The Fiat 500L does 26.3 mpg combined (23.3 city, 30.9 highway), which works out to about $1,460 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Fiat 500L engine, compared
The Fiat 500L was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl | 23.3 / 30.9 | 2014–2020 | $1,460 |
What that actually costs
The Fiat 500L burns a gallon every 26.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 456 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.122 |
| Fuel per year | $1,460 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,300 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$34 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,950 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Fiat 500L gives up 7.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 30.9 out there against 23.3 in town, a 33% drop worth $405 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 23.3 mpg | $1,648 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30.9 mpg | $1,243 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.6 mpg (33%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 500L changed over the years
The 500L peaked in 2016 at 28 mpg (25 city, 32 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2020 at 25 — 3 mpg apart, or $165 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2020 car does 25. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2019 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2018 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2017 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2016 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2015 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2014 | 25 / 32 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 7 EPA ratings of the Fiat 500L — 1 engine across 2014–2020. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,950. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Fiat 500L get?
26.3 mpg combined on average — 23.3 in the city and 30.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2014–2020.
How much does a Fiat 500L cost in fuel per year?
About $1,460 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,300 over five years, or 0.122 dollars a mile.
Which 500L engine is the most economical?
The 1.4L 4-cyl at 26.3 mpg.
Is the 500L good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world 500L figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Fiat 500L is $2,950 against the $1,460 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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