Power Locks Power Mirrors Power Windows Automatic Fuel Efficient on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Fiat 500L gets a much needed update for 2018

The Fiat 500L is one of those love-it or hate-it vehicles. Fiat's largest US vehicle has been knocked for questionable styling, poor build quality, and reliability concerns. That's why the new mid-cycle refresh is so important, as the Fiat says 40-percent of the components on the 500L are all new. Styling is much more aggressive, and a new trim level promises some semblance of off-road readiness. The 500L still keeps the general not-quite-a crossover shape, but the front and rear fascias have been redone. The front is more upright, losing that slack-jawed look of the current model. The lower air intake and foglight surrounds are big and wide, with contrasting chrome and black plastic. The lighting is similar to the current model but has been updated with LED accents. Of course, the requisite Fiat badge and mustache are in place. It's a similar story out back. The 500L retains the same general shape, but it's a little more masculine and angular. There are new chrome accents on the bottom of the bumper along with new reverse and rear foglights (for Europe). There are 10 colors available for the 500L, with three options for the roof: body color, gloss black or white, or matte black. All in, Fiat says there are 37 color combinations. Like the exterior, changes to the interior are more refreshed than all-new. Up front, the biggest changes are to the steering wheel, instrument cluster and infotainment system. A speedometer and tachometer flank a 3.5-inch color display. Like the Fiat 500X, the 500L will have a multitude of menus and options to flip through. The infotainment has been updated with the latest version of FCA's excellent UConnect system. That means standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For Europe, there are three basic configurations: the five-passenger Cross, and optional seven-passenger Wagon, and Urban. There are various trim levels within each configuration, though the long-wheelbase seven-passenger versions are unlikely to make it to the US market. The big news is the Cross, which gets a 25mm lift, skid plates, unique front and rear bumpers, and new wheels and tires. While there are new drive modes, Fiat doesn't make any mention of all-wheel drive. Customers with the need can step up to the smaller but more traditional 500X. The 500L has been a slow seller here in the US. It's unclear when the new model will go on sale, but it's good to see Fiat breathing some life into a slim product line.

Fiat 500e EV starts rolling off the line for the American market

Unveiled in 2020, and announced for the American market in 2023, the electric Fiat 500e is headed to our shores. The first American-spec examples of the pocket-sized, retro-styled hatchback have rolled off the Mirafiori Assembly Plant located near the heart of Turin, Italy. At launch, the 500e range will include a single trim called (RED) Edition. It stands out with red-painted door mirror caps, LED headlights, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, and a red dashboard. While it's available in red, of course, buyers can also choose Tuxedo Black and Glacier White. It's reasonable to assume other trim levels will join the range later in the production run, but Fiat hasn't revealed its future plans yet. Although we haven't driven the American-market 500e yet, we took a spin in a European-spec model in 2023 and walked away impressed with the interior. It feels much nicer overall than the last-generation 500 (which retired from the American market in 2019 but remains available new in Europe), and it's packed with fun little design details such as the Turin skyline etched into the wireless charging pad's mat. Power for the 500e comes from a front-mounted electric motor linked to a 42-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The motor sends 118 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, and the battery holds enough electricity to deliver up to 149 miles of driving range. That's not much, but Fiat notes the 500e was developed for urban buyers and says the model can charge to 80% in 35 minutes. Alternatively, a full charge takes 4 hours and 15 minutes when using a Level 2 charger; that's an advantage of using a small battery. The first examples of the 2024 Fiat 500e are scheduled to reach our shores by the end of the first quarter of 2024, and the first batch of dealer-allocated cars sold out in less than a week, though a specific number hasn't been revealed. Pricing starts at $34,095 including a $1,595 destination charge and excluding incentives. Every 500e will come with a Level 2 charger or charging credits at public stations.

2014 Fiat 500L to start at $19,100*

We've already driven the decidedly weird-looking 500L in its European-spec form, and now the folks at Fiat have just released US-specific pricing, which means that our US media drive is coming up soon. If you want to get your hands on the biggest of the little Fiats, you'll need at least $19,100 (*plus $800 for destination).
That base price gets you the 500L Pop spec, powered by a 160-horsepower, 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine (the only powerplant on offer), mated to a six-speed manual transmission. This base model comes equipped with 16-inch chrome-plated wheel covers (sexy!) and the usual list of standard features that pretty much every new car comes with. (You know, air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, etc.) Next up in the range is the 500L Easy, which adds aluminum wheels, tinted rear glass, body-colored mirror caps, uplevel seat fabric and a premium audio system. The price of entry for this better-equipped model is $20,195.
Things start to get more interesting from there, with the rugged-ish 500L Trekking coming in at $21,195. Visually, the Trekking is set apart by its two-piece front and rear fascias with graphite inserts, fog lamps and 17-inch wheels. Finally, the range-topping 500L Lounge adds a dual-clutch six-speed transmission, unique 16-inch wheels, chrome exterior accents, heated leather seats, and more. That top-trim 500L starts at $24,195, and the Lounge, Trekking and Easy models are available with a no-cost Premier Package that includes goodies like rear park assist and a 6.5-inch touchscreen Uconnect infotainment interface. Be warned, though, this no-cost option will only be available during the first year of production.