Fiat 500L MPW (2013 – 2018) Review
Fiat 500L MPW (2013 – 2018) At A Glance
Trying to make an MPV fun is not easy. The Fiat 500L MPW comes closer than many, as it channels some of the Fiat 500 city car’s style into a five-seat or seven-seat people carrier, although the over-inflated looks are an acquired taste. Leftfield rivals are thin on the ground, but the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso ticks that box. Others to consider are the Ford C-MAX and stablemate the Ford S-MAX, plus the solid Volkswagen Touran. Read on for our full Fiat 500L MPW review.
It was only a matter of time until Fiat cashed in on the success of the Fiat 500 with a range of larger models, in much the same way BMW did with the MINI Countryman.
The Fiat 500L is a larger people carrier model, but the biggest member of the family is this – the Fiat 500L MPW.
It’s a sort of halfway house between an estate car and a family MPV, so it ticks a similar box as the Fiat 500L, but is longer and has more interior space.
Five-seat and seven-seat versions are available, both of which come with a practical boot, plus some neat touches and Italian quirks, like the option of an in-built espresso machine.
The middle row is impressively spacious, with more than enough legroom for even the tallest adults.
Sadly the same can’t be said for the rearmost seats, which are really designed for children. As with most seven-seaters, these fold away when you don’t need them, leaving a usefully flat load floor.
The middle row is also mounted on runners, so you can adjust them to balance load space or legroom.
In addition, the boot floor can be set at three different heights, plus the middle row can be tumbled forward completely, making it one of the most versatile MPVs around.
This is illustrated by its capacity, as the Fiat 500L MPW has a maximum of 400 litres more load volume than the shorter Fiat 500L.
Fiat offered five engines, from the 900cc TwinAir petrol to the 1.6-litre MultiJet diesel.
The latter is really the best choice for those covering big mileages thanks to its useful torque and reasonable fuel economy. The petrols are better for shorter runs and offer enough performance for urban driving.
Regardless of engine choice, the Fiat 500L MPW is easy to get to grips with. It’s relaxed and easy to drive, offering a smooth and comfortable ride over most road surfaces.
Unfortunately it doesn’t offer the same nimbleness as the city car that donated its name, but as a family car it’s perfectly competent.
It may not be as well built or as flexible as the larger Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, nor does it offer the same value for money as the likes of a Ford Tourneo Connect.
However, for those used buyers who like the offbeat styling, the Fiat 500L MPW offers sufficient appeal to warrant serious consideration – but only if you really need the extra space over a regular Fiat 500L.
Fancy a second opinion? Read heycar's Fiat 500L review here.