarth and dodge dart. This 160-horsepower, 184-pound-feet-of-torque powertrain combination may be a north yank exclusive – europeans get a choice of less powerful petrol and diesel engines with as few as 85 horsepower. Ive found a whole lot out to love along with the multiair in abarth tune, other then are less enthused by its dart application, notably along with the dual-clutch transmission, thus i was just a trifle apprehensive concerning its presence within the 500l.
Despite having the very same output figures like the dart and full of similar turbo lag ( there very isnt abundant happening below the engines 2, 500-rpm torque peak ), power delivery somehow feels additional linear thanks out to smarter throttle and transmission tuning. Upshifts are quick when summoned along with the gearlevers manual gate, other then the dual-clutch can often hold gears longer than you would possibly like when left out to its own devices. With around 3, three hundredunited nations monitors. The unarme pounds out to tow around, the 1. 4 isnt the fireballer which it is within the 500 abarth, it also doesnt sound notably noteworthy, other then its not very meant out to – the 500l is designed as being a stylish kinschlepper, not really a cut-and-thrust hot hatch.
Fiats firm-yet-accommodating compromise looks such as a abundant smarter play for your own average buyer.
Interestingly, a typical six-speed automatic is promised shortly ( fiat execs declined out to cough up an availability date ), that makes us wonder who can bother out to opt for your own twin-clutch setup when it comes on-line – it isnt appreciably sportier it also doesnt have paddle shifters. For your own moment, the normal six-speed manual will be the one out to aspire to, it also offers the facet profit of eking out extra mile per gallon inside the epas town cycle ( 25 town and 33 highway vs. 24/33 ).
Whereas it carries the 500l designation, the fact is that it model doesnt share its platform along with the cinquecento. Its additional closely connected out to fiats comparatively straight-faced grande punto, thus its nearly stunning it doesnt carry the multipla or 600 nameplate. Not no more than will that mean the 500l edges coming from the aforementioned interior area, it too possesses a comparatively serene ride and smart all-around road manners. Suspension is basic other then effective – macpherson struts ahead of time and a straightforward twist beam out back, other then fiat has wisely splurged on a collection of koni frequency selective dampers that do a fine job of soaking up rutted pavement and keeping the 500ls tall form on a fair keel. Thats not out to say its all that athletic. The aforementioned countryman is miles ahead in terms of engagement and finesse ( notably the steering ), other then it doesnt have the minis deplorable run-flat hobbled ride quality, either. As long as few individuals obtain one of these vehicle with genuinely sporty intentions, the fiats firm-yet-accommodating compromise looks such as a abundant smarter play for your own average buyer. Besides, thats not out to say the 500l is drag out to drive – it possesses a sure verve out to it, with lightweight other then correct electrical power steering and wonderful outward visibility out to build confidence.
The 500ls pricing strikes me being a terribly honest shake for what amounts out to a shockingly spacious and amusingly offbeat machine.
At present, the 500l may be a front-wheel-drive-only affair, and even though execs admit that all-wheel drive is technically attainable in that platform, these downplayed its likelihood. Mini can so have this necessary cold-weather-state edge out to itself, other then different rivals during this diverse segment, together with the kia soul, nissan cube, scion xb and even the ford c-max all do while not. Fiat has already teased a 500x model with taller ground clearance and additional cinquecento-like appearance, thus possibly these will help the further drive axles for that as-yet unreleased model. Additionally, a long-wheelbase seven-seat variant as to the 500l, that goes from the name 500l living, has only been announced, other then north yank sales aren't nonetheless confirmed.
The serbian-built 500l carries a beginning value of $19, 100 for your own base pop trim, whereas the butched-up trekking asks $21, 995 ( all costs and $800 in destination fees ). A high-hat lounge model like this tester comes loaded with leather and also the dual-clutch transmission beginning at $24, 195, though optional niceties like keyless go and active safety tech like blind-spot warning are notable by their absence. Tick all that choice boxes connected to lounge and youll be sitting around $27, 500. Whereas the 500s msrp spread isnt as thrifty like the segments volume-leading kia, it starts concerning $3, 000 lower than the countryman and will be the superior everyday car out to settle for, affording bigger utility, a nicer interior but a significantly better ride. All-in, fiats pricing strikes me being a terribly honest shake for what amounts out to a shockingly spacious and amusingly offbeat machine. Overall, my 1st drive as to the 500l has resulted with in surprising inverse reaction towards the 500 that preceded it. It would possibly not are love-at-raccoon-eyed-sight want it was along with the cinquecento, other then the 500l isnt only larger and additional practical – in several ways, its the higher, additional enjoyable car.