Skip to main content

Used 2015 FIAT 500L Consumer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars
90 reviews

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2015 500L, so we've included reviews for other years of the 500L since its last redesign.

Trending topics in reviews

Pros
Cons
5 out of 5 stars

She's a keeper!

Ron Lakes, 01/12/2016
updated 08/10/2018
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
57 of 57 people found this review helpful

We've had our 500L for 2 years now, though have only put on 14K miles so far, and it's my wife's daily driver. Ours is the Trekking trim with the 6 speed Dual-Dry-Clutch Transmission. In response to an earlier recent review where the reviewer gave the car just 1 star, my experience couldn't be more different. To start off, I love the transmission, but I've adapted my driving habits to ensure its longevity. It is, after all, an automatically shifted manual- not a slush box. What I'm talking about is, for example, to select the gear you want using the manual mode when in stop and go traffic, in particular when you're creeping along, and I always put it in neutral if I'm going to be stopped for any length of time. The reasons for driving the DDCT in this way are a bit technical, and maybe that's why dual clutch transmissions haven't caught on so well stateside. In any case, for 2015 all but the Pop trim come with the Aisin slush box if you opt for an auto transmission. I've had no problem with the car rolling backwards on a slight incline when pulling away from a stop, and hill hold assist works well when on any incline greater than "slight". The engine has proven to be plenty quick enough for merging with traffic etc. and frugal if you're easy on the gas. I've gotten upwards of 39 mpg when on back roads with no traffic, 34 or so on interstates, 25 to 27 in town (lots of cold starts routinely, so the economy suffers a bit for that). Some criticize the 500L for having too firm of a ride, but to me it is sublime, giving a very nice balance between ride and handling. The steering weights up nicely as you turn in, though I wish the turn-in response were a little sharper. It is very stable once into a corner, and it's fun to hustle it if you're in the mood, though the car is really excellent at just cruising on a sunny day, esp. if you've opted for the panoramic roof. The 500L is reasonably quiet at highway speeds, and for our small family it's a great road trip car. The upright seating position gives us long term comfort, and the expansive window area provides for an excellent view in all directions. We've found the front seats to be very comfortable with excellent adjustable lumbar support, though folks of longer inseam are more likely to have an issue with proper thigh support. For 2015 the front seat bottom cushions have been lengthened to address this issue. How I have the driver's seat adjusted allows me full view of the instrument binnacle, though I can see where some might have issues with that- perhaps running a lower seat height and a bit more recline would do the trick for them. The parking brake handle works OK, though ergonomically it could be better. Infotainment is intuitive, simple, and has been trouble free for us. It synchs up with my 160gb ipod classic pretty quickly too. I've had Honda's, Acura's, VW's etc. and this has become my favorite. We decided to buy a MOPAR extended warranty just for peace of mind. Our's has been stone reliable save for the recalls for an airbag and a transmission re-flash. Update: We've begun our 4th year of ownership of our 500L now, and I continue to enjoy driving it. So far we've accrued 22,780 miles and counting, so slightly less than 8,000 miles driven per year on average. It's given us zero problems, its economy continues to be excellent (about 27.4 mpg lifetime) considering that it's had a life of cold starts and short trips. The dual dry clutch transmission continues to perform flawlessly, no chattering that I've experienced when driving other makes' cars equiped with dual clutch transmissions. I continue to stick it in neutral at stops, manually select 1st gear when creeping along in traffic, etc. - these driving techniques are second nature to the point I don't really think about it, done primarily in the interest of minimizing clutch wear, however I personally enjoy the extra engagement in driving our 500L this way. The seats are awesome, and the interior has held up very well- looks almost new still, despite our Havanese's best efforts to scratch it up. And it is a solid car- no squeaks or rattles whatsoever. The suspension rides as new, which is to say, excellent. I would have to say this car has more European character, for better or for worse, than most euro imports, but there is nothing about it that is so different that you can't come to terms with it. It just feels a little special and different. If I were to down grade it relative to what is out there in the marketplace today, it would be for the tech, though that could be said of most vehicles of the 2014 model year. Spy reports show Fiat giving the 500L a face lift for the 2018 model year, and it should be available with most, if not all, of the tech you could want, including all the safety nannies- though that's just speculation on my part. update August 2018- Our 500L is now my commuter car, averaging about 15K miles/yr. Fuel economy is now averaging 34.8 mpg.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse

5 out of 5 stars

Owned lots of cars- this is one of the best

randall118, 07/22/2014
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
23 of 23 people found this review helpful

I've owned about 20 cars and trucks in my life and the 500L Trekking is one of the nicest vehicles I have owned. Nice design. comfortable, smooth ride. Fantastic pick up with the 6 spd. Trekking trim is really great. plenty of storage. The front side windshield windows make for great visibility. The only cons are the armrest is in the way of the hand brake. But it does fold up out of the way. And the driver side wiper does not lift up for easy window cleaning and snow clearing. You have to get the wipers in the "up" position and turn off the car so the wiper stays "up". Then you can lift it up off the window. That's an oddity.

Report Abuse
2015 FIAT 500L for sale near you
Showing 3 of 43 listings
See all 43 listings

4.38 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500L = Fun Italian Ride

demingboys, 06/06/2015
2015 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
22 of 22 people found this review helpful

This little Italian charmer has been quite a refreshing joy to drive over the last few weeks. The performance of the multi-air turbo is phenomenal and unexpected. For its size, the 500L is nimble and handles more like a sports car than the Fiat self-described "Urban Utility Vehicle." I highly recommend the Trekking version of this vehicle. It is a better designed model than the others offered and more rugged in appearance.

