If you've owned the retro-style Fiat 500 and subsequently had a family, or maybe always liked its styling but want a car with more space, then the 2014 Fiat 500L is probably the car for you.

It's also on sale next month from a starting price of $19,100, with four trim grades to choose from and a peppy 1.4-liter turbocharged engine as standard.

Whether you believe Fiat's assertion that the 500L builds on the appeal of its smaller sibling is open to opinion. We think it's a little ungainly, joining the MINI Countryman as evidence that a classic small car's cheeky lines can't always be scaled up.

It's certainly more practical though, which is all some customers need. There are four proper doors and a large tailgate, and interior space is much more generous than the regular 500's 76 cubic feet, at 120.1 cu.ft.

Under the hood is a 160-horsepower. 184 lb-ft 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged engine, such as you might find in the Fiat 500 Abarth.

Performance won't be quite as brisk in the 500L as in the Abarth, but you still get two transmission options--a six-speed manual, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Four trim grades are available--Pop, Easy, Trekking and Lounge.

Pop offers daytime running lights, 16-inch chrome-finished wheel covers, a trip computer, 60/40 split rear seats, a 5-inch touchscreen display and more, starting at $19,100. Spend $20,195 and you'll get an Easy model, which upgrades to 16-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear glass, a center armrest, a leather steering wheel, and a Fiat premium audio system with a 520-watt amplifier.

Trekking adds pseudo off-road styling, 17-inch alloy wheels, a painted instrument panel bezel, a two-tone brown and black interior and more, and starts at $21,195.

Topping the range is the $24,195 Lounge, with standard dual-clutch transmission, fog lamps, a vinyl-wrapped instrument panel, heated seats, dual-zone climate control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

All prices are quoted before an $800 destination charge.

On the top three models, for a limited time Fiat is offering its Premier Package for no extra charge. Worth $1,700, it adds park assist, a back-up camera, a 6.5-inch touchscreen display, voice operation for navigation, Bluetooth, and USB, Aux and SD card compatibility.

No official EPA figures for the 500L have yet been announced--but we'll let you know when they are.

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