The Fiat 500L has a lot of competition in the compact segment.
It's combination of quirky styling and versatility remind us of Mini's Countryman, but the 500L delivers a more compliant ride at a cheaper price, while the Countryman rewards drivers with better handling and turbocharged acceleration in S form.
Striking a similar profile is the Kia Soul, another tall-roof hatchback with great interior space.
If you don't need the upright greenhouse, the Honda Fit makes the most of its interior volume thanks to its trick Magic Seat system—and it returns solid fuel economy numbers, too.
The Scion iM is a five-door hatchback that doesn't excite the driver, but doesn't make any unforced errors, either.
Finally, the Hyundai Elantra GT is a straightforward five-door that aspires to European looks and handling, and makes it maybe three-quarters of the way down that road, though it lacks the polish of a Golf GTI.
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 2016 FIAT 500LBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Honda FitBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Kia SoulBrowse Used Listings |  2016 MINI Cooper CountrymanBrowse Used Listings |  2016 Scion iMBrowse Used Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Specs | ||||
The 2016 Fiat 500L has hatchback utility down pat, but its styling is quirky and performance is average, at best. |
The 2016 Honda Fit isn't as entertaining to drive as it once was, but it's unmatched in safety and space, thanks to the Magic Seat. |
The affordable, practical 2016 Kia Soul has a boxy style that fits right into urban environments, yet fits a lot inside. |
The 2016 Mini Counryman retains a fair amount of the Mini character and fun-to-drive spirit, but a growing crop of small crossovers give it more competition than ever. |
The 2016 Scion iM looks the part of the youth-oriented sporty hatchback, but doesn't drive the part. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $19,495 | $15,890 | $15,900 | $22,750 | $18,460 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 22 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 41 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 27 MPG City / 37 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 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| Small Station Wagon | Small Station Wagon | Small Station Wagon | Compact Cars | Mid-Size Cars |
| Style Name | ||||
| 5-Door HB Pop | 5-Door HB Manual LX | 5-Door Wagon Manual Base | FWD 4-Door | 5-Door HB Manual (GS) |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback | Sport Utility | Hatchback |
| Transmission | ||||
| Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2016 FIAT 500L vs. 2016 Honda Fit | 2016 FIAT 500L vs. 2016 Kia Soul | 2016 FIAT 500L vs. 2016 MINI Cooper Countryman | 2016 FIAT 500L vs. 2016 Scion iM | |