Report Abuse

5 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500L 2014 - Much better than you've heard

Don Barkel, 08/05/2016
updated 02/24/2025
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
35 of 36 people found this review helpful

Our 2014 Fiat 500L is now 11 years old and we are at 82,000 miles. The car is no longer being made and so any you come across will be used. We have been very pleased with our car. Despite the perception that Fiats are not reliable, ours has been perfectly reliable with only routine maintenance being done. The car is fun to drive, practical and we are getting 30mpg in mixed driving. I intend to keep it for as long as possible. Ours is a 2014, unlike the title which for some reason I can't change.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse

5 out of 5 stars

Fun and Functional

Richard, 05/02/2016
updated 05/02/2018
2015 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
21 of 21 people found this review helpful

Having owned a fiat 128 Sedan, Fiat 128 3P, Fiat Bravo, and Fiat Spyder 2000 and loved them all I thought I would give Fiat another try since my wife has had a trouble free 500 Sport since 2012 with no problems. I traded in my luxury ride Buick Century for a 500L and I am in love with it. It has plenty enough power to get you on the interstate and cruise at the traditional 5 mph above the speed limit, as well as, get you in and out of tight spots. I especially love the option of running the gears yourself with the optional 6 speed automatic. It has lots of room both front and back and handles like a European Car should handle. It cuts and turns quickly and holds the road beautifully. All of that while maintaining a comfortable ride. I noticed that it stands just a few inches short of my 2003 Chevy Venture van. The appearance means a lot to me also, as it is highly unique and does not have the cookie cutter design that most cars have. In general, it looks great, is functional, roomy, powerful enough and fun to drive.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Disagree with the experts. This car is underrated!

Gilberto Marcha, 04/08/2016
2015 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
34 of 35 people found this review helpful

This is the 11th new car I have purchased and this is one of the most enjoyable. My 2015 500L is a pleasure to drive. This vehicle has received more than a few negative professional reviews but I strongly disagree. Yes the center armrest is narrow but it is functional. I do not mind the emergency brake handle location. The car provides a great view of the road and the seating position is excellent. The ride is tuned to a good level in my opinion. I live in Chicago and this car has proven to be easy to park in tight city street spaces while providing excellent interior volume. Great cargo space for those larger purchases. Highway performance is also good, I have averaged 33 mpg. My children love this car and prefer to ride in it vs our Ford Taurus. I was in the market for a Chrysler 200 but when I could not find one equipped to my liking I took a chance on test driving the 500L and never looked back. Yes I was concerned with the professional ratings and reviews but my experience has been all positive. I have not experienced the brake fade some reviewers did. My car came with the Beats audio system and I frequently have too adjust the base level down as it is tuned too a level way too high.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3.38 out of 5 stars

Fiat 500L automatic

jimofdenver500, 08/13/2013
2014 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
43 of 45 people found this review helpful

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.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

I LOVE my 2015 Fiat 500L Trekking 6-speed automati

Mark, 11/10/2015
updated 11/17/2016
2015 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
17 of 17 people found this review helpful

I had a 2012 500 Sport and it was time for something bigger, I love the look of the 500X and had to take one for a test drive. I picked a Black 500X Trekking AWD, I liked the comfortable ride and was impressed with the 9 speed transmission. While talking about the numbers with my sales person, I could not take my eyes of this 2015 Rosso Perla colored 500L Trekking that was on the show room floor. After a few days I still could not get that car out of my mind, so I went back and test drove that 500L and I loved the cavernous feel on the inside, but it isn't enormous outside (love the cargo area and fold down back seats); it sips gas, has really good visibility, comfortable front seats and a smooth drive. The AISIN Heavy Duty 6 speed automatic shifts great and responds well when I need to down shift for passing or merging onto the highway. So for me I had to have the 500L Trekking, a week after I got it we took it on our family vacation. And it was very comfortable on that long 4 hour road trip to Todd PA. It got around 34 mpg (all highway driving) and on my normal day to day driving I average around 30 combined. I do love this car. I've had no problems whatsoever with it (it's still very new, only 1850 miles, so I'll keep my fingers crossed). It's weird, cute, bug-eyed looking and these are all positives to me. I have absolutely no regrets having moved into a car that performs the same functions of getting me around, but gives me so much more enjoyment than the average same-old same-old car everyone else has. Family, friends and coworkers always ask me "Why another Fiat?" aMy response is always the same, go test drive one for yourself and you will see why I love them. Not every poor review about the Fiat brand is true; you can't believe everything you read. After a year of ownership, the Fiat 500l Trekking is one of the best vehicles I have owned. Unlike other reviews I have not had any problems with the 500l. The only time it has seen the service center is for its routine maintenance. So let me say it again, not every poor review about the Fiat brand is true; you can't believe everything you read.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Undervalued, poorly reviewed car = great deal1

Scoutyspice, 12/19/2015
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
28 of 29 people found this review helpful

