2017 FIAT 500L Review
2017 FIAT 500L Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Pros
- Plenty of passenger room and cargo space for a small hatchback
- Optional touchscreen interface is attractive and easy to use
- Good outward visibility
Cons
- Choppy ride quality over rough pavement
- Feels slower than most other cars in the class
- Touchy brakes make it hard to come to a smooth stop
- Rear seats don't fold flat for more cargo flexibility
What’s new
For 2017, Fiat simplifies the 500L into three trim levels instead of five. The manual transmission and sluggish dual-clutch automatic transmission are discontinued, so all models now use a�traditional six-speed automatic.
Vehicle overview
Fiat cemented its recent American comeback with the 500, a diminutive two-door seemingly ideal for urban commuters and metro dwellers. What the "Cinquecento" lacked in class-leading standards, it made up for with small-car charisma not seen since the reintroduction of the Mini. For some buyers, however, the 500 is too small. And that's where the larger, four-door Fiat 500L comes in.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 FIAT 500L Pop 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$210/mo for 500L Pop
500L Pop
vs
$174/mo
Avg. Compact Car
This family-oriented Fiat provides more than 2 feet of added length along with its extra pair of doors and yields as much interior volume as some small crossovers. High-mounted front seats give the driver and front passenger a commanding view of the road. And in contrast to the painfully cramped rear quarters in the two-door 500, the 500L delivers plentiful rear head- and legroom.
That's pretty much where the good news ends, however. If you fill the 500L with passengers and cargo, for example, the turbocharged four-cylinder engine struggles with the added weight. Throw in a choppy ride, lackluster build quality and a brake pedal that's hard to operate smoothly, and it's not surprising that the 500L brings up the rear in this segment.
Unless you have to have an Italian hatchback, it's worth considering one of the 500L's rivals such as the Kia Soul. It offers similar interior dimensions and personality, and it's a superior vehicle in most ways. The Mini Cooper Countryman offers a far more sophisticated driving experience, with sportier handling, faster acceleration and optional all-wheel drive, but at a higher price. Other choices we recommend include compact crossovers such as the Nissan Juke, Fiat's own 500X, the Honda HR-V and the Hyundai Tucson.
The 2017 Fiat 500L comes standard with antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, hill hold assist, front-seat-mounted airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag and active head restraints for front seat occupants. A rearview camera and rear parking sensors are also available. The optional Uconnect Access feature that comes with the 6.5-inch touchscreen includes remote vehicle access (via a smartphone app), emergency assistance and stolen vehicle location.
In simulated panic stops from 60 mph, a 500L Lounge required 120 feet to stop while a 500L Trekking took 122 feet. Both distances are a little better than average for this class.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 500L its top rating of Good in the moderate-overlap front-impact test, but the lowest Poor rating in the small-overlap front-impact test. In the remaining side-impact, roof strength, and seat/head restraint (whiplash protection) tests, the 500L earned a Good rating.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
With ample passenger and cargo space, the four-door 2017 Fiat 500L is a more practical alternative to the tiny 500 hatchback. Unfortunately, it doesn't measure up to some of the better vehicles in its class when it comes to performance and refinement.
Driving
Little about driving the 2017 Fiat 500L compares to the diminutive two-door Fiat 500. Although it's considered a small wagon, the 500L feels many times larger than the 500 hatchback and larger than its peers. Its ride and handling traits are softer and clumsier than what we're accustomed to in this class, especially on bumpy road surfaces where it pitches and rolls a little too much. There's also quite a bit of of wind noise from the upright windshield and large side mirrors.
Fiat's turbocharged four-cylinder engine works fine in the smaller 500 but meets its match trying to haul the added weight — about 800 pounds — of the 500L. With a couple of passengers aboard, accelerating to highway speeds requires a plan and patience. We're not particularly fond of the brakes, either. The braking system performs fine (see Safety section), but the pedal makes its hard to slow down smoothly and without excessive jerking and grabbing.
Interior
Large doors, a level roof line and high-mounted front seats make it easy to slide right into the Fiat 500L. The front seats are wide and comfortable, but they're also stiff and not especially supportive during spirited driving. They also lack any sort of power adjustment other than the available power lumbar.
Once seated, you'll be struck by the expansive field of vision that comes from the wagon's large glass area. Unimpeded views in all directions give the 500L a feeling of space and openness almost like a minivan, although the large pillars on either side of the windshield take some getting used to.
The dash design has a cool and contemporary feel that gives it a unique charm. The dual-gauge instrument cluster delivers clear information to the driver at a glance. Some of the smaller details and information displayed in the center cluster are harder to read, however, with smaller fonts and a somewhat muddled presentation.
Both of the 500L's touchscreens work well, but we're particularly fond of the optional 6.5-inch touchscreen because its quick processing times and large icons make it easier to use.
