Used 2020 FIAT 500L

#14 in Best Subcompact SUVs of 2020

Based on the Fiat 500 coupe, the 2020 Fiat 500L is the larger of the two, with two additional doors, a larger rear seat and a big cargo hold. While most consider the 500L to be a wagon, its tall roof and chunky design give it a quasi-crossover-SUV vibe in line with the Mazda CX-3, Kia Soul and Toyota C-HR. The shape provides a surprisingly roomy and comfortable interior, with class-leading cargo space.

On the tech side, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, but the 500L is missing critical driver-safety systems that are now standard on most of its competition. Compared to the less expensive Honda HR-V, the Fiat 500L gets worse fuel economy, has lower resale values and poor reliability scores.

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The 2020 Fiat 500L shares the same 160-horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine as the feisty little 500 Abarth, but the 500L’s additional bulk and standard 6-speed automatic transmission dash any hopes of similar performance.

The 500L is built for comfort, so its softer suspension means this Fiat isn’t as much fun in the curves. The “big Fiat’s” long wheelbase and tall profile also mean it can’t return the kind of joy one gets behind the wheel of a Mazda CX-3, Mini Countryman or even a Kia Soul. The flip side is that when it comes to comfort, the 500L does an admirable job of soaking up road imperfections.

Acceleration from a dead stop is acceptable, with an 8-second zero-to-60-mph run with only one person on board (expect that figure to increase by a second or so if you have a fully loaded 500L). On the highway, we found the 500L’s interior to be well insulated from outside noise, though we did experience some annoying wind buffeting around the side mirrors.

When it comes to interior accommodations, the 2020 Fiat 500L stands apart from most of its more compact competitors. The 5-passenger 500L can comfortably seat two grown adults in its back seat, and thanks to the tall roof, they can even be 6-footers and still not bump their heads. The dual-pane sunroof helps brighten the cabin, yet doesn’t markedly diminish rear-seat headroom.

The 500L’s rear seats offer good legroom, too, and can recline for casual cruising or flip and tumble forward to create a massive cargo hold. A clever cargo bay includes a movable shelf panel that allows cargo to be split into sections, helpful when needing to keep wet or muddy equipment separate from other gear.

There’s really no other way of saying it: Either your eyes will appreciate the Fiat 500L for all of its, umm, uniqueness, or they won’t. Subjectivity aside, it’s safe to say that the 500L looks like no other new car on the road. For better or worse, the 500L stands out with its squat, egg-shaped profile and cute little details like those doe-eyed headlights and white or black roof colors.

The mid-trim Trekking model offers flared wheel arches and rugged-looking front and rear fascias. Base Fiat 500L models ride on 16-inch wheels, while Trekking and Lounge trims roll on 17-inch wheels. The Urbana Edition, based on the Trekking model, adds blacked-out bits in hopes of a more aggressive look.

UCONNECT SYSTEM
Regardless of trim, every 2020 Fiat 500L comes standard with the excellent Uconnect 4 infotainment system. Along with a bright, 7-inch touch screen, the system features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. Optional upgrades include navigation and a 7-speaker Beats premium audio system.

INTERIOR ACCOMMODATIONS
Thanks to its rather unconventional shape, Fiat’s 500L for 2020 offers a spacious interior with plenty of headroom both front and back. Behind the rear seat is 22 cubic feet of cargo space that can be expanded to 68 cubic feet when the rear seatbacks are folded.

The 2020 Fiat 500L comes in three trims: Pop, Trekking and Lounge. The Urbana Edition is a visual upgrade package based on the Trekking trim. Base Pop models are reasonably well equipped and include the basics like power windows/door locks and air conditioning, plus keyless entry, an alarm, and an infotainment system with 7-inch touch screen, six speakers and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration.

While the Fiat 500L has basic safety systems like airbags, a rearview monitor, traction control and an available rear parking aid, it is not available with active systems such as lane-keeping assistance, radar cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. If these modern safety features are important to you — and they should be — buy another vehicle.

Stepping up to the Fiat 500L Trekking model adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, 17-inch wheels, rear-seat armrest, Beats premium audio system, SiriusXM satellite radio and navigation. Urbana Editions add blacked-out aesthetics to the Trekking model.

At the top, the Fiat 500L Lounge includes chrome exterior bits, power-folding side mirrors, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable driver’s-seat lumbar and rear parking sensors. A panoramic sunroof is optional on the Trekking and Lounge models, and all versions can be had with a black or white roof for added visual pop.

The Fiat 500L uses a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that makes a good-for-this-class 160 horsepower. When the 500L first came out, its fuel economy was notable. But these days its 30-mpg highway/22-mpg city rating is just one more way in which the Fiat falls short. For example, the 2020 Kia Soul, a much better vehicle, earns up to 35 mpg, while the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3, also better choices than the Fiat 500L, earn up to 34 mpg. The snazzy Nissan Kicks, meanwhile, reaches up to 36 mpg and looks fantastic.

All Fiat 500L models use an aging 6-speed automatic transmission and are front-wheel drive. The Fiat’s turbocharged 1.4-liter engine can run on 87-octane gasoline, but premium 91-grade is recommended. Fun fact: The Fiat 500L is built in Serbia and classified by the EPA as a small station wagon.

1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4
160 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
184 lb-ft of torque @ 2,500-4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 22/30 mpg