It wound up with the 500L that's bug-ugly, but roomy and a graceful driver.
Reasonable people often disagree on matters of taste, so you might like the appearance.
The 500L resembles, from afar, the Mini Cooper Clubman SUV. That car's about the same size as the L, but starts about $3,000 more. The Clubman also offers optional all-wheel drive (AWD), which the Fiat doesn't. Fiat's a Chrysler Group brand, as is Jeep, which the automaker believes ought to be the main AWD brand.
Unlike the 500 coupe (no "L") the new model isn't a style play. Instead, its airy interior with well-designed, nicely executed shapes and textures, and generally quiet personality, make it as well-suited for road trips and highway commuting as the coupe is for city be-bopping.
Even though the L is, by Fiat's tape measure, 27 inches longer than the 500, as well as 6 inches wider and taller, the bigger car's still not that big. And it has a tight 32-foot turning circle diameter, making it a parking marvel.
Fiat says about 20% of buyers choose the six-speed manual, a huge portion by U.S. standards. We found it easy to shift, quirk-free and not a hassle in traffic. Possible exception: the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine's lack of torque just off idle, combined with the clutch's easy-going feel, might trick you into killing the engine now and then.
The Euro clutch automatic that's in the other 80% of 500Ls is described by Fiat as a dual dry-clutch gearbox. That means it works internally like a manual, but there's no clutch pedal, and the gearbox software — not the driver — decides when to shift.
Because there's no drag-producing torque converter, the transmission delivers good fuel economy. But without torque convertor's power-flow smoothing, it isn't as pleasant at low speed as you might prefer.
A city-dwelling colleague found it unple! asant; in suburban environs it seemed OK.
Also of note:
The small four-cylinder engine, similar to one of the Dodge Dart's optional powerplants, feels surprisingly muscular, despite modest ratings of 160 horsepower and 184 pounds-feet of torque. Sounds good, too.
Driving dynamics are high-level. Steering's excellent at both keeping the car on-center and weaving through tight turns. Brakes respond quickly and aggressively to the pedal, which has a confidence-inspiring, firm feel.
The 500L's tall, but still manages to juke through turns without feeling tipsy.
The standard Chrysler Uconnect infotainment system links immediately to the too-hip Windows phone and the iPhone.
Seating is generous, giving all occupants unexpected space, especially considering the car's trim size. But not all will find the seats comfortable. We think the rear seats are too upright and padded in the wrong places. The rear seats do slide fore and aft to help meet cargo or people needs.
Instruments and controls are sensibly arrayed, though the red illumination won't be best for everybody. We found it very unhelpful when trying to read the temperature setting in the low-mounted climate controls.
The extra set of windshield pillars looks as if it'll be distracting, but isn't. The small buttress pillar just aft of the side mirror creates a triangle of glass that makes it easier to spot the likes of short pedestrians or baby carriages in crosswalks. No getting around the strange look though.
If you remember when cars had triangular vent windows, the layout might not seem strange.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash-tested the L last year and rated it a "Top Safety Pick" because it scored "good," the top rating, in the suite of tests. But the tests have changed and the car "doesn't meet the tougher criteria" to get the same rating now, IIHS says.
If the styling suits you, and you don't mind a gamble on a model that hasn't been on the road very long, you coul! d fall in! love with the 500L for its roominess, driving feel and plentiful features, even in the base Pop model.
ABOUT THE 500L
What? Four-door, five-passenger front-drive hatchback compact that shares little but name with the smaller 500. Fiat calls it a small multipurpose vehicle. Available in four trim levels: Pop, Easy, Trekking, Lounge.
When? On sale since June.
Where? Made in Kragujevac, Serbia, using Italian drivetrain.
How much? Prices range from $19,995 for Pop base model, including $800 shipping, to $28,545 for fully loaded Lounge.
What makes it go? 1.4-liter turbocharged Multiair four-cylinder rated 160 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, 184 pounds-feet of torque at 2,500 rpm. Mated to six-speed manual or what Fiat calls Euro Twin Clutch six-speed automatic. Conventional automatic with torque converter available later this year.
How big? A few inches longer and an inch narrower than Kia Soul. Weighs 3,200 (manual), 3,260 (automatic) lbs. Passenger space: 98.8 cubic feet. Cargo: 22.4 cu. ft. behind rear seat, 68 cu. ft. rear seat folded. Turning circle diameter, 32.3 ft.
How thirsty? Rated 25 mpg in the city, 33 highway, 28 combined (manual), 24/33/27 (automatic). Pop manual transmission test car registered 22.3 mpg (4.48 gallons/100 miles), Trekking with automatic, 23.4 (4.27 gal./100 mi.), both in city/suburban mix. Premium recommended, regular acceptable. Tanks holds 13.2 gal.
Overall: Satisfying, graceful, roomy.
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