2014 Fiat 500L drive review

The 2014 Fiat 500L has a 160-hp, 184 lb-ft four cylinder. Photo by Fiat.

In true Italian style, Fiat brought the drama to its 500L launch event in Baltimore this week. Not only did it provide a small monsoon during the presentation, barely allowing us to hear thickly Italian-accented public relations flacks, it also sent a tornado into BWI Airport, hoping to keep journalists there for another day of driving. Thankfully, during the on-road testing portion, it was all sun and sunroofs.

The 2014 Fiat 500L, which is on sale now, marks a big (pun intended) step for the brand that is hoping to steal sales from the utilitarian boxes in the $20K-$30K range. The company said that 80 percent of its conquest sales now come from C-segment or larger drivers. Apparently downsizing is the new black, especially in California, where Fiat does 20 percent of its American business.

The bulky 500L is 27 inches longer than the basic Fiat 500, as well as 6 inches wider and 6 inches taller. Fiat says it has the best interior volume in its class, which, after experiencing the glassy greenhouse, is easy to believe.

The 2014 Fiat 500L has a 160-hp, 184 lb-ft four cylinder. Photo by Fiat.

The car was designed from the interior outward, according to Fiat, simultaneously for the U.S. and European markets. The upper cabin is nearly all glass, including the bit in front of the A-pillars, which gives better visibility, but still looks a little funky to our eyes. We will admit that all the glass -- plus the giant, panoramic power-operated sunroof -- made the interior feel light and airy.

The steering wheel is styled to be circular on the outside, but contrasting materials give a square look on the inside. Radio controls similar to its Chrysler brethren sit on both the front and rear of the wheel. The six-speed gear shifter dwarfs the one found in the 500 by about the same amount that the L dwarfs the regular 500.

We aren't completely sold on the interior materials, which seem a little more Spartan than we'd like. The seats are made of a nylon-like material, while the lower portion of the dash uses a stone-look finish. It looks and feels cool, but we could imagine greasy fingerprints streaking the surface over the lifetime of the vehicle. We do appreciate the second row of seats, which fold down for extra utility.

2014 Fiat 500L trims include Pop, Easy, Trekking and Lounge

The 500L feels big inside. There is enough headroom for at least a point guard in the NBA, if not a small forward. Three average-size humans can easily sit in the back row. During the event, my driving partner also commented that her son's hockey bags would be no problem for the rear section, something she couldn't say about the 500. The Beats by Dre system is also impressively loud.

We're going to jump in now with price: Everything we're saying needs to be considered with the knowledge the base Pop model starts at $19,990, including destination. The Easy trim is $20,895, Trekking is $22,995 and the top Lounge model comes in at $24,995. With all boxes checked, the 500L will sticker for about $27,000. For comparison, the Mini Countryman, the 500L's natural competitor, starts at $22,000 and tops out at about $35K. As a bonus, for the first year of sales, Fiat is adding the Premium Package upgrade, a $1,745 value, for free. That includes Chrysler's excellent UConnect touchscreen, navigation, backup camera and backup sensors.

Curbside, the Fiat 500L does remind us of the Countryman, complete with a contrasting roof color, oblong headlights and fender flares -- at least on the Trekking model. It looks bulky, but not exactly muscular. The rounded edges and a floating center grille feel akin to a happy panda -- the animal, not the Fiat Panda -- though it looks a bit like that too.

The 2014 Fiat 500L has a 160-hp, 184 lb-ft four cylinder.

The only engine offered in the 500L is the 1.4-liter turbocharged four that currently sits in the Dodge Dart, making 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It provides good power in the 3,200-pound car but does suffer the same turbo lag. That means a rolling second gear start will take a bit longer than expected, though once cruising it feels like plenty of power.

We tested the Euro Twin Clutch version as well -- a $1,350 option -- and we feel that it was as good as its competitors, though we'll have to wait to see if it jives with American tastes. A standard six-speed automatic will be available later in the year. Before we forget, the auto-stick function is in the proper, up-is-downshift format.

On the curvy back roads of rural Maryland, the 500L felt light on its feet, but a little squishy. The Countryman we drove hugged the road better, but also crashed over bumps harder. The 500L uses an electric power-steering system, which takes some road feel out, but we didn't get to push the car too hard anyway since the roads were still soaked from recent thunderstorms. If your drive consists solely of curvy, rolling roads, the Countryman would be more fun. But in mixed driving, the Fiat is far more agreeable.

The 2014 Fiat 500L has a 160-hp, 184 lb-ft four cylinder.

The front MacPherson strut setup on the 500L is made by the pros at Koni, and it shows via a linear feel the majority of the time; the cylinders also include a blow-off valve that lets off pressure quickly over deep potholes and speed bumps. That helps provide a sporty-but-still-comfortable ride, according to Fiat.

We don't expect the Fiat 500L to come in like a Baltimore tornado and take the MPV market by storm. It also won't win any autocross events, though Fiat brass have hinted at an all-wheel-drive version. In its competitive set with the Countryman, Mazda 5 and Kia Soul, we like its chances. Buona fortuna!

2014 Fiat 500L

Base Price: $19,990

On Sale: Now

Drivetrain: 1.4-liter turbocharged I4; FWD, six-speed manual

Output: 160 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 184 lb-ft @ 2,500-4,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,203 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 25/33/38 mpg