First Drives Of 2014 BMW M235i, Honda Civic & Fiat 500 (Part 2) - Fiat 500L MultiJet Beats Edition Urbanise

But what’s noticeable about this new estate on the UK’s challenging asphalt is the ride. This SR-spec model comes replete with Honda’s Adaptive Damper System, which functions just on the rear as the Japanese firm assumes that’s where the bulk of the suspension’s work takes place in a load lugger. The resulting ride is a revelation, the Civic seemingly flattening out the bumps and lumps of Britain’s road network. There are estates on the market that have better cabins, a better breadth of engine choices and which are more economical. But if practicality and sheer carrying capacity are what you need, then the Honda reigns supreme.

For the engine, 2014 Honda Civic Tourer will be offered with two engines, the I-VTEC petrol engine capacity of 1.8 liter and i-DTEC diesel engine capacity of 1.6 liters.

Fiat 500L MultiJet Beats Edition Urbanise

Better for its new engines, urbanesque styling and entertainment upgrades

A FIAT 500 crossover is due at year’s end, but until it’s here, the 500L Beats Edition is the closest thing that Fiat makes to a Mini Countryman Cooper SD. It’s the new flagship of the 500L range and should cost about $2,636.96 more than the jacked-up, ruggedised 500L trekking upon which it is based.

Fiat 500L Multi Jet Beats Edition Front View

The Beats Edition sports a choice of two-tone black and grey exterior colour schemes, a host of black bodywork tack-ons, dark 17-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers. The palette theme continues inside, where there are smart, firm and supportive seats finished in black fabric and faux leather. A mouthy seven-speaker, 520-watt sound system from Beats Audio justifies the car’s nameplate and there’s dual-zone climate control.

Four engines are offered: a 0.9-litre Twin Air and 1.6 Multi Jet turbo diesel four-pot (both 104bhp) and two 118bhp options (new to all 500Ls) in the form of a 1.4 T-Jet turbo four and a beefier version of the 1.6 Multi Jet.

Dashboard colours echo exterior trim

The 118bhp diesel is 0.6sec quicker to 62mph than the 104bhp version and feels it, pulling strongly from 2000rpm after a moment’s lag.

However, they are never hushed and sometimes plain loud. The $36,667.09 Countryman Cooper SD offers a sharper drive, but many will prefer the Fiat’s more relaxed gait.

The 110kg-lighter, slightly nimbler 1.4 T-Jet needs revs but is much more orderly. It should cost about $1,648.70 less and for many its middling 40.9mpg will be worth swallowing.