My first impression behind the wheel of the 2014 Fiat 500L is that I’m maneuvering a small bus.
Not for its size, but for the fact it’s A-pillars are split, with a sizable span of glass between. Regardless of the initial effect, the added vision and light are positives.
The new 500L, which began arriving in showrooms the past couple of weeks, expands Fiat’s presence in the U.S. It is 27 inches longer than the little 500, which went on sale two years ago. Even at the longer length (167 inches), the 500L is still 11 inches shorter than a Ford Focus.
It will compete with some other offbeat models, such as the Kia Soul, Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman and Scion xB.
The 500L is being offered in four trim levels, beginning with the Pop at a base price of $19,100, the Easy at $20,195, Trekking at $21,195 and Lounge at $24,195.
The Easy model delivered to me carried a sticker price of $25,545, including an easy-to-control navigation system, rearview camera, Beats audio, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats and power sunroof.
Included among standard items are speed control, variable intermittent windshield wipers, rear window wiper/washer/defroster, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, vehicle information center and tire service kit (it has no spare). It is equipped with airbags in front, front-side, side-curtain front and driver knee-bolster.
Work the throttle pedal with vigor and the little turbocharged engine will perform with pep, particularly in low-end tasks. It is a 1.4-liter multi-air turbo 4-cylinder, with an electro-hydraulic system that controls intake air cylinder-by-cylinder. It is rated at 160 horsepower and 184 lbs.-ft. torque and is mated to a 6-speed Euro twin-clutch transmission, which seemed slow in shift response at times. A 6-speed manual is available; expected within a few months will be a standard automatic transmission, as well.
I averaged 23.3 miles per gallon with the front-wheel-drive 500L; it should do better, with an EPA estimate of 24/33.
Bolstered front seats are comfortable. It is a bit awkward to reach in front of a center armrest, or around it, to engage a park brake handle which sits beneath it in the center console. Rear seats slide fore and aft and the seatbacks can be reclined. Headroom is limited in the rear seating area, due to the added thickness of the extended sunroof. Cargo space behind the rear seats is a generous 23 cubic feet.
The 500L is a relatively heavy 3,205 pounds on a wheelbase of 102.8 inches. Its narrow track is 59 inches in front and only 55 at the rear.
Bud Wells can be reached via e-mail at bwells@denverpost.com.
