2018 Fiat 500L

Pros: Good overall passenger and cargo space within a relatively small “footprint;” generous amount of standard features; spunky, expressive styling stands out from competitors

Cons: Middling acceleration at low RPM; engine is a bit noisy during acceleration; raised-height rear seats can compromise headroom for tall occupants

CG Says: The 2018 Fiat 500L has revised styling. An Uconnect infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability is now standard on all models. The 500L is a compact four-door wagon with seating for five. The sole drivetrain for the front-wheel-drive 500L is a 160-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Available features include dual-zone automatic climate controls and panoramic sunroof. Though larger and more practical than its two-door stablemate, the Fiat 500, the 500L retains its smaller sibling’s unique European styling and much of its fun-to-drive character. Visibility is excellent, and the interior’s more conventional control layout will appeal to a broader range of potential customers. Rear-seat headroom and some odd choices for cargo carrying are issues we’d like to see addressed. Still, the Fiat 500L offers shoppers a lot of convenience features at an aggressive price. A wide range of custom/personalization accessories will go some way toward allowing buyers to make a 500L uniquely their own.