Name: Fiat 500L (2013 – 2021) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Fiat 500L
Rating: 62.0

Summary

The Fiat 500L was a small MPV/estate car that was on sale in the UK from 2013 until 2021.

Despite the ‘500’ in its name and styling cues borrowed from the smaller Fiat 500, the 500L was actually based on the old Fiat Punto and shares very few components with the 500 – a bit like how the Mini Countryman is an entirely different car to the Mini hatch.

During its production life, the 500L was facelifted in 2017, with engine and trim changes. Diesel engines were dropped along the way as Fiat phased diesel motors out of all its models, with only petrol power available in its later years.

Like most of its rivals in the small MPV market (Ford B-Max, Vauxhall Meriva, etc.), the 500L lost popularity in favour of baby SUVs until eventually being discontinued.

The Fiat 500L received generally average to poor reviews from the UK media over the course of its life. It was rated highly for being distinctively different from anything else remotely close to its price tag, although the styling was quite divisive. It certainly lacked the cuteness of the smaller 500, although it traded that cuteness for much more interior space and practicality.

The Fiat 500L ended production in 2021, and now has a Used Car Expert Rating of C, with a score of 62%. It scores top marks for its low running costs, while it also gets good grades for its reliability record. But its CO₂ emissions are only average, which is disappointing for a small car, while its safety rating is long expired and its media review scores were poor.

More Fiat Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Small MPV
Engines: petrol
Price when new: From £18,045 on-road

Launched: Winter 2012/13
Last updated: Autumn 2018
Removed from sale: Autumn 2021

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Score: 7.6 / 10
“Purely on specification and quality, the latest Fiat 500X cannot overcome major rivals. But it beats them hands down for style, both inside and out.”
Read review

Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Fiat 500X is one of the more style-focused offerings in the small SUV/crossover class. It does a good job of extending the iconic design cues of the 500 city car into this segment. Not everyone will fall for the cutesy looks, but those who do will find it a practical lifestyle accessory.”
Read review

Model reviewed: Sport
Score: 7 / 10
“The Fiat 500X Sport is a welcome addition to the line-up. A largely style-focused upgrade, it hits its brief and offers the kind of cool BMW and Audi buyers have been lapping up for years.”
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Car

Score: 8 / 10
“Put it up against other style-led crossovers such as the Mini Countryman, Renault Captur, Citroën C3 Aircross and Peugeot 2008 and it makes a lot of sense. Nothing about the 500X’s looks is at the expense of its performance. It drives well, it’s usefully roomy, it looks after you and feels like it will put up with a good amount of abuse from kids and pets.”
Read review

Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Everything that made the original Fiat 500X an appealing, stylish and characterful crossover remains on this latest version. It faces some fierce competition, but the improved new engines and enhanced look are enough to make sure the 500X should still be on your crossover shortlist.”
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Model reviewed: Sport range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Fiat 500X Sport is an ideal model for those wanting a sporty-looking model but without the high running costs or impracticality, as despite its performance styling it remains spacious and easy to live with.”
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Carbuyer

Score: 5.8 / 10
“The Fiat 500X is a stylish and affordable compact SUV which is also great fun from behind the wheel.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Fiat 500X has chic styling and a choice of cheap-to-run and willing petrol engines, but alternatives feel more solidly put together, have more space and better infotainment systems.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“We like the Fiat 500X. It’s quirky and characterful, with a bold interior and feel-good factor by the bucket loads. Rivals might be better to drive and more practical, but the Fiat 500X represents very good value for money.”
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Honest John

Score: 8 / 10
“In our view, the 500X is one of the best Fiats to emerge in recent years. It’s easy to drive, fun and will return the same economy as a typical family hatchback. It has more than enough rival the likes of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, although those wanting all-wheel drive might be put off by the considerable hike in price.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Low-cost Italian SUV that doesn’t look like an SUV”
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The Sun

“The 500X is a small SUV; it’s what happens when your favourite Fiat 500 grows up.”
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The Sunday Times

Score: 6 / 10
“If you really want to say at parties you drive a 500, there’s a better plan. Buy a Skoda Yeti, then simply remove the badge and screw a Fiat logo to the boot instead.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual City Cross
Score: 6 / 10
“This isn’t the most polished of these diminutive SUVs; if space, practicality and safety are priorities, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. But these new engines have given the 500X a much-needed lift, and its big personality will be enough to convince many buyers.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“The 500X perfectly illustrates why the world is being taken over by crossovers.”
Read review

Score: 7 / 10
“Not the most utilitarian choice, but this is exactly what buyers want from a Fiat crossover.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2012
Date expired: January 2019
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 94%
Child protection: 78%
Vulnerable road users: 65%
Safety assist: 71%

Notes on safety rating

The Fiat 500L was awarded a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2012. However, this rating expired in January 2019 as the 500L no longer met the requirements for a five-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.

However, if you are comparing a used Fiat 500L to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Fiat 500L was not assessed by Green NCAP during the course of its production life.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

Total claims: 36
Average repair cost: £291.82
Last updated: April 2025

Reliability score

All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

As of April 2025 (our last data point), the Fiat 500L has a very good reliability score of 85%, according to extended warranty data provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our partners at MotorEasy.

The Fiat 500L also appears to be relatively inexpensive to repair when things go wrong, with an average repair cost of less than £300 to date. That’s good news if you already own a 500L or are considering buying a used one.

The most commonly reported problems with the 500L relate to its suspension systems, although the average repair bill is low at little more than £150. However, it’s worth noting that engine repairs are considerably more expensive.

If you’re looking at a used Fiat 500L, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of the potential problem areas shown above.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score
Petrol models	38 mpg	D

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	168 g/km	D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	11	A

The Fiat 500L has a mixed bag of scores, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any servicing cost data for the 500L due to its age, but most Fiat models are very good on servicing and maintenance costs.

The petrol engine in the 500L wasn’t very good for fuel consumption, especially for a relatively small car. Other alternatives are likely to cost you less in petrol bills each month.

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Fiat 500L, you might also be interested in these alternatives

The Fiat 500L doesn’t have many direct rivals, as most small MPV-style vehicles like the Ford B-Max, Vauxhall Meriva and Citroën C3 Picasso have disappeared from the marketplace in recent years. Most of the above are a similar sort of vehicle, although with quite a wide range of prices and specifications.