Overview & Reviews

For an automaker to sell a lot of cars in the United States, it typically needs to offer a vehicle with four doors. So the Italian automaker Fiat made sure its four-door 500L was ready for prime time as soon as Americans began to take a shine to its tiny 500 hatchback. The idea behind the Fiat 500L is simple. It's a tall hatchback/wagon that's far more suitable for family use than the regular 500, while retaining the smaller car's shapeliness and Italian charm. Of course, Fiat offers the 500L in a wide variety of flavors and color combinations, so it's easy to personalize to your liking.

No matter how much the 500L may make sense on paper, however, in practice it has disappointed our editors with its unresponsive transmission, busy ride, unrefined suspension tuning, subpar interior quality and a lack of versatility that can't be detected simply by looking at a spec sheet.

Current Fiat 500L
The Fiat 500L is a small wagon/tall hatchback that debuted for the 2014 model year. All Fiat 500L models are front-wheel drive and have a turbocharged, 1.4-liter four–cylinder engine rated at 160 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. You can choose either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automated manual transmission that basically functions like an automatic transmission. All-wheel drive currently isn't available for the Fiat 500L.

The 500L is offered in four trim levels: Pop, Easy, Trekking and Lounge. Standard features on the Pop include keyless entry, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a six-speaker CD stereo. The Easy trim adds features like alloy wheels, upgraded seat fabric and an upgraded stereo. The Trekking gets unique front and rear body panels, two-tone interior trim and premium cloth upholstery, while the top-of-the-line Lounge gets amenities like leather upholstery, heated front seats and dual-zone automatic climate control. The automated manual transmission is standard on the top-of-the-line Lounge, while the other trims are available with either transmission.

In reviews, we found the 500L to be softer and less nimble than the standard 500 on the road. Ride quality can get a bit busy on uneven road surfaces and its upright stance and large side mirrors combine to create lots of wind noise within the cabin. With the automated manual transmission, the car can be slow to respond when accelerating from a traffic light or merging onto a freeway. On the plus side, steering is precise and the 500L navigates turns with confidence.

Designed to be more family-friendly than the regular 500 two-door coupe and convertible, the L is 27 inches longer and 6 inches wider and taller than its sibling. This opens up considerably more headroom for taller drivers, while the extra hip- and shoulder room in the backseat makes it a more viable option if you've got kids. It's still a bit too compact to seat three adults in back. The 500L's maximum cargo capacity of 68 cubic feet rivals that of larger compact crossovers, and its 21.3 cubic feet with the seats raised is similarly segment-leading. However, real-world utility is hampered by a high cargo lift-over height and rear-seat backrests that don't fold totally flat.

There's plenty of style inside the Fiat 500L. It looks distinct from the regular 500 thanks to its revised dash, instrumentation and steering wheel. This wagon features the latest version of Chrysler's Uconnect technology, which provides enhanced functionality for smartphones via the car's Bluetooth connection. You can wirelessly stream music from your mobile device, and the system offers text-to-speech capability for SMS messages sent to MAP-enabled phones. A six-speaker Beats by Dr. Dre sound system is also available, as is a dual-pane sunroof (though it significantly reduces headroom). There's a large assortment of interior and exterior color combinations, too, and you can opt for cloth or leather upholstery.

User Reviews:

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  Love Our Trekking! - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By markj5362 - February 21 - 9:09 pm

  Traded in a 500 Sport to get a bit more space. Our Sport had 8,500 miles with zero problems. We now have 2500 miles on the L. Very well built. Both cars were ordered with the manual transmission which I think is a better option. The negative reviews all seem to be on cars with the auto/dual clutch trans. Combined mileage is 27.3-mostly around town. 33 mpg on highway.

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  Fantastic value and just plain fun to drive - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By jabird101 - February 16 - 4:56 pm

  I purchased my 500L in early July 2013. When I tried to insure it, Progressive had no rate for this vehicle. This is how early I got in on the 500L. After 7 months I am more than pleased with the performance, quality, economy and just plain fun. There have been reports of transmissions issues, and while there were some that had issues, this was caused by a faulty version of the controller software, and has since been corrected. Those affected became a very vocal group of three or four people who have plastered false info every where they can. This is proven by the 25,000 plus units with the DDCT, the tens of thousands of Dodge Dart DDCT units and the 100,000+ good units world wide.

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  Fiat 500L Easy with Sunroof. - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By evbruno - February 14 - 3:07 am

  We purchased a 500L Easy Rosso Perla with Red/Cementite Seats and sunroof at the end of 11/2014. I really enjoy the dual clutch transmission gives me the "manually feel" but I do not wear out my left knee in city traffic. The adjustability of steering column up/down in/out is excellent. The vehicle is mainly driven in the city we have done some highway driving one 3 hour trip and the ride was very comfortable. With the rear seats down I was able to get a 55 inch flat screen TV in the box with about 1 to spare with length and width in to the 500L. The 500L has the Daytime running lights which I have enabled. The UConnect works well with my iPhone.

