Road Test: Fiat 500L 0.9 TwinAir Lounge 5dr

Is this new Fiat 500L a cynical marketing ploy or a natural progression of an iconic car? Well, Fiat already has form here: back in 1956, it created the 600 Multipla, a people carrier based on a little hatchback (only it wasn’t a hatch because it was rear engined – but you get the picture). And as much as that car evolved the look of its host, so does this new 500L – smiling, non-threatening and slightly gawky. Big, too.

Although fiat’s new transporte persone shares a connection with the remix of that famous car that defined much of Italy’s post-war regeneration, it’s actually bigger. much bigger. Think C3 Picasso/Ford B-Max/ Vauxhall Meriva. It’s based on a widened and stretched Punto underneath, complete with bespoke suspension and electric power steering that’s purposely slightly dead along the straights to avoid too many corrective inputs. That alone should give some indication as to its driving style.

Sure, fiat told TopGear it worked mercilessly on limiting the roll angle, but something this tall cannot place a triumphant Italian boot on some vanquished law of physics. There’s noticeable body roll when you bung it at a corner enthusiastically, somewhat dissuading any attempts to hotfoot it.

But talking about how a car such as this handles is a peculiar exercise. After all, it isn’t a prime concern for buyers. Nevertheless, I can tell you that the ride was softly sprung and accommodating and the steering light enough to twirl around with one hand. It’s not completely devoid of communication, and for nipping around town, it works just fine. Coupled with the buzzy, fantastic, little TwinAir engine – by far the quickest and most characterful engine available – the 500L has a calm, headache-free ambience.

Inside, there are a possible 1,500 interior space configurations, epic amounts of rear headroom, 22 storage compartments, and the boot is more than capable of swallowing a varied assortment of children’s chattels. The dash lay-out is more Panda than 500, but it’s nice and chunky. There’s a lovely little 5in touchscreen that handles phone, stereo and car settings, while the audio software itself was engineered by Dr Dre’s Beats. And there’s a portable coffee machine built by Lavazza that slots into a deck. how Italian?

Fiat was at pains to persuade us that the minivan is the car of the future, and this 500L is the 500 all grown-up. At an unspecified point in the near future, the 500 ‘family’ will come to a conclusion with a Nissan Juke/Mini Countryman-rivalling crossover. In the meantime, one more thing to note: despite the fact this car makes sense to chic young mums wanting a touch of Italian flair, this car’s chief rival, the new Ford B-Max, is coming. And we’re tempted to suggest that car could be a better contender for your cash. Car firms are getting serious about this class – still think this is a cynical move by fiat?