By Tony C. Lesesne
@TonyCLesesne
Several Fiats share the 500 name. The Fiat 500L is unique in that it is a wagon; more spacious and practical. Some love it, some don't, and others are out of the loop about this eclectic Italian automobile.
Overview of the Fiat 500L
This is the eclectic 500 L, from the iconic Italian brand known as Fiat. But what does it brings to the American automotive landscape? I test drove it to help you can decide if you want to buy it.
PERFORMANCE
From a performance standpoint we're talking about a 1.4 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder producing about 160 horsepower and 185 lb ft of torque. The turbo definitely delivers the acceleration and pep that gets you onto and off the highway, on ramps and getting around hazzards with confidence.The front-wheel drive six-speed automatic transmission has a positive impact on the drive performance as well. The esrtimated gas mileage is around 25 mpg; 22 in the city and 30 in the highway. I found the 500L to be a utilitarian, practical vehicle to drive. The handling AND drive quality was much better than expected, well balanced, comfortable on the highway.
STYLE & DESIGN
The 500L style and design featured the traditional Fiat grill and a quirky yet fashionable design features that make it stand out in a crowd. The snub-nosed front and the extra wide windshield with the wraparound windows give it a unique stature in a packed segment.
INSIDE
The dominant feature inside the cabin is the retro, throwback driver instrument panel and the dash. Big bold circles, confident splashy color combinations and easy to operate gadgets. The sport bucket seats add to the likeabilioty of the 500L
OPTIONS
There are three options. The lounge trim, coming in at $25,140 is more chromed out color coordinated design cues just are a lot more emphasized.
All in all Fiat has a vehicle that's competitive and it's segment. That's a very competitive segment but it should do well with folks looking for a reasonably priced car with lots of space a hatchback and more than enough room for cargo.
Want more? Check out the AutoFOCUS video review at the link below.
How does it fare on the road? What are the best things about it? Check out this episode