I test drove a manual 4x2 latitude yesterday. A bit of background - I only drive manuals and tend to prefer sporty hatchbacks (I currently drive a GTI and a BMW wagon) and used to own a 2013 WRX wagon. I also used to own a Suzuki Vitara (Sidekick replacement) which was a 4 cylinder 4x4 manual. I've autocrossed someone else's Abarth 500.
The conclusions are that this is the best driving manual truck/SUV out there right now. It is not, however, a big hatchback Abarth. It feels like a truck. You sit far back from the front, the seating position is elevated, the handling is firm but truck-like, steering feel is just OK, turn-in is not precise. The shifter is exceptional - the best I've ever used in a truck. Clutch is light and very similar to the Abarth 500. The engine is a lot of fun - a little slow to spool but tons of fun in the 4,500 - 6,000 range. This is a great little motor. Never feels fast, but it is zippy and the general feeling is a mini-truck with a spunky engine and great shifter.
I should also mention that I really liked the interior design. To me, this is much, much more appealing than a Wrangler. I'd swap out the cheesy RPM graphics, but everything else is cool.
I think if you love manuals and are looking for a little trucklet that puts a smile on your face, then this is definitely the car for you. I decided against ordering one, but if I got a deal on a discounted mysky manual 4x4 I'd buy it without hesitation.
Also, Fiat is completely missing the boat by not turning this into a mini truck. They'd sell 50,000 of them next year if they sold it as a Dodge Ram 100 truck in a largely untapped small truck market.