CAR--2014 FIAT TREKKING MANUAL trans; BEATS Audio; fully LOADED (no sunroof, heated seats or visor-built-in garage door opener) PAID: $14,595 + tax/fees. (Last 2014 left on lot June2015, $9k discount.) NOTE: CAPS are used for easy reference of points in article. REPLACED--2003 VW PASSAT wagon 1.8lT ABOUT US—This is our SO CA 'family' car. We’ve owned mostly German cars (BMW & MB), my European husband was reluctant to buy it. This car cost half of the Subaru Outback wagon we intended on purchasing. We both have lived in Europe, so the look, size, & power of the car are not strange to us. We installed a THULE roof rack, a FIAT garage installed trailer-hitch for our Thule hitch-mounted bike rack. We are 5'8" & 6'3". SHORT REVIEW—We are impressed & got a great deal. I can’t stress enough: FIND A GOOD FIAT STUDIO/DEALER/GARAGE, as this will directly affect your satisfaction. INITIAL REVIEW-- The GOOD--Great bang for the buck. Fun to drive. A comfortable ride with DECENT SUSPENSION. PASSENGER SPACE comparable to our Passat with better headroom (friends 6’5” sat in the back, & another 6’6” in the front comfortably). Both front & rear seats are adjustable to customize needs and comfort. Intuitive layout & usage of COCKPIT & CONTROLS. We are enjoying the technology: SAT NAV, tech ports, 110v plug, dash trip computer, etc. Good use of SPACE (for a car this size). THE WEIRD-- Strange PARKING BRAKE. Stalled 1-2xs daily for first few weeks getting out of FIRST GEAR (different than other cars we've owned). Optical illusion of SIZE & SHAPE--Car is much roomier inside than appears. 6 MO REVIEW-- OVERALL—Still enjoying the ride & options. Car is now broken-in (& so are we), so we aren’t stalling out of first gear beyond normal occurrences. We’ve gotten used to the PARKING BRAKE. The GAS MILEAGE is decent (22-23/city & +26/hwy, with nearly 30mpg on long hwy trips. Seems to be improving.) The Trekking’s FABRIC SEATS (leather not available on this model) are more self-regulating than I would have assumed. After our hot SO CA summer and now our ‘cold’ weather, all is well. (I don’t miss having heated seats.) A 500L’s sunroof’s screen is perforated, so it will not fully shut out the sun even when closed, and roof racks are not compatible, so I am doubly glad we don’t have one. CRITICAL—NO DEAL-BREAKERS. But…The DOORS lack a ‘stop’ mechanism, they don’t ‘fly’ open, but don’t open in a controlled manner when exiting your vehicle. The BLUETOOTH: good as an mp3 player, bad for talking on the phone. The MIC picks up too much sound from the dash vent & such. We had the ‘DEAD BATTERY issue’ (as noted by other owners) because of a SOFTWARE UPDATE that didn’t take (our FIAT studio’s garage checked-off as ‘done’), which was remedied by another FIAT garage. This other garage is a combo FIAT/JEEP, so they had the knowledge & know-how to install our TRAILER HITCH. So,—FIND A GOOD FIAT STUDIO/DEALER. Many negative reviews stem from issues with a dealership rather than the brand. Hopefully FIAT can remedy this somehow, as they put out a decent product. We have heard about some transmission problems, but we since we have manual, we are hoping to avoid that.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Second Fiat

bobfl3, 07/19/2013
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
26 of 27 people found this review helpful

I loved my 2012 500c but found myself needing something a little larger. I traded in the cabrio for the new 500L and am very pleased with it so far. I've only driven 500 miles on the new one, so time will tell if it is as reliable as the little 500 was. I'm very happy with the Dual Dry Clutch Automatic. It is fuel efficient and has the pick up I need for merging into heavy traffic on the highway. Taller people fit well in the car, even with the sunroof. The car has an excellent ride quality and everything works as it should. It is comfortable, has great visibility, plus it's fun to drive.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Sleeper of a deal...

Carl M., 10/15/2015
2015 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful

WHY is this car not more popular? I mean, I know it looks "different", but that's a good thing in the endless sea of "blah" crossovers and SUV's. Had to give up my beloved VW GTI because we're "of a certain age" and getting in/out of a vehicle is now a major factor for us. This thing is a hoot. I don't understand any of the reviews that state the car has a rough ride. We rented a Cadillac ATS a while back, and this cars ride is, unbelievably, just as good. We find the engine plenty peppy (remember, I traded in my GTI for this), the transmission is just fine, and the steering is nice and light for dodging other cars in parking lots. I've got 1000 miles on it as of this review, and no problems. The interior of this car is GI-MON-GOUS. Huge headroom, legroom, and space in all directions. I wish more people would test drive these things; Once you drive one, you'll buy it. Very very European driving experience. You'll love it.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.13 out of 5 stars

On our 2nd 500L and my 5th FIAT total

roiscuba, 10/20/2014
2014 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
15 of 15 people found this review helpful

This has got to be one of the most underrated cars on the market today. When you strip away the funky exterior (to American tastes) it's a great car, especially in a market segment that has essentially been abandoned. We bought our 1st 500L (Trekking w/manual trans) back in February. Loved the car. Only had minor annoyances (armrest and hand brake operation) that we would have found in any car. Loved it for day to day driving, loved it on the freeway. Used it to haul our 2 Great Danes around with us. When my wife wrecked the car and the insurance company totaled it, we immediately went to another 500L (fully loaded Lounge) without hesitation, because my wife was not hurt at all.

Report Abuse
4.63 out of 5 stars

Glad I Waited for Six Months to Review

scrappy60, 03/29/2014
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful

I bought a Fiat 500L Trekking in September 2013. To be honest, it took me quite awhile to get used to its rather quirky transmission -- and I have a manual!! The issue was the six gears and the need for a quick shift between first and second. But now that I have gotten used to how and when to shift, I am very happy with my purchase. This vehicle has all the features of the pricier Honda CRV at about 5K less -- and it looks better and handles better on the road. Last month I took it on a 800 miles road trip and it was so enjoyable to drive. The gas mileage is also far better than I expected -- I am getting over 29 miles per gallon (combined highway/city).

Report Abuse
4.75 out of 5 stars

Surprised at how much I like this car

clj1959, 08/31/2014
2014 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
21 of 22 people found this review helpful

I downsized to a 500L Easy with a sunroof and automatic from a VW Tiguan. At first I thought "what have I done?" but after a couple of months, and now that I'm accustomed to the quirky transmission, I totally love this car. It's very peppy and incredibly easy to maneuver. I have a 25 mile freeway commute and the 500L handles it with aplomb, and the excellent visibility is a big plus when changing lanes. Another big plus is how unique it is. I'm very happy.

