Fiat 500L 2014: How Does the New Model Stack Up?

Fiat has released its new 500L for 2014, a larger model than the previous 500 model, and reviews have been mixed.

Fiat’s commercial for the 500L, which has garnered more than 100,000 views on YouTube, reveals little about the car's features. The commercial shows a Paul Revere-like character using a spyglass and shouting, “The British are coming! The British are coming! No, wait—it’s the Italians!” as a fleet of red 500L’s storm a dusty dirt road. During the "revolution" of the cars modernizing society, teacups are exchanged for espresso cups and women take off their Colonial costumes to reveal sexy 21st-century dresses as they rush to enter the cars.

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Edmunds says the 2014 Fiat 500L's design isn’t as stylish as the regular 500 model, but it offers more features, including a new entertainment system, a 5-inch touchscreen, a Bluetooth phone, audio streaming, and a text message reader.

Under the hood, the 2014 Fiat 500L has a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Fiat 500L comes with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automated version.

Jalopnik Review calls the 500L “equally cute and Euro-chic," referring to its smart car appearance.

Larger than the 500 model, the 2014 Fiat 500L “[has] considerable leverage by including families and outdoorsy types in its circle,” according to Motor Trend.

But will the 500L attract that demographic?

With 3 kids- I think I need to wait for the 500XL http://t.co/oIaGnIDC HT to @MetroEastFiat for the link. #FIAT phat

— Jason Wagner (@threefourteen) September 25, 2012

“The Fiat 500 is really only suitable for city living people with no children, or perhaps toddlers. Heck, trying to fit a child seat in one is near impossible," Reddit user seal_raider wrote. “Overall, I think that Fiat trying to expand their line makes sense. Doing it at the cost of an iconic tiny little model? I am not so sure about that one."



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