Geneva motor show 2012: Top 10 cars - Fiat 500L

We tried, and failed, to get inside a Fiat 500L, because all of the show cars were locked. However, we’re still tempted to conclude that the more practical addition to the 500 range was one of the more impressive launches at Geneva.

That’s not to say the L retains all of the 500’s cute looks; there’s no way you could add 60cm to the length and 17cm to the height without creating an altogether larger-looking vehicle. However, Fiat’s designers have managed to keep enough of the exterior’s charm.

Better still, it looks like there’s more than enough of it still inside; the 500L’s fascia has the retro trendiness that’s made the 500 such a hit, mixed in with Panda-esque touches of practicality, such as a deep glovebox.

Pricing will be crucial, as always, and it’s frustrating that we’ll have to wait until 2013 to buy it. If Fiat gets its figures right, we can see the 500L being a popular choice for small, city-dwelling families who can’t quite fit into the regular 500.

Bentley EXP 9 F
Audi A3
Renault Zoe
Seat Toledo
Nissan Invitation
Mercedes A-Class
Ford Kuga
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Volvo V40

John McIlroy

See also: All Geneva motor show 2012 news