The perky, pretty, practical Fiat 500L

The Fiat 500 has grown into the 500L - but it hasn't lost its zest for life.

Before 500-fans throw their hands up in despair let me hasten to assure you that in the process of growing up the new 500L has retained much of the zesty DNA that made the little Fiat such a popular little tyke.

The small-but-big 500L may be 4.15m long, 1.78m wide and 1.66m high but it is as much fun to drive as an "ordinary" Fiat 500 except that it is much more sophisticated and can now carry five passengers and lots of cases and bags.

The most striking feature of the new 500L is its large panoramic sun roof (the largest in its category) which has a fitted electric sunblind which turns the living quarters into a great airy space at the flick of a switch.

Pricey, but you get your bang for your bucks

Like other new 500 versions in this country, the 500L is on the pricey side but when it comes to bang for bucks it streaks ahead of just about anything else in this class. Initially there will be three versions to choose from: two 1.4-litre petrol derivatives, Easy and Lounge and a 1.6 Lounge diesel flagship.

Feel like a touch of the sun?

Depending on which model you opt for expect to find goodies such as six airbags, ABS anti-lock braking system with Brake Assist, Cruise Control, Electric Brake Force Distributor EBD, Vehicle Dynamic Control, a space-saver spare wheel, a 5-inch touchscreen radio with Bluetooth (USB and voice controls), adjustable steering wheel, adjustable driver seat, power windows and mirrors, manual aircon or climate control, steering wheel controls for the audio system, hands-free phone function and voice control, power steering, floor mats, colour coded bumpers and door mirrors, daylight running lights, Hill Holder, Dynamic Steering Torque and lots more.

What impressed me during the recent media launch in the Western Cape was the family-friendly flexibility of the 500L's luggage area which, in Fiat-speak, is described as the Cargo Magic Space system. It's made up of a generous load compartment with a brace of pockets and hooks plus a boot floor which can be configured into three different heights. Simple to configure it has to be one of the most user-friendly luggage compartments in this category.

Charmed

On the media launch I drove both the 1.6 MultiJet diesel and the 1.4 electronic multipoint injection petrol models and although not a big fan of diesel engines, I was charmed by the zippy performance of the oil-burner's 77 kW/320Nm engine.

The living quarters, for which there's a wide range of goodies, depending on the model.

click to enlarge

It's fairly quick off the mark (particularly when you switch off the stop-start system) and it gallops gamely along as you zip through the soapy slick six-speed manual gearbox. Rather surprisingly it was also quieter than the petrol version.

By comparison the double overhead, 16-valve, petrol model's 70 kW/127Nm felt rather sleepy. Bearing in mind that the launch drive was at the coast and with only two adults on board, the going could become quite lethargic in traffic with five occupants and luggage in the energy-sapping thin air north of the Vaal.

Bling it on... or not

Both vehicles cruise smoothly and the ride is pleasantly balanced between comfort and cling and although there are larger wheels on offer as an option, the standard size suits the cars really well. Bigger choices could spice up the bling of the 500L but the ride is sure to become thumpier.

If the boot fits... In this case, the boot is very user-friendly.

Like the rest of the 500 pikkies the 500L holds the road with cocky confidence, even at fair nick through the bends. It also showed little signs of jitter as a howling South-Easter tried hard to unsettle our progress.

Two minor niggles though: on both versions the brakes felt overly sharp and the clutch, particularly on the diesel model, also tended to bite and it took a while getting used to. The fact that the vehicles were brand new might well have something to do with this.

Strangely enough there is not much difference in the top speed of the two models with the diesel claiming to be only 3 kilometres faster than the petrol version. The diesel's zero to 100km/h trot will take 11.3 seconds compared to the 1.4's 12.8 seconds.

Irritating - but you can turn it off

The diesel is equipped with a Stop-Start system which, mercifully, can be turned off. (A recent survey showed that this was one of the most irritating features of modern automobiles - and even many polar bear huggers don't like them!).

The increased length allows for a load of five in comfort.

The seats in the 500L are on the small side but actually quite comfortable and, typically Italian, they add to the smart looks of the cabin. The front passenger seat has a folding table backrest and the split rear seats can be moved forwards and backwards and can also be folded down to provide a longer flat load platform.

In line with the 500's playful character, owners have a range of optional extras including stripes, body colours, seat covers, alloys, key and mirror covers, roof bars a tow bar and other goodies with which to personalise their vehicles.

The 500L should have broad appeal

The suits at Fiat SA were hesitant to speculate on the number of sales they expect the 500L to rack up other than to say they were looking at total Fiat sales of about 1550 in 2014. The 500L doesn't really go up against any direct competitors but it's probably fair to compare it to the Citroen C3 (most expensive model R225,900), Kia Soul 1.6 automatic (R218,995) and Opel Meriva 1.4. (R253,800) which makes the Italian chariot seem expensive.

As a newly married couple, buy a 500. Then, as the family grows, stay in the family, and try the 500L.

The Fiat 1.4 Easy costs R232,990, the Lounge R247,990 and the 1.6 diesel Lounge R278,990. But, to balance the scales, the 500L out-smarts the opposition with its wide range of high specification features and it also offers an attractive price-inclusive three-year/100,000km warranty and maintenance plan.

Even though its price tag speaks big numbers, the stretched 500L is likely to appeal to a wide cross section, ranging from single professionals to young families and wise, older seekers of comfort, class and that special non so cosa for which the Italians are loved and respected.

Specifications

2014 FIAT 500L First Drive Review: The Cinquecento grows up

2014 Fiat 500L: Everything you Ever Wanted to Know

2013 Fiat 500L review - What Car?

New Fiat 500L 2013 - Which Car first drive