High-roofed hatchbacks make perfect sense in the city, but it wasn't until the latest batch of imports that American drivers really took to the idea.
The Honda Fit is eminently sensible: as a Civic Wagon replacement, it works well, with lots of cargo room, "magic" rear seats, and good fuel economy.
We're also in the Kia Soul camp: its slightly campy looks map out great interior space, and the concept only gets refined as the Soul gets updated for 2014.
The Scion xB and Nissan Cube are less successful: the xB grew in its second generation, and it's now more like an ersatz Chrysler PT Cruiser than the JDM hottie adored by its fans at launch, while the Nissan Cube goes long on funky, and shorter on practicality--though nowhere else will you find a dash-mounted shag rug.
Finally, the 500L reminds us all, a lot, of the MINI Countryman, which can be much more expensive, with a stiffer ride, but substantially crisper steering and quicker acceleration, if it's ordered in turbocharged S form.
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 2014 FIAT 500LBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Kia SoulBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Nissan CubeBrowse Used Listings |  2014 MINI Cooper CountrymanBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Scion xBBrowse Used Listings |  2013 Honda FitBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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Tall wagons aren't a thing here, yet, but the 2014 Fiat 500L gives us one more reason to ask, why not? |
The 2014 Kia Soul doesn’t stray from its iconic profile, but it dons more sophistication inside and underneath—with fewer compromises and all in the name of city-friendly, tall-wagon goodness. |
The 2014 Nissan Cube is a boxy fashion statement that puts an emphasis on style, but at the expense of some practicality. |
The 2014 MINI Countryman puts the brand's fun-to-drive spirit into the body of a versatile compact crossover. |
The 2014 Scion xB might not be as trendy -- or sensible -- as it tries to be, but it fits a lot of cabin space into a compact footprint. |
If you're not turned off by the utilitarian look of the 2013 Honda Fit, you'll like what you get, which is awesome practicality and space-efficiency, plus some driving verve. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $19,195 | $14,900 | $16,900 | $22,100 | $16,970 | $15,425 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 24 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas I4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Small Station Wagon | Small Station Wagon | Small Station Wagon | Compact Cars | Small Station Wagon | Small Station Wagon |
| Style Name | |||||
| 5-Door HB Pop | 5-Door Wagon Manual Base | 5-Door Wagon Manual S | FWD 4-Door | 5-Door Wagon Manual (GS) | 5-Door HB Manual |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Hatchback | Hatchback | Wagon | Sport Utility | Wagon | Hatchback |
| Transmission | |||||
| Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2014 FIAT 500L vs. 2014 Kia Soul | 2014 FIAT 500L vs. 2014 Nissan Cube | 2014 FIAT 500L vs. 2014 MINI Cooper Countryman | 2014 FIAT 500L vs. 2014 Scion xB | 2014 FIAT 500L vs. 2013 Honda Fit | |