Report Abuse
3 out of 5 stars

Overall ok, now that we learned more

Jeremy Stewart, 01/29/2016
updated 02/06/2018
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Overall this has been a decent car for us. We've taken a number of long-ish trips (3-8 hours in the car), and we've never had an issue. It's a comfortable ride (I'm 5'10, my wife 5'4 and we both fit comfortably in front or in back. We now have a son who is almost 1 and he's spent his entire life thus far riding in this car. With the car seat in the middle, it's a little cramped in the back, but nothing bad. The trunk doesn't fit the jogger stroller very well, well just enough for the stroller and nothing else. It will fit in the front seat (upside down), but it makes reaching the shifter a bit awkward. We really should have gotten a larger car, but my wife LOVED the unique look of the car and the fact that you just don't see many of them around. The Navigation is acceptable, though I wish it had real time traffic updates and I wish the head unit had CarPlay (by Apple) support, it would make things noticeably easier for us, but after a few software updates the bluetooth connects to Siri and now we don't have the terrible default voice recognition software. Plugging your iPhone into the USB port gets you a few different experiences, but the bluetooth pairing has been pretty good now. The only thing I haven't liked about the car is the transmission, and probably more about the lack of education about it. When we bought the car, we were told about the different transmission, but never how it meant we had to treat the car differently than any other automatic. A few months after buying the car, a drive through Starbucks opened up near our house to which my wife has become a regular at. Sometimes she's had to wait in line quite a while and she'd sit in drive with her foot on the brake. After a few minutes she'd notice a smell. It smelled like burning coolant or something sweet like that. She tried to figure out the cause, but couldn't. Every time we took it to dealer they could never replicate it. Another time she actually had some smoke coming out from under her car. After some serious google-fu, I was able to track it down to the fact we should put the car in neutral when at a stop for "a while". There's no documentation that says what "a while" is or anything, so now so long as it's not a stop sign we put it into neutral (stop light, drive through, or stop & go traffic). We wish the dealer was more forth coming with this information when buying the car, in fact my wife may have actually changed her mind on the car with that information at hand, but all said she loves the car, just wishes it was a LITTLE bit bigger in the trunk. Update: 2/4/2017 - we've added another child to our lives and this makes the car feel even smaller. A double stroller will fit in the trunk but it takes some Tetris skills. There's no fitting an adult in the back with the 2 car seats. Maybe a super thin adult. When it comes down to it, when we are done with the payments this car will go to me and my wife will get a larger car to drive the kids around in. We should have gotten a larger car from day 1 unfortunately. If this car were larger it would be great. Repair wise it's been pretty trouble free, which is good considering our local dealer stopped servicing FIATs and we now have to go 30 miles to get dealer warranties. Update 2/6/2018 - December 2017 the car had transmission issues with a lack of power. Could force it into lower gears via manual selection and go but it was tough moving from a stop. Took it to the local dealer (who never stopped servicing fiats even though they told me they were going to) and had them look at it. They thought it was one thing. 2 weeks later they still had it and it wasn’t fixed so they had to replace the entire transmission. That fixed it. But a new transmission at 30k miles is ridiculous. It was outside the warranty but we had our extended warranty which covers it for 10yrs or 100k miles, so out of pocket for us was $100. Would have been roughly $10k without the warranty according to the service rep. I can’t with good conscience recommend this car. I know with the 2014 or 2015 model they redesigned the transmission (pretty much standard instead of some double dry clutch monstrosity), and maybe that will improve the reliability of the car for those models.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Saved my life!!

Mike T, 07/01/2016
2015 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful

I bought a 500L Trekking I'm 2014. After half a year of smooth sailing a crazy person ran a red light and almost killed me. I had four surgeries. The car saves my life. The frame held up despite the awful crash. Now I bought a new leftover 2015 600L Easy. I missed this car so much. I'm glad to be alive and happy to be on the road with this dependable and absolutely adorable car!!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

great little/big car

Joseph Fiamoncini, 04/04/2016
updated 05/01/2017
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
18 of 19 people found this review helpful

Easy to park due to small size yet very roomy inside, peppy engine when paired with the manual transmission, good cargo space, fold down rear seats are not flat unless you use the cover from the storage area in the raised slot to better align the floor of the storage area with the folded seats, stadium style rear seats so that you can easily converse with rear passengers and they can see the road and front seat rider, handles well in corners, can be choppy on poor road surfaces, generally get 28-30 MPG on mixed city/highway driving, both I and my wife own 500L trekkings which together have a combined mileage of 59,000 miles, so far no breakdowns at all and only one recall for airbags, we also opted for the lifetime warranties on both cars, it does have some features that may have led early buyers to think it has gremlins, when making turns the fog light on that side turns on which is great in the dark on sharp turns as it lights up the shoulder of the road for you, when we first bought the car we thought that was a electrical problem but it turns put the dealer had only just learned that it was a feature (which can be disabled from the touch screen controls), the dealer had actually been replacing units in an effort to fix what was not a problem, the GPS needs updated maps which we were told was due to the maps themselves that were being supplied for the system this is not really a major problem for the vast majority of the time the maps have been dead on, the biggest problem has been the owners manual itself, the index was compiled for a different manual entirely as the referenced page numbers don't actually take you to the information that you are trying to look up, also the information in the manual is very weak in useful content, the brakes can be grabby and take experience with the vehicle to learn how to modulate them (they still catch me off guard once in a while) but when needed they seem to stop the car quickly and in a relatively short distance, the air conditioning works well but does affect the gas mileage, the car did get good IIHS crash ratings which was a factor in our decision to purchase them, all in all a competent and reliable vehicle thus far, my other car is a 2007 mazdaspeed 3 so I know about and use quick cars that can handle and brake well; @@@@@@@@ 4/29/2017,,update- we are over 90,000 miles between the two cars, no issues, premium gas will get a little more pep, might be useful here in Florida with heavy air conditioner use but I don't bother, however this does not equate to an increase in gas mileage, don't be afraid to drop down multiple gears on the stick shift to get moving quickly as the top 3 gears are all overdrive ratios, initial pullout needs some revs, wonder if a lighter fly wheel would allow a quicker spin up on the first 1500 RPM's, that is getting a little more technical, Hey, FIAT engineers are you listening. Gas mileage remains around 28, a majority of in town stop and go will drop that to 23-24 MPG. Car does need several thousand miles of break in to get best acceleration(noticeable difference), hmm sounds like a lot of older American iron block cars.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

