Fiat 500 looks like a bigger and ballooned 500 which can seat 5. The quality of interiors is questionable still, but storage space inside is ample. The best part about it is its price tag. Despite having a less than average looks, the wagon offers a quality ride.
Fiat 500L comes with a quick shifting 6-speed automatic transmission that has been mounted on a 1.4 L turbo petrol engine that delivers 160 horses and a torque of 184 lb. ft. The Fiat 500L wagon gets a front-wheel-drive system. Unfortunately, there is no AWD option available.
Mini Cooper and Honda Civic Hatchback (LX) competes with the Fiat 500L. Pricing options for the 2020 incarnation of 500L start from $20,995. This makes the ride costlier than that of the Civic Hatchback (LX). Nonetheless, 2020 Fiat 500L outshines the competition in terms of most torque, spacious seating and voluminous cargo capacity.
The Fiat 500L is offered with a turbocharged engine that comes mated to a six-speed transmission. The pricing for the base the model starts at $21,750. The base engine has all the characteristics of a daily commuter. If you are looking to squeeze out more fun out of your 500L then you might be in for a disappointment. It is cozy and comfortable but not fast and furious.
2020 Fiat 500L Wagon front angle view
2020 Fiat 500L Wagon rear angle view
Features
6.8/10
There are a total of 3 trims available to choose for the 2020 Fiat 500L. The base trim is labelled Pop, then there is Trekking trim and Lounge is the high-end trim. Pricing options for the Pop trim start from $20,995, whereas Trekking trim comes with an opening bid of $22,995. Lounge trim is set with an initial price-tag of $23,695.
Trim
Pop
Trekking
Lounge
MSRP
$20,995
$22,995
$23,695
Key Features
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
Auto Off Projector Beam Halogen Daytime Running Lights Preference Setting Headlamps w/Delay-Off
Air conditioning with micron filter and Automatic
Power windows, front 1-touch down; power locks
Front Fog Lamps
Temperature Control (ATC)
Premium cloth bucket seats with passenger armrest
Radio: Uconnect 4 Nav w/7" Display
Alpine premium audio system
Rear cargo shelf panel
Rear spoiler (manual)
SiriusXM AM/FM/Satellite w/Seek-Scan, Clock, Speed Compensated Volume Control, Steering Wheel Controls, Voice Activation, Radio Data System and External Memory Control
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone
Rearview mirror with microphone
7 BeatsAudio Speakers
Bodyside mouldings with 500 logo
Retractable 3-position soft top (Cabrio)
Bluetooth Wireless Phone Connectivity
Bright belt moulding
Uconnect 5.0 multimedia centre with 5-inch touchscreen
Remote Keyless Entry w/Integrated Key Transmitter and Illuminated Entry
heated mirrors
radio featuring integrated voice command and Bluetooth streaming audio
Leather-faced seats
Fog lamps
SiriusXM satellite radio
Overhead passenger-assist handle
Heated front seats
Pricing options for Pop, Trekking and Lounge trims start from $20,995, $22,995 and $23,695, respectively. Standard features with the Pop trim are available in the Trekking trim plus some others. Same is true for Trekking and higher Lounge trim.
We Recommend
Trekking trim offers the most value for money. For an additional expense of $2k, you get a number of great features. The list includes front fog lamps and a 7-speaker audio system.
Engine and Performance
4.7/10
“Despite sharing its 160-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four with the hot-rod 500 Abarth, the 500L is sluggish at best; a six-speed automatic is standard, and front-wheel drive is the only setup.” –Car and Driver
Engine and Transmission
An intercooled turbo 1.4L provides power and torque to the 2020 Fiat 500L. The turbo engine produces 160 hp of power and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Hardtop 4 Door Cooper and Honda Civic Hatchback come with a 1.5L engine. Mini Cooper gets the least power of 134 hp while Honda Civic Hatchback has the most of 174 hp.
Ford Focus SE Hatchback offers the least torque of 146 lb.-ft. contrarily, Fiat 500L offers the most torque in the competition. Mini Cooper and Honda Civic Hatchback (LX) relies on a 6-speed manual transmission mode for gear-shifting.
Acceleration
Frankly, 2020 Fiat 500L has a super-sluggish acceleration. The ride takes 8 seconds for shooting to 60 MPH. This is the most time taken for doing so among its class rivals. Honda Civic Hatchback accelerates to 60 MPH in 7.5 seconds.
Models
Fiat 500L pop
Hardtop 4 Door Cooper
Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)
0-60 MPH
8.0 sec
7.7 sec
7.5 sec
Quarter mile
16.2 sec
NA
15.5 sec
Engine
1.4L
1.5L
1.5L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
7.1
5.5
5.4
For covering a quarter-mile, 2020 Fiat 500L takes 16.2 seconds. Honda Civic Hatchback is somewhat faster as it takes 15.5 seconds for the ride to traverse a quarter-mile.
