The Fiat 500L MPW has a funky look

AT first glance the new Fiat 500L MPW reminded me a bit of the Skoda Yeti or maybe the old Fiat Multipla; you may remember it, the one with the three front seats. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty, but I know a few people who did like it.

The 500L MPW is not as big and as awkward looking as the Multipla, but it does have a funky look to it.

Fiat may be doing well worldwide, but in this part of the world they are really struggling for sales.

However, the Italian company has done well with their Fiat 500 and now they seem to building on that success by introducing a Multi Purpose Wagon (MPW) version, which might be the one to boost Irish sales.

It’s a seven-seater, but most owners probably won’t have much use for the third row of small seats. If you do use all seven seats there is no luggage space, but no doubt small children will love the third row seats and the feeling that they are temporarily

‘out of the way’ of their parents.

Externally it certainly has a quirky look to it; the front is a bit like a Mini and the huge headlamps seem to be smiling at you as you approach. It certainly catches the eye in car parks and shopping centres and several people approached me to ask the same question:

‘what’s the name of that car you are driving?

When you sit in it’s so bright and cheerful, it would give you a lift on a dull Monday morning. The panoramic sun roof really brightens up the interior and with a high driving position you will appreciate the views around Ireland as the scenery is gradually turning green.

On the dash the controls are well laid out and easy to use. The dash is dominated by a neat five-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The front seats were not really comfortable on a long journey and I think they would be best suited to someone with a smaller posterior! There is also some fancy writing on the front and back seats which was difficult to make it out, but it does add to the funky look. I also liked the aircraft type handbrake.

It’s not the fastest car around and it will take you over 15 seconds to get from zero to 100km/h. If you are not using the third row of seats there is decent boot space. And there is a

‘mini’ spare wheel, but if you do get a puncture it’s definitely going to be a dirty job, as the spare is located underneath the car.

I drove a minimal grey version, but it’s available in seven different colours and there are nine bicolour combinations. You may have seen a green version in a television ad recently which featured a bridal party making a quick costume change en route to a wedding. The yellow Trekking version is also very popular. Prices start at

?¬23,550, while the 1.3 diesel version I drove will cost you

?¬25,550. Available in Pop Star and Lounge versions.

As a nation we are slow to change our attitudes to car manufacturers, but I couldn’t find any flaws in this unusual looking Fiat and if you are looking for a seven-seater city car, it’s definitely worth a test drive.