Still a good choice after 56000 miles.

Bruce Sal, 02/03/2016
updated 08/03/2016
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

I have put 45000 miles on my 500L Trekking in 27 months. It is driven 3-5 days a week to work 24 miles one way. I have made numerous trips of 300 to 450 miles one way. I find the front seats become uncomfortable only on the longest trips. I track my MPG since new and average 30.3 MPG. My best is 39.8. I have the auto transmission and I did have to get used to it. It does not always shift smoothly. I had a problem with the engine check light due to a fuel vac leak. The leak was never found and the problem stopped over a year and a half ago. I love the dashboard. I like a simple layout and feel the FIAT gives it to me. The view from the drivers seat is beyond compare. Cargo room is great. I can carry 2x4x8 boards in the car. It has been a great little car. The TECH package was the selling point for me. The backup camera is awesome.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Love this car

Paige, 03/06/2016
2015 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Owned a 2014, but didn't like the twin clutch so I upgraded to the 2015. I love the car again. With snow tires I don't need 4 wheel drive in Salt Lake City and I take myself and three others and their gear skiing every week. I don't need a rack either. I just fit it in the back no problem.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.63 out of 5 stars

Best Value in this segment by far

sparkin5280, 02/25/2015
2014 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful

Like someone else said, this is one of the most underrated small cars on the market today. It's well documented that Americans don't like wagons or minivans for that matter. Well apparently neither do most auto journalists because this car is lambasted in every pupublication. Just go drive one for yourself, these are TONS of fun. In Colorado here at this elevation Turbos and their forced induction rule the land. Maybe in Texas at sea level this car seems pokey, but in this thin air this 1.4 direct inject turbo runs hard and is a blast to drive. I upgraded from a Mini Clubman and LOVE the fact I can fit 3 car seats wide. To be fair I have the 6 speed manual so no automatic problems here.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Nifty and fun, nice extras

Joanne Straub, 02/23/2015
updated 02/27/2017
2015 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful

I always start with the negatives I note. First would be the fabric. I'm simply not fond of it, it reminds me of heavy duty panty hose and seems to pick up dirt easily. The center armrest is very high and awkwardly placed. There is so much width the door armrest isn't really reachable, either. That said... I love driving this car. After years of soccer mom-mobiles, I wanted something small, easy to maneuver and park, better on gas, and fun. However, we have two large dogs and stepkids on weekends. This is a perfect blend for us. Room for five without needing a shoehorn, and not like driving a Sherman tank. 2 years later. I still LOVE this car. Except for a couple of minor sensor issues fixed under warranty it has been trouble free. Our summer here of 120 and higher do hurt the mileage, about 25mpg in summer, but I get a solid 33mpg in the cooler months. Has had regular dealer maintenance. I've replaced a headlight bulb, a reverse light bulb, tires, and brakes in 50k miles. So I will be a repeat customer. I still get compliments on my little beep beep!!!

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

STILL THE BEST

Vessela Raskov, 11/14/2015
updated 06/27/2022
2015 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
19 of 21 people found this review helpful

Yes, after nearly Six years - STILL THE BEST! My MPG stays at 28.8! (I switched from mid-grade to no-octane gas). Road in construction caused damage to intercooler, and then the turbocharger. So I replaced those two. Other than that, car is phenomenal. Make sure to put the high grade petrol and the correct oil, Mopar filter, etc. I absolutely continue to think what I wrote below years back... I would never know why the "official" reviews were/are so negative. It's an ongoing puzzle because (besides a serpentine belt's part which came loose and was misdiagnosed at Fiat service at year 2, and the car gave plenty of warnings) this car has been a star. Equally so in upstate NY (currently -2F) and in the city (NYC) some 200 miles south. It packs plenty of power, very responsive, the turbo is fantastic and, being only front wheel drive, I see no problems driving on the icy roads outside. Always starts (no need for engine heater) and I have seen some serious winters here; car is parked outside, no garage. Flawless electronics, stunning design inside and out. One change of tires - after 40k miles ! Steady 27 MPG combined highway/dense city traffic. I think the "reviewers" are stagnant in their confined positioning to slave on big brands and their boxy, boring designs and most of all, unimaginative, humor-less " seriousness" that prevents them to see how very cool and functional Fiat 500L is ! My car is still a head-turner ! Too bad Fiat won't bring to the US the wagon version with even more hind space.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Pope Mobile is great car!

