Road Test: Fiat 500L

I spent significant time recently with a couple of variants of the Fiat 500L and came away with a better appreciation of why the Italian carmaker is putting so much of its faith in the model, writes Brian Byrne.

Actually, the whole 500 thing is more than a model, it is heading towards being a sub-brand in its own right. Which might, or might not, be a good idea. But that's one for the suits in Turin to work out. For me it's to decide what the 500L itself is in terms of purpose and whether it achieves it.

If you know the little modern 500, then forget it as far as the 500L is concerned. Apart from a few style cue details, the L really has no connection with the city car. Take your choice, it's a compact MPV, wagon, or — next year — SUV. Or maybe it's a small car version in all of those. With any of the options we actually have a pretty decent family car in a number of flavours.

It certainly can't be mistaken for any other model or brand. There's a real distinctiveness about the shape. Maybe not exactly classic beauty. But nothing to put you off, either. And the practical parts are top drawer. (There we are, critique position already in play.)

Whether or not the shape and style attracts, there are other bits that do immediately. First, this feels a really strong car. Fittings, finish and fit are as good as you could ask for. There's a sense that in any of the versions I could drive it through an awful lot of grief-making conditions, such as the rutted roads state of the small town where I live (we're on a promise from the Council that this will be fixed in the first week of June. I'll keep you posted. Not that you care ...)

We have the specification designations, Pop, Pop Star, and Lounge. Maybe I'm too old to appreciate their meanings. There are the Trekking and Living derivatives, and the 7-seat MPW. The first and the last which I have spent decent time with. These I understand.

The Trekking was in a very bright yellow, which was strangely apt, I came to think. It's not a colour I expect to see a lot of, but it did seem right for an urban pseudo-warrior kind of customer. A colour that might have offended in some contexts. But not here.

The MPW is a little longer than the other 500Ls — you can see it in the rear side windows. The colour was less strenuous on the senses. And if you really try to get it, you might find it less nifty on the road. Though you might actually be imagining it.

This is a thing about the 500L. It doesn't drive like you'd expect this strange mix of frumpy/funky kind of car to be. There's plenty of punch from the diesel engines that powered the cars I drove here — available in 1.3 and 1.6 sizes. Fun it up through your favourite mountain road and it's not going to complain. Nor will you. Hey, it isn't a sports car, and if you think it should be, you're in the wrong seat, wrong car. But it doesn't slug and it doesn't flop.

Back to the MPW, there's a brace of extra seats. If you're adult and of my size, don't even try. If the parent of 10-year-olds, feel free, as long as you're not going to be seriously rear-ended. A potential issue for all of these 3-row compacts, and even larger, so don't hold it against this one. Most families are parents and maybe three kids, so the Trekker is fine and leaves luggage space and no temptation to carry more bodies. It also rides a little higher, and you get more rugged tyres and an electronic system to provide better traction in tougher conditions.

I'm one of a rare enough breed in Ireland just now. A Fiat fan. I have owned several in my time, none of which gave me any more grief than was common for any brand of their eras. All of which were at least competent, and at best gave me enjoyable and reliable motoring.

With the 500L making a completely different game play for Fiat, I'm rapidly coming to believe that the company actually has a viable strategy in the family car segment. It is built well, it drives very well, it feels right.

Most of all, it's a car that I would have no qualms about having my gorgeous grand-daughters in Australia, and my equally lovely baby grandsons in America, transported around in.

From €21,750 for the 900cc petrol TwinAir petrol engine. Diesels start at €22,650. Trekking from €24,000 and MPW from €23,550 petrol and up to €28,125 if you go all the way up to the 1.6 diesel and all the trimmings. Wherever, go the diesel.