FIAT 500L

Much of the range of FIAT it is based on the 500. Various products have been coming out of the small town that have completed the product portfolio of the Italian house. The FIAT 500L It is one of them. However, although such a classic distinction comes in his name, it has little or nothing to do with the utilitarian, although it does steal some things, such as the image.

Before the minivans were well considered. Family models with great qualities of habitability. Today they have been replaced by more attractive bodies such as SUVs. It could be said that the 500L arrived in that transition period. Its launch took place during the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.. In that same event, the first lines of a product that would end up being its natural enemy were presented, the FIAT 500X.

Since then the 500L has suffered the same path as most minivans in the segment. Without major renovations that have kept the model updated, the most familiar version of the FIAT 500 It is on its way to disappearing without leaving a successor. Throughout these years, small novelties have arrived with droppers, although currently the range has been affected by a reduction in mechanical versions.

Technical characteristics of the FIAT 500L

Although the 500L looks like a stretched 500, the reality is that they share absolutely nothing. Under the bodywork of the most familiar FIAT model hides the Small Global Modular Architecture (SGMA) platform. It is a development shared by the entire FCA Group, and it is the same architecture that we can see in other company products such as the 500X, or the Jeep Renegade. It is characterized by the transverse position of the engine and its front-wheel drive.

Due to its measurements, the FIAT 500L is located within the utility segment, segment B, although its interior space does not correspond to it. reach the 4,24 meters long, 1,78 meters wide and 1,66 meters high. To these external dimensions must be added a wheelbase that expands to 2,61 meters. One of the largest in the category.

It translates into an interior space reserved for a maximum of five passengers. Although at the time there was a body with a capacity for seven seats, the 500L Living is no longer there. Regarding load capacity, the trunk of the 500L announces a minimum volume of 412 liters. The second row features longitudinal adjustment. Positioning the bench in the most extreme position, the trunk grows to 455 liters. The maximum figure is obtained by completely folding down the seats, 1.480 litres.

FIAT 500L mechanical range and gearboxes

 

New and stricter European emissions regulations have caused many manufacturers to reduce the number of engines available. Those products that cannot benefit from electrification or hybridization programs are doomed to disappear. That is the case at hand. The FIAT 500L has the latest generation engines, and therefore it is not possible to present some type of electrified assistance.

Such is the situation that what were once three possible mechanics, currently only two have resisted. Both have the same power. In one of them the 500L is fed by a gasoline engine naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1.368 cubic centimeters. It develops 95 horsepower at 6.000 revolutions and a maximum of 127 Nm of torque. at 4.500 revolutions.

Unit diesel It has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 1.248 cubic centimeters with 95 horsepower at 3.750 rpm and 200 Nm of torque at 1.500 rpm. Regardless of the mechanics chosen, it is only available with a front-axle drive system. Management is always derived to a five or six-speed manual gearbox. There is no option to mount other exchange schemes.

FIAT equipment 500L

A path parallel to that of the engines has been followed by the equipment lines. From the inside, the FIAT 500L is shown as a minivan that prioritizes practicality and durability over quality. The interior is made up mostly of hard plastics. Cool-touch surfaces that are completed at certain points with fabric details. The feeling of general quality is low.

Where before there were different trim levels, now there is only one. The 500L range is limited to the Mirror Edition. Certain exclusive elements are applied to it. Touches of exterior and interior design that allow you to have wheels and moldings in black with a contrasting color roof. A palette that we can happily modify thanks to the many customization options available.

As far as equipment is concerned, the FIAT 500L blames an obvious problem of excessive longevity and saving concept. It lacks many systems that we consider common today, but it does not mean that it is poorly equipped. Elements such as the rear parking camera, multifunction steering wheel, air conditioning and UConnect system with 7-inch screen and connectivity for mobile devices stand out. Enjoy a discreet presence of driving assistants.

FIAT 500L video test

FIAT 500L according to Euro NCAP

Euro NCAP subjected the FIAT 500L to its impact tests in 2012 achieving an excellent score, 5 stars. In their respective sections, the resulting notes were as follows. 94 out of 100 in adult passenger protection, 78 out of 100 in child passenger protection, 65 out of 100 in pedestrian vulnerability and 71 out of attendant operation. These values ​​are still present today as there have been no changes in the structure or in the range of the model.

The FIAT 500L of Km 0 and second hand

Despite having been on sale for a few years, the 500L has never really captured a significant market share. Although its great attraction is the low sale price, we cannot say that there is a large number of units available in secondary sales channels. In them we can observe a high percentage of depreciation although with very adjusted prices.

If we take a look at the used and second-hand market, we discover that there are several hundred options within our reach. The cheapest units date from the first years of marketing with high figures on the odometer. Prices start from figures close to 6.000 euros. The Km 0 channel hardly has offers, dealers do not accumulate stock. Prices do not make a big difference compared to factory models.

FIAT 500L rivals

The minivans do not live their best moments. The buying trend of the market has changed considerably in the last two decades. The FIAT 500L militates in segment B, a segment in itself rare to find models as familiar as the Italian. For this reason it is difficult to name direct rivals. It is worth mentioning some similar options in terms of habitability and economic concept, such as the Citroen C3 Aircross, ssangyong tivoli, Vauxhall Crossland, Suzuki Vitara o Dacia Duster. All of them intend to offer a concept of space on a small scale, but unlike the FIAT they do so from an SUV design.

Highlight

• Interior space
• Affordable price
• Adjusted consumption

To improve

• excessive longevity
• obsolete engines
• poor equipment

FIAT 500L Price

Price has always been the main selling point for the 500L. In a segment where every euro counts, squeezing the budget to the maximum is always vital. The starting price of the FIAT 500L is 19.755 euros, without offers or promotions. That value corresponds to a unit with Mirror finish and gasoline engine. The mirror finish diesel option is slightly more expensive, presenting a minimum cost of 21.928 euros, without offers or promotions.

Fiat 500L Photo Gallery

Full path to article: Actualidad Motor » Fiat » FIAT 500L