2016 FIAT 500L Trekking

The 500L is Fiat's tall, boxy take on a small wagon, a roomier alternative to the 500 that still keeps that quirky Italian character. It's not quick off the line, but once you're moving it has enough pep for city driving, and the tall seating gives you a great view of the road. Inside, there's surprising space for four adults, and the rear seats fold flat easily to open up a big cargo area for its size. Reliability is a mixed bag, with some owners dealing with electrical gremlins and squeaky brakes, so a good warranty is worth having. The Trekking sits above the Easy and below the Lounge, adding rugged-looking body cladding and a slightly higher ride height for a more adventurous look. It uses the same 1.4L I4 as the rest of the lineup, making 165 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual that makes the most of the modest power around town. The Trekking's raised suspension gives it a slightly firmer ride than the standard 500L, which is the trade-off for that extra ground clearance.