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  Dangerous Vehicle -- Do not consider buying - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By valibertarian - February 9 - 8:15 am

  I purchased a 500L Trekking for my wife three weeks ago. After the first week, we drove down the road and the transmission was locked in 2nd gear. It would not shift up or down -- even with auto stick. We had to pull over and shut the car off -- then it would not restart because it was locked in second gear. We were stranded on the side of the road. We eventually made it to the dealership and they gave us a 500L loaner -- the next day the same thing happened with it! Check the Fiat 500L forums and youll find that this is a known and common issue. There are also multiple complaints with the NHTSA. Two weeks into the repair, there is no word on when well get the car back.

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  NEVER BUY FIAT!! - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By mahmabear - January 23 - 4:19 pm

  I got the car, drove it home, very next day it didnt start. Took it to the shop, it said, "Its too cold for it here" (Northern Indiana)...Brought it back home, drove it for three days (300 miles) with starting issues...then it totally broke down. Wouldnt start, stereo was cutting out and blowers on the heater/air conditioner stopped working. Call for Fiat Roadside assistance, three times a day for 6!!!!! days until they finally came to get it. Towed it to the shop where it has sat for two weeks. I am getting the run around completely.

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  So many Issues Do Not Buy - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By shaynebenigno - January 6 - 9:58 pm

  I bought this car oct 30 2013. It has been in the shop 4 times for weeks at a time. The check engine lights and transmission lights go on. The whole car has lost power leaving me with no power steering brakes flying down the HWY 70 mph. The car is unsafe. Fiat acts like they never heard of this issue but I have found other people on forums that have had the same so apparently its an issue. I dont feel safe in the car and they are refusing to help me.

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  2500 Mile Review - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By redgoldkc - November 10 - 10:19 pm

  This car has excellent interior room for its size. For me, it is the perfect size vehicle. I wanted something smaller than a CUV, but still can fit some cargo. The exterior and interior styling is unique and looks upscale. The tech is user friendly. It has plenty of power and can be fun to drive. I say can because the vents and cheap interior plastic vibrate and rattle if not on a freshly paved road. Also, I hate to turn off the bass on the Beat audio because it made the plastic on the door rattle. Forgot putting stuff in the glovebox or center console unless you want the sound of a baby rattle. Occasionally the car wont kick-on when turning the key, but it has on a 2nd turn.

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  First Fiat - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By redgoldkc - September 12 - 9:24 pm

  This is a great looking small car with a surprising amount of interior room. I love the emerald green color that I selected. It is recommended to use premium gas and the engine does seem to run smoother and more responsive with premium gas. I am not sold on this "automated manual" transmission. It feels somewhat unstable and it is difficult to shift from park to reverse when parked on hill with the front of the car higher than the rear. The gas mileage is subpar for a small front wheel drive car. I have averaged 25mpg in primarily city driving. Overall, this car has it perks and drawbacks. As for competitors: Soul and Juke were too much of a kid car. Encore cramped and Mini CM pricey

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  Broke Down Already!! - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By lisanomni - September 6 - 10:55 pm

  I bought my Fiat 500L about 3 weeks ago. I was on my way to work, when it started shaking and the transmission light came on. I had to wait for Fiat to open and the car had to be towed in. This Maxwell Supercenter has no clue how to repair the car and I have been without it for a week. The manager, Jack M., has been Very difficult and even though I got a call today, after 7 days, I do not feel comfortable and safe in My Fiat. I plan to return it. The GM (Lisa C.) here at Austin Fiat has no concern and when my attorney confronts her with the Lemon Law and demands a refund, maybe she will sing a different tune? I have been stunned at the poor service I have received!

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  Fiat 500L automatic - 2014 Fiat 500L
  By jimofdenver500 - August 13 - 5:08 pm

  I really like my new 500L but it does not like me. After 6 days, 350ml, it broke down in stop and go traffic on I-25 outside Denver. The twin clutch automatic heated up, smoked and therefore the system shut down. Had roadside assistance tow it back to the Fiat dealer. After setting for three days the car started okay and was drivable. The dealer could not find any problems, the engineer in Italy could not find any problem with the readout data. Their comment was that with the stop and go traffic the 500L twin clutch automatic acted "normally". So what am I to do?? Not drive the car in USA stop and go traffic?! Fiat USA is still working with me so hopefully there will be a positive outcome.