There were 10 episodes of Peter Kay’s Car Share and, over the course of roughly five delightful hours Forever FM – the fictional radio station that entertained John and Kayleigh on their way to and from work in a Fiat 500L – played about 108 songs

I felt, therefore, that the only way to truly enjoy my week with the Italian firm’s chic MPV – albeit in rugged Cross trim – was to download the entire Forever FM soundtrack, sadly minus the ads, and play it on random and repeat.

It couldn’t be any worse to listening to local radio.

The 500L Cross shares a number of styling cues with its oversized sibling, the 500X. In practical terms that means that it has a more robust set of features designed to imbue it with a sense of go-anywhere ruggedness.

The Cross adds a satin finish to the Urban’s chrome trim across the front and sides and a different bumper designed to enhance its off-road credentials. Ride height has been increased by 25mm and Traction+ traction control system – which brings Fiat’s Gravity (hill descent) Control – is fitted as standard.

The Cross isn’t intended for off-roading, however, and it would be wise to think hard before tackling even a muddy track, given that the Cross, despite appearances, . What it does offer, of course, is improved safety and security when conditions on-road take a turn for the worse.

You can choose from a 1.4-litre petrol engine with 95hp, a 1.4-litre T-jet turbo producing 120hp, or two MultiJet diesels, a 1.3-litre with 95hp and a 1.6 with 120, with the latter of those two powering my test car.

It’s a decent engine, and a good fit for the 500L Cross. There’s a healthy slug of torque – 320Nm from 1,750rpm – that makes for a relaxed, refined driving experience. It takes 11.5 seconds to reach 62mph but it feels quite punchy in-gear.

The six-speed manual gearbox is slick, precise and positive and while the steering has a reasonably nice heft to it. Feedback is at a premium, but then buyers of this car are unlikely to be the kind of drivers who want to hustle it along. The brakes are decent, if a little sharp.

Apart from a degree of fidgeting at low speeds the ride is accommodating thanks to the soft suspension but there’s a significant amount of body roll as a consequence.

The high driving position gives a good view of the road. In fact, all-round visibility is excellent and the cabin feels spacious with acres of head and leg room as well as plenty of cubby holes and storage compartments.

However, while there are some stylish touches it would be nice if there was the option to add a dab of colour here and there, particularly given the 500’s position as a fashion must-have. It all just feels a little unexceptional.

The controls are chunky, easy to reach and use, and there’s a decent touchscreen multimedia system similar to what you’d find in the 500. The quality of the plastics is inconsistent, although generally those of a more questionable quality are kept out of reach. It does, however, feel robust enough to withstand the rough and tumble of family life.

Standard equipment includes 17in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, cruise control with speed limiter, leather steering and gear knob.

In addition my test car was fitted with the £300 City Pack – Parkview rear view camera, electrically foldable door mirrors with puddle lights – and the TomTom 3D Navigation upgrade (£250) plus Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity for another £150.

HiFi by Beats adds another £700 to the price and it’s the same again if you want the contrast roof.

The boot will hold a respectable 455 litres of whatever you choose to throw in there and the variable height floor – or Cargo magic space as Fiat likes to call it – offers an impressive degree of flexibility.

It’s a good shape too. The rear seats split and fold, freeing up an additional 1,025 litres of luggage capacity.

The 500L Cross is Fiat’s answer to a question that was probably never asked. It’s looks suggest a degree of off-road ability that it simply can'r deliver on, so if you're seeking something to tackle anything more than a dusty track look elsewhere.

However, if you like the looks and the prospect of driving something chic and colourful, then the 500L Cross is a comfortable and capacious family chariot. It’s practical, offers a degree of personalisation options as well as a decent choice of efficient and refined engines.

The driving experience may be a little benign and there’s very little fun to be found but it’s very unlikely keen drivers would be looking at the Cross as a potential purchase anyway.

Fiat 500L 1.6 MultiJet 120hp Cross

Price: £21,320

As tested: £24,020

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder diesel

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Max power: 120hp @ 3,750rpm

Max torque: 320Nm @ 1,750rpm

Max speed: 114mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 11.5sec

Urban: 57.6mpg

Extra urban: 70.6mpg

Combined: 65.7mpg

Emissions (CO2): 114g/km

For more information visit www.fiat.co.uk