Fiat 500L Living: Practicality Takes Priority in Fiat’s Seven-Seater
Fiat’s 500L Living stretches the 500 formula into a compact MPV with seven seats, offering flexibility and practicality for families seeking space in a city-friendly package.
Fiat introduced the 500L Living in July 2013, expanding its 500 line-up with a seven-seat MPV aimed at families needing more space but unwilling to move up to a full-size people carrier. At 4.35 metres long, the Living is shorter than rivals like the Renault Grand Scenic and Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, yet it squeezes in two occasional seats in the boot, making it the most compact 5+2-seater in its class at launch.
The 500L Living shares its platform with the standard 500L but adds 20cm to the rear, creating enough space for a third row and a boot that can swallow up to 1584 litres with all seats folded. Fiat offered buyers a wide choice of personalisation, with 19 body colours, 11 two-tone combinations, six interior trims and a total of 282 possible combinations when factoring in wheels and hub caps.
Engines and on-road behaviour
At launch, the 500L Living was available with five engines: two petrols and three diesels. The 1.6-litre Multijet diesel, producing 105hp and 320Nm, was a popular choice, but the extra 120kg over the standard 500L made the seven-seater feel underpowered, especially with a full load. Fiat later addressed this by adding a 120hp version of the same engine, which improved drivability. The six-speed manual gearbox offers short ratios in the lower gears for better traction, while fifth and sixth are longer for motorway efficiency. Expect real-world fuel consumption to range from 4.6 litres/100km on the motorway (with minimal load) to around 7.5 litres/100km in city driving.
The 500L Living’s suspension prioritises comfort, with soft damping and light steering making it easy to manoeuvre in town. Body roll is pronounced if pushed through bends, but the car’s remit is family transport, not spirited driving. Brakes are strong for the class, and Fiat’s ERM (Electronic Rollover Mitigation) is fitted to help stabilise the car in extreme situations. Standard safety kit includes six airbags, ESP and Hill Holder, though the City Brake Control system was not available on the Living at launch, unlike on the 500L Trekking variant.
Interior space and practicality
Inside, the 500L Living feels larger than its exterior suggests. The second row slides to balance legroom and boot space, while the third row is best suited to children or occasional use. Fiat claims over 6,000 possible interior configurations, with 22 storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin. The driving position is upright, and visibility is good thanks to the expansive glass area. Build quality is solid for the segment, though some harder plastics are present. The Uconnect infotainment system, standard on higher trims, features TomTom navigation but suffers from a sluggish processor and a small five-inch screen. Lounge models add a reversing camera and park assist.
Practicality is the 500L Living’s strongest asset. The boot is deep and square, and with the third row folded, families get a generous five-seater with a large luggage area. The seats themselves are soft and comfortable for long journeys, though lateral support is limited. Only the driver gets an armrest, a quirk that may irritate front passengers on longer trips. Storage solutions are thoughtful, and the overall ambience is light and airy, helped by the large windows.
How it compares and who it suits
Compared to the Renault Grand Scenic and Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, the Fiat 500L Living is shorter and easier to park but less spacious in the third row. Its main appeal is to families who want the flexibility of seven seats without committing to a full-size MPV. The range of customisation options and the recognisable 500 styling may also attract buyers looking for something less anonymous than the usual people carrier choices.
For more on the 500L’s evolution, seeFiat 500L facelift claims 40 percent new components for 2018.