Ride and Handling
The quality of ride with 2020 Fiat 500L is impressive on smooth roads. However, it falls off sharply with the more unevenness your experience on the road. While the handling of the ride is impressive, steering isn’t up to par to a well-weighted build.
In fact, a quick engagement with the ride can give an impression of a sports car until roughness is encountered. 2020 Fiat 500L gets a front-wheel-drive system. An all-wheel-drive can further smoothen the ride quality of 500L, provided if it was available. Yes, that’s unfortunately correct that Fiat 500L has no options for an AWD. For that, you need to look elsewhere.
Braking
Front brake and rear brake for the 2020 Fiat 500L measures 12 and 10.4 inches, respectively. This the most sizes in their respective category in the segment. Overall, the braking system is responsive in the Fiat 500L. In emergency braking scenarios, the ride takes 119 feet for stopping when decelerated from 60 MPH.
Model
Fiat 500L pop
Hardtop 4 Door Cooper
Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)
Brake Front (in.)
12.0
11.0
11.1
Brake Rear (in.)
10.4
10.2
10.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)
3,254
2,750
2,815
60-0 MPH (ft.)
119
116
115
Hardtop 4 Door Cooper comes to a full halt in 116 feet when decelerated continually from 60 MPH. However, it is the Honda Civic Hatchback that requires the least distance of 115 feet for achieving the same.
Fuel Economy
5.0/10
In cities, 2020 Fiat 500L offers a mileage of 22 mpg. The same on highways is 30 mpg. Overall, the ride offers a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. Unfortunately, this is the least that one can get into the competition. Ford Focus SE Hatchback offers an impressive 31 mpg. The ride is outshined by Hardtop 4 Door Cooper with a combined fuel economy of 32 mpg.
Model
Fiat 500L pop
Hardtop 4 Door Cooper
Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)
MPG (city)
22
28
30
MPG (highway)
30
37
39
MPG (combined)
25
32
33
Nonetheless, it is the Honda Civic Hatchback that offers the most combined fuel economy of 33 mpg in the segment. City and highways fuel economy for Honda Civic Hatchback is 30 and 39 mpg, respectively.
Interior
6.0/10
“But the 500L does have the advantage in interior space and versatility with a taller roof, huge windows, and excellent outward visibility.” –Car and Driver
Seating and Comfort
Like its class rivals, 2020 Fiat 500L is able to accommodate a total of 5 passengers. Headroom and legroom available in the front of the 500L are 40.7 and 40 inches, respectively. While headroom is the most, legroom is the least among the competition. Ford Focus SE Hatchback has the tightest front headroom of 38.3 inches. Honda Civic Hatchback, on the other hand, offers the most front legroom of 42.3 inches.
2020 Fiat 500L Wagon cockpit area
Model
Fiat 500L pop
Mini Cooper
Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
40.7/57.3/40
39.9/51.2/41.4
39.3/57.0/42.3
Second
(Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
38.7/54.6/36.7
37.5/49.6/32.3
37.4/55.0/36.0
Headroom and legroom available in the rear of the 2020 Fiat 500L are 38.7 and 36.7 inches, respectively. Both are the maximum available in the competition. Honda Civic Hatchback offers the least headroom of 37.4 inches in the back. Hardtop 4 Door Cooper, on the contrary, has the least rear legroom of 32.3 inches.
Infotainment System
The 2020 incarnation of the Fiat 500L comes with a 7-inch infotainment screen. If you don’t wish to use Uconnect via the touchscreen, you can also access it via the physical buttons. The infotainment system, however, doesn’t provide support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for making any ride enticing.
No matter whether you access the infotainment system via the physical buttons or touchscreen, it’s going to feel intuitive and user-friendly. There is an optional infotainment package available that adds a bigger touch display in addition to adding navigation function.
Interior Features
Seating capacity by the 2020 Fiat 500L is 5. Both front seats, as well as the rear seats, offer plenty of room. However, the front seats miss adequate support. Important interior features available at 2020 Fiat 500L’s disposal includes:
Spacious seating
LATCH connectors are available
Sleek cabin design
League-leading cargo capacity
Cargo Capacity
With rear seat up, 2020 Fiat 500L offers a cargo space of 22.4 cubic feet. This is better than the 13.1 cubic feet offered by the Hardtop 4 Door Cooper. Honda Civic Hatchback, nonetheless, offers the better cargo capacity of 25.7 cubic feet, respectively.
Model
Fiat 500L pop
Mini Cooper
Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)
Cargo Volume rear seat up (ft.3)
22.4
13.1
25.7
Cargo Volume rear seat folded (ft.3)
68.0
40.7
46.2
2020 Fiat 500L leads the pack with 68 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seat folded. Honda Civic Hatchback offers the 2nd best of the same in the league with 46.2 cubic feet. Hardtop 4 Door Cooper offers the least cargo space of 40.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.
