• Impressive all-round space on standard models
• Rear headroom severely reduced by panoramic glass roof
• Reasonable – yet not class-leading – amount of bootspace

Overall practicality levels on the Fiat 500L Urban are impressive – yet there’s one potentially major issue. Models which have the panoramic glass roof fitted (standard on Lounge trim) have far less headroom in the rear than those without. This isn’t a problem if you intend to seat only young children in the back, but anyone over 5ft 9in will find rear headroom at a premium.

It’s a shame as there’s otherwise plenty of space in the back with good levels of legroom and seats which are a decent width. You can also slide the second row of seats forward in order to create more room in the boot. This increases bootspace from 343 litres to 400 litres

And if this isn’t enough, the rear seats also fold down to increase total luggage capacity to a competitive 1,310 litres. There’s a split-level boot floor too, so valuables or loose items can be hidden from sight in a separate storage area located under the main compartment.

That cabin itself is dotted with lots of useful storage spaces, including two compartments and door storage bins big enough to take a 500ml bottle of water. There’s also a deep container located below the armrest and a well-sized phone tray big enough for mobile tablets.

Safety

• Expected five-star Euro NCAP crash rating
• Three ISOFIX points in total
• Optional Autonomous City Brake tech

The Fiat 500L achieved an impressive five-star safety rating when tested by Euro NCAP back in 2012 – so the largely identical Fiat 500L Urban should be just as safe. Adult occupant safety scored 94%, child occupant protection 78% and pedestrian safety 65%. The Fiat’s safety assist systems scored 71%.

Autonomous City Brake technology is an optional extra on the 500L Urban, and reduces the likelihood of an inner-city accident by automatically applying the brakes if it detects that a potential collision is imminent.

Other safety kit includes the usual suite of ABS, ESP and six airbags. There are also three Isofix points as standard – one for the passenger seat and two mounted on the outer rear seats.