Fiat 500L: A really big tiny car

Alas, all this cargo-swallowing capacity does come at a cost. In terms if sticker price, it's a relatively modest $2,000 to $3,000 more than a comparable Fiat 500. Fiat 500L prices start at about $19,000. The car I drove was a fully tricked out "Lounge" model coming in at about $27,000. In terms of fuel economy, it's about 3 miles per gallon worse than the regular 500 when equipped with an automatic transmission. The 500L gets 27 miles per gallon, according the the EPA, in combined city and highway driving.

With its eye-catching style and optional contrasting white roof, the car the 500L will most readily be compared to is the Mini Cooper Countryman, Mini's crossover SUV. So here's the bottom line. The Countryman feels sportier in the turns than the 500L and it offers about the same legroom for occupants but it has a lot less cargo space. Also, fuel economy is about the same, but the Fiat has a lower starting price.

Which would I pick? It's close, but I'd take the 500L for the same reason I like the littler 500 more than the Mini Cooper. The Mini is fun for a little while, when it comes to the long term, I prefer the Fiat's broad visibility and airy-feeling interior space.

It's cute, it's practical, it's fun enough and it lets me breathe. Give me the Fiat.

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