2018 Fiat 500L Review
Utility, space, and comfort delivered in a concise package are what compact crossover SUVs and wagons are designed for, and the Fiat 500L strives for just that with three coinciding trims. Every Fiat 500L is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque that powers the front-wheel-drive through a six-speed automatic transmission. There are plenty of rivals in this class, however, and matching up to the Kia Soul and Honda Fit could prove challenging for the 500L with its notable fallbacks. Spending some time in the 500L will reveal its inadequacies in drive quality, comfort, and utility, areas in which this type of vehicle is expected to excel. Where the 500L does show promise is in its iconic styling and spacious interior, as well as overall value and economic performance.
What's the Price of the 2018 Fiat 500L?
The base-level Pop is the cheapest trim, with an MSRP of $20,995. At this level, the 500L is reasonably equipped with a range of appreciable features and capabilities. Moving up to the adventure-centric Trekking trim will cost around $2,330 more: with its MSRP of $23,325 you'll get the unique rugged styling cues and 17-inch wheels, along with a few additional tech upgrades and comfort features. The top-level Lounge trim has a starting MSRP of $23,895 and offers a more formal exterior, with chrome accents and mirrors, and all the comfort, convenience, and technology features available in the 500L range as standard. All above prices are excluding tax, registration, licensing, and a $1,245 destination charge.
2018 500L Exterior
Dimensions
Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
167.3 in | 102.8 in | 65.7 in | 69.8 in | 59.1 in | 59.4 in | 3,254.0 lbs |
2018 500L Performance
Handling and Driving Impressions
Thanks to the front-mounted engine, the wagon handles reasonably well with the weight of the engine over the front axle, but because of its hefty dimensions and 500-borrowed engine, it feels mostly burdensome to drive. Although the steering is reasonably accurate, the weight of the vehicle causes slow responses and difficult-to-correct understeer at the limit. Notwithstanding the grabby brakes, the pedal feels moderately firm, and stopping from 60 mph takes around 120 feet, which is about on par for its class.
The 500L feels top heavy and conveys substantial side-to-side sway and instability during panic stops as well as spirited cornering. Because of the tightly sprung suspension and along with the high set seats, turns tend to result in a lot of confidence-eroding lean and a perched sensation.
Ride quality overall is average, the tightly sprung suspension, firm seats, and open interior making for rough, overly rigid cruising, while the cabin is flooded by outside and engine, wind, and ire noise, hindering the 500L's use as a refined long distance journey maker. Other vehicles in this segment offer far more quality overall and many at lower prices as well.
2018 500L Interior
2018 500L Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
---|---|---|---|
4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles |
Verdict: Is the 2018 Fiat 500L A Good car?
The Fiat 500L may present some advantages in its ample trunk, cargo, and interior space as well as in its intuitive infotainment system, but it lacks in many areas in which segment rivals excel. The wagon could benefit from a few more safety and advanced driver assist features and could do with some adjustments mechanically and to the seats and cabin to improve its overall ride quality. It doesn't have the best gas mileage estimates either, and the turbo engine proves far too feeble for the substantial dimensions, incapable of dealing with the weight of a full passenger contingent aboard. The 500L offers a lot of utility at an affordable price, but falls short on rather important passenger vehicle elements, specifically in comfort. Competing rivals simply have more to offer for the same price range. The 2018 Kia Soul is more affordable than the 500L, with more interior space, utility and power and a bigger 201-hp turbocharged engine in the upper trim. It also receives exemplary crash test scores. All of these factors reveal how much more the 500L needs to offer to be a worthy contender in the segment.
What Fiat 500L Model Should I Buy?
Considering the shared mechanical particulars and underpinnings of the three optional trims and with only a mild price jump from the base level Pop trim to the fully-loaded Lounge trim, we suggest going straight for the feature-rich top-level 500L Lounge. With this trim come the 17-inch wheels and chrome exterior accents and mirrors, features above those of the Pop and Trekking, including rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, two-way power lumbar adjustment for the driver and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Some available options can be equipped at the Lounge level, including a panoramic dual-pane power sunroof and the Graphite Edition package, which pairs the sunroof with minor cosmetic modifications.
2018 Fiat 500L Comparisons
2018 Fiat 500L vs Kia Soul
At around $3,500 cheaper than the 500L, and packed with utility and appreciable features, the Kia Soul is a pertinent rival for compact wagon hunters to consider. Also featured in three varying and progressing trims, the Kia Soul offers different engine and transmission options with each trim, getting more powerful moving up the trim tiers. That considered, even the base level Soul's 1.6-liter engine proves sufficient. The top-tier Kia Soul trim is cheaper than the 500L's top-tiering Lounge but holds a far more vigorous 1.6-liter turbocharged engine producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, and a superior seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission, both giving the Soul way better handling and drive dynamics than the 500L. In all other aspects, however, the two rivals perform relatively similarly. We do feel that the Kia Soul delivers more value for money though, which is why it would be the option to choose here.
2018 Fiat 500L vs Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is a tenacious segment rival for the 500L, with its impressive roominess, next level utility and frugal fuel economy estimates. Well-respected in the Honda Fit is the magic rear seats that allow for an array of storage and seating arrangements; on top of that, the Fit is unrivaled in cargo and trunk space capabilities. The Fit also boasts a greater selection of advanced driver safety features, including adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning and intervention, an area where the 500L could receive some attention. Comfort-wise the Fit has improved noise insulation and enhanced suspension and steering for quicker responses, keeping the Fit a pleasant daily commuter and the enjoyable long journey maker it has always been. Though the Fit holds a smaller less powerful engine, it still feels a lot more refined and better overall to drive, which is why for the price correlation to the 500L, it is the more appealing choice.