DecodedCarsFiat 500 L
5 model years from 2014 to 2018, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2014–2018
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Latest engines
- 1.4L 4-cyl turbo
- Best MPG
- 25–28 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2014 (158)
- Fewest problems
- 2018
- Interest
- 3,190 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2018 500 L in brief
The 2018 Fiat 500 L is a small station wagon offered with a 1.4L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 167 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,254 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 30 highway), 16% worse than the 2018 small station wagon average of 29.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,300 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
The Fiat 500 L has 5 model years in our data, from 2014 to 2018.
Its most efficient year was 2016 at 28 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 25 to 28 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the power train (120), engine (28), electrical system (23).
Buying used? 2018 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2015 is the year to avoid.
2014 has the most recalls (3); all years together count 4 campaigns and 184 owner complaints.
How the 2014 500 L compares
The 2014 Fiat 500 L is a small station wagon offered with a 1.4L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 167 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,254 lb.
About the Fiat 500 L
The Fiat 500L is a car which was manufactured by Fiat Serbia from 2012 to 2022 and marketed by Fiat globally. A five-door mini MPV based on a variant of the FCA Small Wide platform, it was initially only produced in a two-row, five-seater confugration, with a lengthened three-row, seven-seater version called the 500L Living introduced in 2013 for the European market. In 2017, the 500L received an intermediate facelift, with revised front and rear fascias along with In-car entertainment updates and interior revisions. By early 2018, production reached 500,000 units. The 500L was discontinued in the North American market after model year 2020.
From the Wikipedia article "Fiat 500L", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2018 500 L pros & cons
Full 2018 details →What's good
- Few owner complaints0 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 117 for similar models.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 25 MPG combined, 16% below the 2018 small station wagon average of 29.7 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Best and worst years to buy used
2018 500 L
0 owner complaints · 0 recalls
Year to avoid2015 500 L
23 owner complaints · 2 recalls
Most reported: Air Bags
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 4 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
500 L changes by model year
- 2017
- Best combined MPG down from 28 to 25
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 5 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 167.3 in | 3,254 lb | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 25 MPG | 167.3 in | 3,254 lb | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 167.3 in | 3,254 lb | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 167.3 in | 3,254 lb | Not rated | 2 | 23 |
| 2014 | 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 28 MPG | 167.3 in | 3,254 lb | Not rated | 3 | 158 |
Alternatives to the 2018 500 L
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Honda Fit | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2018 Honda HR-V | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
| 2018 Kia Niro | 50 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 238 mi | Not rated | 5 |
| 2018 Kia Soul | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 3 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Fiat. How we calculate this →