2018 Fiat 500L – Don’t get your hopes yet

Fiat decided to resurrect one of its legendary vehicles and in 2007 model 500 again saw the light of day. It leans heavily by its appearance on iconic predecessor which dated back all the way to 50’s, but the overall idea was different. New 500 was not intended to be something as Tato Nano or similar, as predecessor was tremendously small in dimensions and remarkably cheap. No, the new model had different ideas.

It perhaps borrowed some styling cues from the old days, but it wasn’t cheap, it wasn’t so small, and it was posh, contradicting the main idea from the past. It was here to rival Mini, though quite cheaper, and it became an instant success. Fiat exploited that and in 2012 500L MPV model was introduced and in 2014 500X crossover entered the game. MPV managed to push itself at the top of the minivan sales chart in Europe, while the US was not so kind to it and fresh 2018 Fiat 500L has been just caught wearing camouflage.
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mini22 - 2/21/2017 12:14:04 PM

+3 Boost

FCA continues to baffle me. The Fiat 500L is primarily the reason that Fiat as a whole has faired so poorly reliability wise in the USA. I would have thought that Fiat would have shared a platform with the upcoming Jeep Compass(which is nothing more a stretched 500X/Renegade platform and replaced this 500L built at the Warsaw Poland factory. At least Fiat could have offered AWD and offered extra room. I can only speak for myself. Having owned a Mini Cooper S and replaced it with a 500 Abarth and having replaced that with a 500X AWD I can give you my experience with Fiat ownership. That is not to say that other people would not have a better or worse experience with their Fiat ownership.
Regarding the 500 Abarth built in Mexico I can say that one thing went wrong in my 2 year ownership. A coolant tube clamp cracked causing a slow coolant leak. It was replaced under factory warranty. That was it. The car ran flawlessly, always started. I modded a bit, and also autocrossed it. The car still held up. The only reason I traded it in(which I now regret) was that I wanted something bigger with AWD that my wife could drive. She would not drive the Abarth.
Fiat 500X-Again 1 1/2 years into ownership. One issue-The front passenger seat track is not holding the seat tightly when the car is cold. It makes a rattling clumping noise when no one is sitting in the seat. As soon as the car warms up the noise dissipates although it does not completely go away. So far the dealer cannot replicate it so it continues to be a problem. Everything else about the car has been fine. Neither the 500 Abarth or 500X offer a locking glove box. The plastics on the Abarth were cheap but everything was screwed together well. The plastics in the 500X are of a better quality and the seats are more comfortable. The 9 speed transmission(that's on a lot of FCA products)seems to be smoother than when it was new. However it's still probably not as smooth as it should be. In both Fiats there seemed to be a lot of dust accumulation on the dash boards(certainly attributable to plastic used). Otherwise they are both fun good cars to drive.Nothing else has gone wrong.

TomM - 2/21/2017 5:25:48 PM

+3 Boost

As a Brand - Fiat had a negative impression coming back into the USA. Bringing in the 500 to compete with the Mini (made by BMW) for similar pricing was not going to cut it. Fiat would have to make a good reputation first - and then try to compete - but they did not. FCA as a rule also had a poor quality reputation today as well. Even if they ARE similar cars - FIAT simply cannot compete on perceived value. Add in that both of these cars are not in the size range that sell well in the USA - and neither are particularly economical on gas as well - and you get poor sales. Now with gas prices still quite low - small cars are at a great disadvantage. ANd FCA - by dropping them at Chrysler - has already admitted defeat.

MDarringer - 2/21/2017 7:32:22 PM

+1 Boost

Fiat's problem is that everything was a "500"

The 500 should be the 500.

They should then do a 128 sedan (Golf size) and a 128 crossover to replace the dismal selling 500X

Above that they should do a 131 (Prius fighter)

A new X1/9 would be delightful as well.

mini22 - 2/22/2017 10:43:52 AM

+2 Boost

At least Fiat has broken the mold out with the 124. Being built in Hiroshima Japan bodes well for reliability. Dream wish. That Fiat would expand the 124 line with a fastback coupe and longer wheelbase wagon(4D)all being RWD. Lovely! Mazda probably would not mind!