The 2014 Fiat 500L: For Those Special Nights

"Justin Sabath" (justinsabath)
01/12/2015 at 00:10 • Filed to: Fiat, 500, Fiat 500L, Review

A few days ago, I ventured to a Fiat Studio in Springfield, Illinois to take a gander at the 2014 Fiat 500L Trekking, priced for about 24 thousand big ones. The mini wagon body style was a bit strange, but it successfully incorporates the Fiat 500 body style and character, which I thoroughly enjoy.

The exterior features a large panoramic roof with alternative colors in either black or white. This Trekking addition also sports 17in wheels, and more aggressively styled front and rear bumpers. It has an ovular exhaust tip with a nice deep tone linked to a turbocharged 4-banger, matched to a 6 speed dual clutch automatic transmission.

On the interior, the first thing I noticed was the A, B, C, and D pillars allowing for virtually no blind spots and a 360° view. After listening to the Beats by Dr. Dre® Premium Sound System with the 6.5in Uconnect touchscreen, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the dirty rap music I was listening to; however I was disappointed that the subwoofer was located under he the passenger seat, instead of the large trunk, which would have appealed to younger buyers like me. The touchscreen was easy to use, with alternative buttons along the screen to make the screen a bit more functional. The interior presents quality materials like leather trim, a leather wrapped steering wheel, and soft plastic, but it also has some poor, cheap plastic around the cockpit, like on the door sills and the dashboard buttons.

Driving the Fiat was awesome. I also drove a 2014 Lexus IS250 with paddle shifters this weekend, but that was something else... Anyway, Fiat! Right. So, the first thing I noticed was the loud engine note, the extremely touchy brakes, and the feeling of riding high up, almost like in an SUV. Pulling out of the dealer, I shifted into sport mode and sped away. The engine was absurd. I felt like I was driving an aggressive sports car, but boy, was I wrong. The Fiat's acceleration was sub-par, but it felt like Iwas speeding down the road at a high pace. Iwasn't actually until the turbo kicked in, and then I was actually speeding. Next thing I knew, I was flooring it at 80mph on a 40! I eased on the brakes to about 20mph, dropped the gear to 2 nd , floored it around the corner as I dropped lower to 1 st , leading the front wheels to lose complete grip, as well the rear. My tail was out, and the oversteer took over a bit, but as I shifted back to 2 nd gear, all control was back and I continued to floor it away, reaching the speed limit of 40mph within seconds.

Does the Fiat 500L provide adequate fun? Very much so. Although the Fiat is a bit large and a little too high up, it still supplies a sporty vehicle, which happens to have way to much space to put whatever you want in it. Perhaps a blow-up vehicle mattress for the adjustable reach bench in case you bring along a fine lady that you attracted with your stylish Italian Fiat 500L. Although it has its kinks, I recommend this vehicle to young families, teenagers, and college students alike looking for a fun, cute, sporty vehicle with virtually enough space to haul anything, including a keg, a subwoofer, some backpacks, a pair of skis with poles and boots, and of course, a blow-up mattress for those special nights, if you know what I am saying boys.

DISCUSSION (11)

Jonathan Harper > Justin Sabath
01/12/2015 at 00:16

turbo = speeding

I feel you

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Justin Sabath
01/12/2015 at 00:21

I highly doubt that a guy driving a 500L could get a lady to come with him on a "special night"

that said this was an amusing read. good job.

Justin Sabath > Jonathan Harper
01/12/2015 at 00:21

Haha this is true. I could be driving 25, and then the turbo kicks in and I'm at 60 quickly. I then ask myself how I got to that level of law breaking.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Justin Sabath
01/12/2015 at 00:21

Fiat 500 Pop driver here...avoid the L like the plague. If you are looking for a larger Fiat hold out for the 500x. Word is that it will be infinitely better than the L.

Justin Sabath > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
01/12/2015 at 00:25

Hey! You never know, and thanks

Makoyouidiot > Justin Sabath
01/12/2015 at 00:27

As a Fiat owner, I really don't like the L's looks...fingers crossed the 500X does it better, hopefully. It does drive nice tho.

fhrblig > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
01/12/2015 at 00:31

Are there problems with the 500L? I haven't heard.

DipodomysDeserti > Justin Sabath
01/12/2015 at 06:59

These things look like a 500 on Prednisone. The Beats by Dre is nice, but the door panels and speakers start buzzing after a year #becausefiat

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > fhrblig
01/12/2015 at 11:55

My friend at the dealership even told me he doesn't recommend people buy the L. There is an issue with the auto gearbox and I the syncros on the manual box as well. All well and good if you don't ever need to use 1st gear...and sometimes second. There are a couple of other things that I never liked about it, too..

The 500L had some bad history/mojo from the start. It is manufactured at Fiat's Kragujevac plant in Serbia , [5] previously the Zastava Automobiles factory. That is the same plant the infamous Yugo was made in, so you know quality is far, far from being Job#1 there. Bad mojo, really, really bad mojo.

And

Here's a second hand report of what Consumer Reports had to say about it. http://www.autoevolution.com/news/fiat-500l…

So as I said, hold out for the 500X, it's bound to be better in every way.

fhrblig > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
01/12/2015 at 13:34

I knew they were built in the Zastava plant, but I hadn't heard about the transmission. Interesting.

You have a manual 500, right? Have you had to deal with sub-zero temperatures? My clutch pedal started acting weird, but it's back to normal now.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > fhrblig
01/12/2015 at 13:38

Yes, an manual and no on the sub-zero. I'm in Southern California on the coast so that's not a thing I will encounter. Heat, on the other hand does worry me a little. So far, so good though.