Ron Margheim, 02/25/2016
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

I bought this new in March of 2015. Advertised $8000 off MSRP. Great buy. The turbo kicks in @ 3000 rpm's and it becomes a rocket! Easy access, massive headroom. I have 10,000 miles and no problems. I personally love the European Automatic Transmission (DCA). Feels like a manual without the clutch, Most new 2016 models at the dealers have an American Automatic. Guess some people didn't like the DCA. Plenty of trunk space, Always get great mileage.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

Over 20K on a 2014 Fiat 500L Trekking

Scott in DFW, 06/22/2016
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

It's a shame this car has gotten such bad press. I know some have had bad experiences, but I've read about others who have had wonderful experiences with this car. You can almost park this car almost anywhere -- I believe it's length is a few inches shorter than a Toyota Corolla -- yet it has such room inside for passengers and cargo. It's not a sports car, but it handles well enough and rides comfortably on all but the roughest or bumpiest roads. As of this writing, I have had no issues at all; just normal maintenance. The bad press has probably affected sales, so look carefully for a good deal if you're shopping for one.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Awesome Car!

Jose Rojas, 02/15/2016
2015 FIAT 500L Pop 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

This car is a great value for my money. It's fun to drive and its comfortable for me and my family. Also, this car does not look like a cookie cutter car. It's unique and at the same time cute. This car is well worth the money.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4.88 out of 5 stars

Fantastic value and just plain fun to drive

jabird101, 02/16/2014
2014 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

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.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Best Kept Secret

Scott, 03/30/2017
2015 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Really do not understand the negative press reviews for this car. This is my second FIAT, trading up from the 500 to the 500L. I've come to the conclusion that people in this country reject things that are different or unique. The design of the 500L is ingenious - for its size it has amazing interior volume. The ride is very comfortable and it has a great seating position, sitting higher than many crossovers. I'm not sure why the press reviews say the car is under-powered. The engine is turbocharged and - at least in mine - when I hit the pedal that car MOVES! It handles quite well and is fun to drive, even for as tall as it is. Most reviewers have highly criticized the looks of the 500L but I have only gotten nice compliments on it. With all those windows, the high seating position, and spotter mirrors on both sides, all around visibility is amazing! FIAT has some quirky features and design elements, but I think they make the car all that more appealing. Some of the interior trim could be nicer, but most cars today are filled with hard plastics - most of the hard plastic surfaces are slightly textured, so I don't think they look cheap. I have almost 20,000 miles on mine and aside from routine maintenance, the only issue I've had was with a rattle in the back (fixed by the dealer on the first visit). FIAT stands behind their products with an impressive 4 year/50,000 mile warranty, too. On one hand, it is a shame this car doesn't sell better, but I have never been one to drive what everyone else is driving, so I like driving what I consider to be the best keep secret out there! I would absolutely but another one without any hesitation. Do yourself a favor - ignore the press critics and focus on the reviews of people who drive these cars day in and day out.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2.25 out of 5 stars

So many Issues Do Not Buy

shaynebenigno, 01/07/2014
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful

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 don't feel safe in the car and they are refusing to help me.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Update after 5 years of driving.

marbitman, 10/02/2014
updated 10/10/2018
2014 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful

I bought a 500L Easy with automated manual transmission from Fiat of Austin in October, 2013. When my wife wanted to purchase the Blue Chiaro color, and the dealer did not have it in stock, or on order, Lisa C., the manager, immediately got on the case, searched the orders coming into the US, and swapped inventory with a regional dealer, getting the color that we wanted. Delivery was smooth, and we (the car and I) got acquainted. This car is beautifully styled, in and out, is well built, and behaves normally in most unextreme conditions. It is not perfect....I find the brakes to be a bit "touchy", but they perform well. I find the transmission quirky, but it performs well. Update: after 2 years of use this car remains comfortable, reliable, and versatile; excellent on long trips with one passenger and luggage. My other vehicle is a Mazda RX-8, so that I am well versed in the art of performance. Update : The Fiat continues to perform like a champ. I really like the dual clutch transmission. Update:: traded in the 500L for an Alfa Giulia. Just got back from Rome, where 4 of us taxied all over the city. 500L is used as a taxi, with diesel engine,and we had comparo rides in Mercedes, Kia , Renault, Peugeut, etc. The Fiat not only held its own, but was the most comfortable of the bunch. Michael

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Very Happy!

tjmk, 03/23/2015
updated 04/12/2018
2015 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
12 of 13 people found this review helpful

At first I was skeptical about this car but I am thrilled with it. It is so comfortable and fun to drive Feels very sturdy and reliable. The exterior is a bit quirky but I think that makes it fun...I am sick of buying the same old same old. Very roomy vehicle with lots of bells and whistles.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Stay away from FIAT

Paola, 10/05/2018
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Since I got that car is been in & our so many times at the FIAT service. Smoke from the hood, not able to start, had to be toll many times. When the car was under the 4 year warranty, the answer from service always was nothing wrong with the car. Started perfect. We don’t know what problem you are referring. The car drives normal. Okay ... after 4 months when the guarantee expired: surprise!!! The car has only 40,000 miles but needs a new motor starter! Not only that, when the car has a new motor starter the car don’t work because complete engine failure!!! Defective engine when my trusted mechanic saw the car because I didn’t trust anymore the FIAT SERVICE!!! Defective parts cheap parts ... so now the car is a total junk!!!! FIAt basically ripped me selling a defective car: engine failure! Starter motor failure ...

