Against 529 other 4-cyl cars rated 2018–2020, the 500L trails their 27.1 mpg average by 2.1 mpg, about $119 a year.
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
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Kia Soul gets 30 mpg, the Subaru Impreza 31.7 mpg and the Honda Fit 36 mpg, next to 25 mpg for the 2020 500L. The 500L costs the most of them to run: $469 a year more than the Honda Fit.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2020) | $0.128 |
| Fuel per year | $1,536 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,680 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2018–2020 | +$119 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,950 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2020 Fiat 500L gives up 8 mpg in town: 30 on the highway against 22 in the city, $465 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2020) | 22 mpg | $1,745 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 30 mpg | $1,280 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (36%) | 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. The biggest single-year change came in 2017: 28 to 25 mpg.
| 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 2020 Fiat 500L get?
25 mpg combined, 22 city and 30 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2014 the 500L has averaged 26.3 mpg.
Is the 2020 500L more efficient than the 2019?
About the same: 25 against 25 mpg combined.
Which 500L year has the best gas mileage?
The 2016, at 28 mpg combined (25 city, 32 highway).
Does the 500L get better gas mileage than the Kia Soul?
No: 25 mpg for the 2020 500L against 30 for the 2021 Kia Soul, about $256 a year more to run.
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