The 500L's ample interior room compared to the two-door 500 is obvious in the backseat, where added width provides a comfortable perch for two adults or three children. There's plenty of legroom, too, particularly with the sliding 60/40-split seats in the rearmost position, but the non-reclining seatbacks feel a bit too upright.
The 500L's maximum cargo capacity of 68 cubic feet rivals that of larger compact crossovers and it's more than the Kia Soul (61 cubic feet), Mini Countryman (41) and Nissan Juke (36), not to mention the related Fiat 500X (51). Just as impressive is the 21.3 cubic feet behind the upright rear seats. The 500L's real-world utility is hampered by a high liftover height and rear seat backrests that don't fold totally flat, however.
2017 FIAT 500L models
The 2017 Fiat 500L is a four-door compact wagon sold in three trim levels: Pop, Trekking and Lounge.
The base-level Pop comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, tinted glass, power windows/mirrors/door locks, air-conditioning, remote keyless entry, six-way manually adjustable cloth front seats, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seats that slide fore and aft, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a 5-inch touchscreen interface, voice controls and a six-speaker audio system with a CD player, a USB port and an auxiliary input.
The Trekking level adds 17-inch wheels, foglights, unique body panels and trim with a rugged theme, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a rear seat armrest, satellite radio, and a Beats Audio sound system with six speakers and a trunk-mounted subwoofer.
Moving up to the Lounge adds 17-inch alloy wheels with a painted finish, chrome exterior mirrors and body accents, and a 115-volt auxiliary power outlet.
Most options are grouped into bundles for each trim level. Highlights include the Popular Equipment package, which adds dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, four-way front seat power lumbar adjustment, a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and satellite radio. The Premium package bundles the same items and adds a spare tire, the Beats audio system, navigation, and upgraded Uconnect entertainment with the 6.5-inch touchscreen.
A sunroof, matte black finish wheels, and color combinations that match the roof and exterior mirrors are other available options.
The front-wheel-drive 2017 Fiat 500L is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with a six-speed automatic transmission.
In Edmunds testing, a 500L Trekking with the automatic transmission accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, a respectable time for a small wagon/hatchback.
The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg combined (22 city/30 highway).
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3 out of 5 stars3/5Above Average
#29 out of 29 among Compact SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the FIAT 500L from 2008-2022.$489/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).1.89x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).16.8%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2017 FIAT 500L.
5 star(70%)
4 star(10%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(10%)
1 star(3%)
30 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
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)
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.
5 out of 5 stars
Fun and Functional
Richard, 05/02/2016
2015 FIAT 500L Easy 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
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.
5 out of 5 stars
Fiat 500L - Much better than you've heard
Don Barkel, 08/05/2016
2016 FIAT 500L Trekking 4dr Wagon (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
I continue to be amazed by the relatively poor reviews given to this car by the "experts". We have had ours for 1 1/2 years now and continue to find it a quality car with excellent driving characteristics and versatility. Give it a chance and you will love it. I know people have concerns about Fiat reliability. All I can say is that since we bought it we have been back to the … dealer just once for routine oil change.
Update: Our Fiat continues to perform flawlessly. I love how it drives, very nimble and oh so practical. Still no reliability problems. Back for routine service (oil changes) only. Remain puzzled by the continued poor reviews of this car. I would encourage you to at least look at it and test drive if you are in the market for a small cross-over.
Update: We are now at 30,000 miles and our Fiat 500L continues to perform flawlessly. We continue to enjoy the practicality of the car but also its fun factor. I still don't get the negative reviews from so many "experts". Reliability has been perfect - we literally have had nothing needing to be fixed other than a software update done at a routing oil change.
Update: now at 5 years of ownership and 50,000 miles. We continue to enjoy our FIAT. The 500L seems to be one of those cars that is beloved by its owners but unloved by the critics. Sadly the critics have carried the day and 500L is not going to be produced anymore. I intend to keep mine for as long as it remains an enjoyable and practical car for us. Hopefully Edmiunds will continue to ask me for an update every now and then and I will update my experience for anyone out there reading this
Update: we have now had our Fiat for 7 years and we continue to enjoy its combination of fun and practicality. Replace tires and brakes at 50,000 miles. Other than that only routine maintenance. The 500L is no longer available in the USA and so we will keep ours for as long as we can.
Update (August 2022): continue to enjoy our Fiat 500L (2014 Trekking). No longer being made but I intend to keep it for some time as it is a unique combination of fun, economy and practicality.
Update (February 2023): now 8 years into owning our 2014 Fiat 500L Trekking. Now at 62,000 miles. Remains a fun and practical car. No repairs at all other than routine maintenance items which have included new tires and rear brakes at about 50k miles. Intend to keep this car as long it is working for us. Generally used as our 2nd car now for city trips. No longer being made but I would buy a used one if I were in the market for a small SUV/crossover.
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)
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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 FIAT 500L, so we've included reviews for other years of the 500L since its last redesign.
2017 500L Highlights
Pop
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $20,995 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $210/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the 500L include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestPoor
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestGood
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
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