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

First Fiat

redgoldkc, 09/13/2013
2014 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

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

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Love Our Trekking!

markj5362, 02/22/2014
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

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.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Bought a 2014 "New" Treeking for $14K

Jason Moore, 12/15/2015
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Review 2014 FIAT 500L Trekking w/ 6 Spd manual white - no options besides 6.5" Navigation Pros:  1.  Paid $14k for a new car with 100 miles, full warranty (4 yrs/50 mi).  10/10) 2.  Navigation, bluetooth, mp3 (via USB and/or SD card), andUconnect all work well. (9/10) 3.  Comfort - very roomy.  Took my wife, daughter (5yr. w/ car seat), and in-laws to and their luggage to the airport - 10/10. 4.  Manuverability/drivability - 1) the lighest clutch I've ever experienced.  2) short turning radius - makes parking and U-turns very easy.  3) Sturdy - feels like you are driving a Town & Country minivan (about the same ride height)  4) 1st gear is weird, but 3rd gear is when the torque shows up.  5)  drives well in the snow.  Was able to get up/over ice/snow covered hills that I used to get stuck on with old car.  6) at 700 miles, I get 24.5 MPG city, 34.5 highway.  The highest highway MPG was 37.0 (5 peo people plus luggage - going to the airport).  I paid $15 to fill my tank (regular, even though premium is recommended) a few days ago.  Small tank, decent range. 7) Power steering is like theold luxury cars from the 70's & 80's - light & easy. 5.  Easter eggs - 1)  the first day I got it, the arm rest was in the way of my shifting.  You can lower it by pulling on the feont latch and pushing it down (at an angle) perfect for resting your arm and shifting.  2)  You can keep your headlights switched to "on" all the time - basicall like auto headlights.  3)  When you turn your wheel (right or left) the fog lights come on to light the path.  4)  the fog lights are very bright.  5)  You can set a max spedd limit to get a reminder of when you go over a certain speed (I set mine to 75).  You can also set the Navigation to aler t you when you are druving over the posted speed limit. 5.  In reverse, the rear windshield wiper automatically truns on. 6.  If you make a panic stop - hit the brake hard, the hazard lights will automatically flach - alerting drivers behind you. Cons 1)  There are some rattles when driving over rough roads.  The conversation mirror makes noise if you forget to stow it. 2) I was on the highway, and the fasten seatbelt buzzer went off.  I un-fastened and re-fastened my bektm but it cintinued to chime.  It only stopped when I buckled the (empty) frint passenger seat.  It hasn't happened since.   3)  one morning, I noticed that the exterior lights were on (overnight?), car was slow to start/crank over, but still started.  Will turn the lights one/off manually. Regrets:  None - At first I wanted Beats and the moonroof, and the black roof (with the rest of the car white), but it was beyond the scope of my budget, and would ultimately just make the car colder/hotter/louder. Looked at the 2015 Urbanna - but didn't want to pay more.  I could see black wheels getting old/boring after a few years. I like tge styling and floating roof design w/ Trekking body cladding. Overall 9/10 - My parents alwats drover cars different than everyone else, and now so do I.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

Fun useful car

Gary, 03/14/2016
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Impressive cargo space. Great visibility. Has Abarth turbo engine -- ZOOM!!! Dealer support has been exceptional by my standards after 60 years experience driving many brands of cars and trucks. 125 miles per day at 30-33 mpg on regular gas. Fun car...........

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
4 out of 5 stars

One Year of Ownership

Mike, 05/13/2018
updated 11/14/2018
2015 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful

The 500L has been trouble free for my first year of ownership. Software updates by the dealer improved the 6 speed transmission. The best part of owning this car is how easy it is to get in and out of. It is tall so it feels like a much larger vehicle. Large doors and the back seat with a almost flat floor makes it easy for rear passengers. I am a fan of the U-Connect system. The outward visibility is aided by a high driving position.

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
2.13 out of 5 stars

NEVER BUY FIAT!!

mahmabear, 01/23/2014
2014 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful

I got the car, drove it home, very next day it didn't start. Took it to the shop, it said, "It's 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. Wouldn't 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.

Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

Broke Down Already!!

lisanomni, 09/07/2013
2014 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
11 of 13 people found this review helpful

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!

Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Excited to Frustrated/Alarmed

William Pilcher, 12/28/2015
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
17 of 21 people found this review helpful

Excited to buy, loved having a fiat but should have done more homework but when we bought last year there was not this much about the cars. Purchased it as a commuter/local use. Love the room inside, lots of head room, wide so you are not rubbing you elbows and the back seat is very roomy as mentioned in other reviews. Cons:1. on a slight incline when you take your foot off of the brake the clutch takes about 2 seconds to engage, so you roll back and there is a slight pause before power goes to the wheels. Nearly got T Boned the first time, 2. going uphill the power steering looses power so you have to exert more muscle to turn the wheel, then in the middle of the curve the power returns and if you are not ready you end up in the oncoming lane, 3. As mentioned in earlier reviews the brake are not consistent, one time quick and grabby the next there is pedal drop before a smooth application, 4. The low beam headlights do not illuminate nearly far enough, I asked the dealer to dial them higher and he told me they were as high as they would mechanically go. I jus keep them on high beam all of the time and almost nobody notices, If you live in the city you would never notice but if you are driving around back roads or not spending all of your time on interstates then you will feel blind, 5. As mentioned earlier there are few dealers in the Dodge/Chrysler organization that have a trained Fiat mechanics so you have to go to the Fist dealer for anything beyond oil change despite the dealers claim that you can get service at any Dodge/Chrysler service shop, 6. The front seats are not comfortable for a drive longer than 20 minutes, there do not go back far enough for me to have my legs (5'10"), 7. The steering wheel tilts but only slightly so that if you tilt it up it stops and blocks part of the display, They give you plenty of head room but the car does not accommodate persons over 5' 5" or so, we tested with friends, 9. we have had the car for just over a year and I was thinking about trading it in for another Dodge/Chrysler product and the dealer appraised the car at $8,000 and the salesman informed me that it was one of the worst depreciating cars in the USA and he had about 15 used Fiats. I am not 18 and understand car depreciate. I am also old enough over 45 to have driven many cars and know the difference between not liking the feel of handling of a car and not feeling safe driving a car. At first I thought I just needed to get used to it but over time it just gets worst and having to adjust my driving to keep from getting into a dangerous situation is not healthy. I made a big mistake purchasing this car for a number of reasons. I plan to trade it in as soon as I can research and purchase a replacement.

