Fiat 500L Trekking 1.6 MTJ II 105 CV, test drive (Engine, performance, handling and fuel consumption)

The 500 family is bringing the most joy to Fiat, above all the city car, which keeps selling well in every market. Derived from the 500, a MPV version called the Fiat 500L was launched, and now a more rugged version is available, which the Italian brand has named: Fiat 500L Trekking.

The idea is a good one, and few brands have it, it blends crossover styling with an improved ESP with specific programmes for grip on difficult terrain or snow (Traction +), similar to the Peugeot 2008 with Grip Control. If you are looking for an MPV with a different look and with technology that helps you get out of tricky situations in terms of traction (as well as having good M+S tyres), this Fiat 500L Trekking may interest you. Keep reading the test and we will tell you everything about the engine, performance and fuel consumption.

Engine and performance

The 500L Trekking is available with four engines, one 95 hp petrol and three diesels. In the diesel range there is the well-known 85 hp 1.3 MTJ II (too underpowered for this version) and the 1.6 Multijet II with two versions of 105 and 120 hp. We tested the middle version, enough to move this MPV and with reasonable consumption figures.

The engine is not known for its smoothness, it is somewhat noisy, but it stands out for its power delivery and how brisk it can be. As with the two-litre MTJ engine, it does not respond well at low revs; it starts to pull from around 1,800 rpm and stretches up to 3,500 rpm (in fact it delivers its 105 hp at 3,700 rpm).

It has a torque of 320 Nm, which is equivalent to what a two-litre diesel engine can offer, so we will not have any problems with pulling power. Of course, we will need to work the six-speed gearbox to get the most out of the engine.

It has the Start&Stop system, which can be switched off with a button on the dashboard.

Handling

Now that we know a little more about the engine and the Fiat 500L Trekking, we need to talk about how it drives. To do so, we sit down in a driving position that is slightly more upright than in a saloon, turn the key, and the engine starts.

The first thing to note is the diesel sound, typical of these engines. It is a car with greater ground clearance than the 500L, and the suspension is designed for maximum passenger comfort, meaning it is soft.

On uneven asphalt or dirt tracks, it is a comfortable car, but in terms of dynamism you notice the ground clearance and the softness of its suspension; it even has some inertia due to its size and height.

On the road it is comfortable, with good insulation despite its height and not especially aerodynamic design.

To venture off the tarmac, it comes as standard with 17-inch M+S tyres and the Traction+ system. This is a specific ESP that improves pulling away on low-grip surfaces: it brakes the wheel with no traction and sends torque to the other one so you can get away without problems.

We tested it on dirt tracks and earth surfaces and the response is correct. We would have liked to try it in snow, perhaps where this car can show its greatest versatility with the Traction+ system.

Fuel consumption

The Fiat 500L Trekking’s consumption on the motorway has hovered around 5.6 litres over our usual route. On country roads the figure can drop to 5 litres per 100 km if we drive carefully, while it normally sits around 5.5 litres per 100 km.

In town consumption is somewhat higher; on our usual route around Vigo, it recorded an average of 7 litres per 100 km, according to the on-board computer.

The consumption figures are not especially low but are reasonable for an MPV of this size and power. In the second part of the test we will analyse the very rugged exterior design and the interior of the Fiat 500L Trekking.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira