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2014 U.S.-Spec Fiat 500L

Turbocharged Italian transport for five sounds good in theory.

Maserati’s Quattroporte is about to lose its monopoly as the only Italian four-door in America. The challenge comes not from Lamborghini or Ferrari, but Fiat, which will launch the 500L next summer. A little economy hatchback will not, of course, pose any threat to the new Quattroporte—except maybe as a service loaner—but will compete with the Kia Soul, the Nissan Juke, the Scion xB, and the Mini Countryman.

From Serbia with Love

The 500L is the first model to be spun off from the Fiat 500, one of the few successes in the modern Fiat line. Just as BMW has built an entire small-car range from the Mini, Sergio Marchionne is pinning Fiat’s future on its ability to turn the 500 from a model into a sub-brand. Family resemblance? With the same happy-go-lucky headlights and grinning air intake, nobody would suspect that the 500 comes out of Mexico and Italy, while the 500L will be built in Serbia—in a new factory on the site where Fiat-based Yugos were once egested.

Love or hate the bubbly looks, there are nods to historic Fiat models in the 500L’s lines and detailing, particularly the 1950s 600 and Multipla. Without a comprehensive knowledge of Mad Men–era microcars, though, the throwbacks will be anonymous. It prompts one to wonder: Is retro is still retro if nobody knows what history it’s imitating?

It’s Still Small

Rather than use the new Compact U.S. Wide platform that Fiat and Chrysler co-developed for the Dodge Dart and future models, the 500L uses Small Wide architecture derived from the regular 500’s underpinnings. That gives the new front-wheel-drive car nearly six inches more width than the 500 and an extra two feet in length. In overall length, width, and wheelbase, the 500L is virtually identical to the Scion xB and nearly five inches longer than are the Kia Soul and the Mini Countryman.

Unable to lend its longer, wider platform, the Dart does donate a powertrain to the 500L: The 1.4-liter turbo four that’s optional in the Dart will be standard in the Fiat, making the same 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in both cars. Even with European roots, most 500L buyers will spec the optional six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission rather than the standard six-speed stick. The combo of the dual-clutch and the turbo four was a dud in our latest Dart test, but maybe another few months of fiddling can sort out the 500L.

Fiat can call the 500L a B-segment car or a subcompact all it wants, but when you get down to it, this is a vehicle with size, space, and power specs to match a Ford Focus.

A Function-Free Trekking Model

Joining a rich tradition of faux-wheel-drive vehicles, the 500L Trekking is mechanically identical to the normal 500L but shod in pretend off-roading décor. Ironically, even though the black lower-body cladding is hokey, the front fascia on the Trekking probably will appeal more to American consumers, accustomed to seeing SUVs on the road for 25 years. If nothing else, the Trekking’s front shows how goofy the underbite bumper looks on the normal 500L.

To the Options Sheet We Go

On page 53 of the Mini playbook, automakers are encouraged to offer car buyers the opportunity to spend the base MSRP over again in features and options. Fiat followed suit with the 500, and will wisely do the same for the 500L. A five-inch touch-screen media system is standard, while a 6.5-inch version is available for more money. Other options include a large dual-pane panoramic sunroof, a rearview camera, choice of a black or white roof, nine options for seat trim, and enough plastic decoration inside and out to intimidate even Donatella Versace.

Neither these options nor the 500L itself have prices yet, as sales won’t begin until midway through 2013. An MSRP in the vicinity of the 121-hp Mini Cooper Countryman’s $23,000 sticker is a safe bet, as Mr. Marchionne tries to position Fiat as a slightly cheaper, smaller Mini. It’s a pity; this 500L seemed so much better when we thought of it as a Quattroporte alternative.