“The 500L serves as the practical wagon in the diminutive Fiat lineup, but it appears more bloated than stylish.” –Car and Driver
Dimension and Weight
Fiat 500L has concise dimensions, leave for its height that is the most among its class rivals. Length, width and height for the 2020 avatar of the Fiat 500L are 167.3, 69.8 and 65.7 inches, respectively. Ford Focus SE Hatchback has the most height of 171.6 inches, while Hardtop 4 Door Cooper has the least of 157.4 inches. Cooper has also the least width of 68 inches while Ford Focus SE Hatchback has the most, 71.8 inches, of it.
2020 Fiat 500L Wagon
Model
Fiat 500L pop
Hardtop 4 Door Cooper
Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)
Curb weight (lbs.)
3,254
2,750
2,815
Length(in)
167.3
157.4
177.9
Width(in)
69.8
68.0
70.8
Height(in)
65.7
56.1
56.5
Ground clearance (in)
4.7
5.7
5.1
Wheelbase (in)
102.8
101.1
106.3
Track width (in) F/R
59.1/59.4
59.1/59.1
60.9/61.5
The 2020 incarnation of the Fiat 500L weighs 3254 lbs. All its rivals stay below the 3000 lbs. mark, however. Ford Focus SE Hatchback and Honda Civic Hatchback have curb weights of 2948 and 2815 lbs., respectively. But it is the Hardtop 4 Door Cooper that has the least curb weight of 2750 lbs. in the competition.
Exterior Features
2020 Fiat 500L looks great on the outside. There are some great features that make the ride look pretty. Important exterior feats to the exteriors of the Fiat 500L includes:
NHTSA ratings aren’t available for the 2020 Fiat 500L. The ride comes with average IIHS ratings, however. While front crash prevention isn’t available small overlap front driver side is rated “Poor.” Nonetheless, other parameters are given a “4-star” rating.
There are some safety and reliability features available with the 2020 Fiat 500L. ABS and driveline traction control are available as standard features. A backup camera is available also a standard reliability measure.
Safety Features
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Roll Stability Control (RSC)
ABS And Driveline Traction Control
Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Rear Center 3 Point and Pretensioners
ParkView Back-Up Camera
Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
Side Impact Beams
Competition
7.0/10
Hardtop 4 Door Cooper
With an opening bid of $21,950, Hardtop 4 Door Cooper is the most expensive ride in the segment. The ride features a 1.5L TwinPower Turbo 3-cylinder direct-injection engine. It is capable of producing 134 hp of power, lowest among the competition, and 162 lb.-ft. of torque. Unlike Fiat 500L, Hardtop 4 Door Cooper relies on a 6-speed manual mode for transmission. The ride shoots to 60 MPH in 7.7 seconds and has a CO2 emission value of 5.5.
Hardtop 4 Door Cooper
With a total curb weight of 2750 lbs., Hardtop 4 Door Cooper is the lightest ride amongst the competition. The ride delivers an excellent combined fuel economy of 32 mpg, 7 mpg more than that of the Fiat 500L. Size-wise, it is the most compact ride among its class rivals with the least length, width as well as height. Nonetheless, the ride offers the best ground clearance of 5.7 inches in the competition. It has the least-in-league wheelbase of 101.1 inches.
Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)
Yet another important competitor to the Fiat 500L is the Civic Hatchback (LX). It has a 1.5L I-4 DOHC 16-valve turbocharged engine complemented by a 6-speed manual transmission. The robust engine produces 174 hp of power, which is, in fact, the maximum power among its class rivals. Moreover, the turbocharged 1.5L engine generates an acceptable 167 lb.-ft. of torque. The ride covers a quarter-mile in 15.5 seconds and hits 60 MPH in 7.5 seconds.
Honda Civic Hatchback (LX)
The opening bid for the Honda Civic Hatchback (LX) is $19,700. This makes the ride least expensive among its class rivals. Honda Civic Hatchback leads the pack in terms of combined fuel economy. It offers an impressive mileage of 33 miles per gallon of gas. Ground clearance and wheelbase for the ride is 5.1 and 106.3 inches, respectively. Hatchback offers the best front legroom of 42.3 inches. Also, it offers 46.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the folded rear seat.
Final Verdict
All in all, 2020 Fiat 500L is an adequate car with ample seating and impressive cargo capacity. However, riding for long with the ride might not be a pleasing experience. Among its several selling points, the intuitive infotainment system outshines all. Frankly, there aren’t many great things to cheer for the 2020 Fiat 500L. However, it sure has a pocket-friendly price tag.