Report Abuse
2.75 out of 5 stars

Never trust a Chrysler dealer

unhappyfiat63, 06/06/2015
2014 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful

We like our Fiat, what we don't like is the customer service. We have 8832 kilometers on our car and a rattle/knock has started in the front end when going over small or large bumps. When we bought the car Chrysler said we could use any Chrysler dealer to service/warranty work on our car and when we called City Chrysler Corner Brook NL they said no we do not service Fiat. Called Fiat Canada and they told us we have to drive to the nearest Fiat dealer, 10 hours away in St. John's NL. Do your homework if you are planning on buying a Fiat, ensure you have a dealer close by and get everything in writing. We will be selling our Fiat and will make sure no one in Western NL buys a Fiat.

Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

'DON'T Buy ONE, Mayor REGRET!'

Frank, 07/14/2016
2014 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful

use it was cute, looked fun. I regret the day I did that, I've never had a vehicle with so much issues. lights go off frequently. Breaks inconsistent, lastly panel board goes crazy, with engine light, and others go off I call the dealership to take it in, I setup an appointment to have it diagnosed, they keep it for a week to advise me that the transmission is gone at 70,000 miles. I challenged that since I drove it there. I had researched recalls on this model, and was told that all the recalls where completed, I asked where and when and was told that the place it was originally done is no longer in business, sketchy with Fiat INC. they avoided me with follow up which made it even more frustrating. I highly recommend YOU to stay away from looking at this disaster of a car, the so called Corporate side of them is in complete denial, I'm now stuck with a car, that I serviced & maintained when due, to have this extra expense of a new trans that they priced at $5,400 to repair, is disheartening!!!

Safety
2 out of 5 stars
Technology
2 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Love my Fiat!

Michael Moose, 01/12/2019
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I bought this car new. It is a 2014 Fiat 500L Trekking model, and has 16,000+ miles on it. It has made two trips from Michigan to Florida and back. The car is great in the city, size and handling, and was really great on the trips to Florida and back. (mileage and navigation were a plus). There is ample room for storage, luggage and such. I have not had a repair, just oil changes. Visibility is the best I have ever had. I still love it!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Our Italian Car -

Nguyen, 08/31/2015
2015 FIAT 500L Urbana Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Read a lot of reviews - Bad and good. Decided to visit OCFIAT, took a test drive (500L Urbana Trekking with BEATS sound) bought the car one week later. Love the car ever since. Bought mine at Orange County Fiat (Costa Mesa, CA.)

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Chrysler Customer Service is Worthless

KC, 07/25/2021
2014 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful

My daughter bought a 2014 500L less than 10 months ago. Yesterday we were quoted $13,000 to put a new transmission in it. After several conversations with customer service, checking on the service history of a recall that describes perfectly what is wrong with the car, Chrysler has said they will do nothing for us. Everyone I have spoken with laughs at that repair estimate. I feel we are being scammed. DO NOT EVER BUY A FIAT.

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

Loaded 500L White

bill crockett, 08/24/2016
2014 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Very reliable- I have driven it R/T to New Orleans from Memphis numerous times with not one problem.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
3.25 out of 5 stars

2500 Mile Review

redgoldkc, 11/11/2013
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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 won't kick-on when turning the key, but it has on a 2nd turn.

Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Do not buy!!

Stacy, 08/14/2022
updated 08/21/2023
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

My 2014 500L died at 116,000. I bought it with 75,000 used from a Toyota dealership. Transmission went out and Fiat dealership quoted me $10,000 as of July 2022. Due to covid, I was forced to move out of state and do not have a familiar mechanic, that's why I had to haul this pile to the dealership (for the smart alecks who would dare ask why I took it to a dealership). A/C also went out and the damn thing eats light bulbs. Transmission has been the biggest issue since I bought it. Took it in several time complaining about the car not shifting right or bogging down and falling on it's face. It's a rats nest, stay away!

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
1 out of 5 stars

Avoid Fiats

William, 09/29/2020
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

My 2014 500L Trekking with 50,000 miles needs a complete, bare metal repaint. Two body shops tell me they see several Fiats a day with severe paint oxidation. Maaco says Fiat used the wrong sealer. Estimated cost to fix is ~$9000.00. Shame on you, Fiat!!!

Report Abuse
5 out of 5 stars

11k miles and counting

fazzster, 04/02/2014
2014 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Our L family hauler just turned 11k miles. The dual clutch transmission has performed flawlessly despite the recall for the reflash. The winter here in New England has been extremely cold yet we have none of the cold start issues some owners have reported. Warmer spring weather has brought 32-37mpg around town driving. The roads around here are very beat up yet the L remains solid and rattle free. Our family of 5 fits great and any extra luggage goes on the roof. The L is a great buy. Don't let the negative reviews turn you off. Though many are certainly legit, just keep in mind many people abuse their machines and are often the ones who cry the loudest.

Report Abuse
2 out of 5 stars

snow flake sensor / air conditoner...

Enelida Cortez, 07/12/2015
2014 FIAT 500L Lounge 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6AM)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful

... not working properly. my brand new 500L fiat , has been in the repair shop ( call studio by fiat customer service ) , it has been the same problem several times. when driving appears the snow flake ( sensor) indicating that ICE ON THE ROAD; and then shut down the air conditioning , the system starting blowing hot air. it is impossible to drive a car on hot temperatures like in South florida , (temperatures almost 100 Degrees ). FIAT is very disapoint .

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
2 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
3 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse
Items per page:
50