Fiat 500L vs. Fiat 500X: which is better?
Read our guide as Fiat's 500L and 500X small car models face off on practicality, performance, style, and more
)
Struggling to pick between a used Fiat 500X vs. used Fiat 500L?
If you’re after a stylish model inspired by a true icon – the Fiat 500 – but you need more practicality, then you’ve come to the right place.
Be it a crossover, a people carrier or a model with seven seats, you’ll be able to find something here with that Fiat 500 charm without having to sacrifice practicality.
Fiat 500X vs. Fiat 500L: which has more style?
)
Both the Fiat 500X and the Fiat 500L showcase unique and distinctive styles but are still recognisable as being related to the iconic Fiat 500.
For example, while all three models have different front end and grille designs, they all share a similar headlight layout, which comprises a couple of circular modules for the full beams and daytime running lights.
The Fiat 500X is a small crossover that strikes a good balance between being an enlarged hatchback and providing substantially more practicality.
)
Though it’s meant to appeal to a more adventurous buyer, the reality is that crossovers are more popular in towns and cities, where they provide a better view of the road thanks to their raised ride height.
Because the 500X is aimed more at younger buyers and the style-conscious, it’s reasonably sporty-looking, especially in the dedicated Sport trim.
The Fiat 500L is a people carrier, or MPV, so takes on the form of a much boxier look. Still, look closely and you’ll find plenty of curves typical of the 500 family.
Its shape means it’s very practical, and you should have no problem fitting the entire family in it. There are even seven-seat versions, badged 500L MPW.
What is it like to drive a Fiat 500X vs. 500L?
)
Although they both share several mechanical parts, including engines, the driving experiences of the Fiat 500X and Fiat 500L are noticeably different because they’re intended for different purposes.
The 500L offers a more sedate and comfortable ride and is at home around town, where its light steering and soft suspension make light work of side streets.
Because it’s designed to be more engaging, the 500X has slightly firmer suspension, helping it to feel more agile and nimble.
Fiat stopped selling the 500L in early 2021, so it missed out on getting mild hybrid engine options. The engines it uses are slightly older, and therefore less efficient, but they’re far from being inefficient.
You can still get a new 500X for now, though the Fiat 600 is likely to indirectly replace it, so you can easily find newer models with mild hybrid engines that should be cheaper to run and tax.
There’s also the fact that a number of 500X models are available with a smooth-shifting DCT automatic transmission, which adds a lot to the comfort and ease of driving. The 500L’s automatic gearbox is less enjoyable.
What is the technology in the Fiat 500L and 500X?
)
Inside is where these cars become harder to differentiate, because they both take most of their inspiration from the little Fiat 500.
For example, they both come with body-coloured dashboards and a similar layout of physical buttons and a responsive touchscreen infotainment system.
They use the same ‘Uconnect’ system, which comes with all the kit you’d expect like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s worth checking each listing individually because earlier models may be less likely to have these types of smartphone connectivity options.
Depending on which version you have, it may get cruise control, a climate control panel that’s more advanced than the standard air-con option, and parking sensors that throw up a real-time illustration of how close you are to something on the dashboard.
Because the Fiat 500L is an earlier model and went off sale before the 500X, you’ll find that some versions have less equipment and that trim level names may differ.
Overall, the 500X has more to offer, especially if you’re looking at newer models, which might add a reversing camera and a digital instrument cluster.
Fiat 500L vs. 500X dimensions and boot space
)
If you need the space, then a Fiat 500L will make a lot of sense. The five-seater has a 400-litre boot, which is slightly more than you’d find in a typical family hatchback like a Volkswagen Golf.
The seven-seat 500L MPW has a 638-litre boot when the rearmost seats are folded down, and a 168-litre space with all seven seats in place. This is nearly as much as a Fiat 500 has.
Both versions also have plenty of smart features, like a multi-level boot with underfloor storage and a rear bench that can slide to prioritise either legroom or boot space.
The Fiat 500X has a smaller 350-litre boot, which is less than you’d find in other crossovers, but it’s still about the same as you’d get in many hatchbacks, so it’s far from impractical.
Despite its impressive storage space, the 500L is the smallest of the pair, at 4,147mm long, 2,018mm wide and 1,667mm tall.
The 500L MPW is longer, at 4,352mm, but no wider or taller.
The Fiat 500X sits in the middle, measuring 4,248mm long, 2,025mm wide and 1,600mm tall.
500L vs. 500X: which is more reliable?
Reliability mainly comes down to the parts used, and because Fiat uses many of the same parts – like engines – across the entire range, they’re already tried and tested.
Historically, Fiat has faced mixed and pretty average reviews in terms of reliability, but newer models vastly improve this.
Between 2014 and 2021, Fiat shared parts with Alfa Romeo and Jeep, helping to share costs and raise the standards.
In 2021, those companies were bought by another business, which now owns the likes of Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall, in turn giving Fiat even more credibility.
Because they’re so similar under the bonnet, there’s not a lot that separates how reliable these cars are.
Used Fiat 500X vs. used Fiat 500L: which should I buy?
For most buyers looking for a more practical version of the familiar Fiat 500, the 500X carries a lot of appeal. It’s stylish, affordable and generally better equipped.
If you’re after a practical people carrier but don’t fancy the extensive range of seven-seater SUVs that have been popping up in recent years, then a Fiat 500L is a good place to start your search.