Introduction

Fiat's 500X is the more rugged-looking SUV relation to the Fiat 500. It replicates that car's cool image and strong sense of style in a package that remains affordable and offers no shortage of personalisation. Depending on your taste, it comes in two distinct versions called ‘City look’ and ‘Off-Road look’, with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, and there are all-wheel-drive versions, too. There’s enough space inside to suit family life, and the cabin is versatile. The 500X performs well on the road compared to its SUV rivals.

Did you know? The Fiat 500X shares much of its mechanicals with the equally stylish Jeep Renegade.

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Verdict: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (6.9/10)

Looking every inch the beefed up version of the cute Fiat 500 supermini, the 500X is a well-proportioned crossover that blends functionality and style to good success. While many will be used just for the daily commute, the rugged all-wheel-drive version is surprisingly capable off-road. There’s a choice of engines that should suit most people, but the petrol engines are better matched to the car’s characteristics. Dynamically it doesn’t rule the SUV roost, but it does have more kerbside appeal than most.

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Design & Exterior: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8/10)

If you’re just after an SUV for the elevated driving position, practical size, and all-important image, then the 500X City Look should pique your interest. All of the usual Fiat 500 style traits are there, like the friendly face, curvy roofline, and a varied selection of paint colours, while cladding around the wheel arches and sills add to its high-riding look.

If you’re the more adventurous type, then the 500X Off-Road Look model might be more appealing. This more rugged variant gets different styling around the front and rear bumpers and rides on larger wheels. It also features roof rails and underbody cladding to protect it should you decide to venture off the beaten track.  

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Interior & Comfort: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

While the 500X might be a more grown-up model, there is still plenty of influence from the Fiat 500 inside. Depending on specification grade there is a 5.0- or 6.5-inch colour touchscreen within easy reach, the multifunction steering wheel is chunky, and the controls are easy and intuitive to use. Three easy-to-read dials make up the instrument display, while the centre console is a simple design, with three central buttons in the middle for items including the hazard lights. The heating and ventilation controls are placed lower down and are large rotary dials that are easy to use unsighted. City Look models get the dashboard panel painted to match the exterior bodywork, so choose wisely. The seats are supportive, and the driver’s seat is height-adjustable on all models. In the back, there are average amounts of space, but taller passengers may find legroom less than generous over longer journeys. It is possible to add heated seats up front, but only as an option. Leather upholstery is also optional.

Practicality

At 350 litres the 500X’s boot isn’t enormous, but it does benefit from having a flat entry without a load lip, so getting heavier items in is easy. The rear seats split in a 60:40 configuration on all models. When these are folded forward boot capacity increases to 1,000 litres.

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Technology & Connectivity: ★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6/10)

The Pop Star and Cross trim level provide a five-inch touchscreen with DAB radio, satellite navigation, and a trifecta of connectivity in the form of Bluetooth, aux-in, and USB. While this all works fine, it is on the small size when trying to input information, for example. The Lounge and Cross Plus versions of the 500X get a larger 6.5-inch system that features similar specifications but is much easier to use. Pop, Pop Star, and Cross models use a 3.5-inch TFT monochrome screen in the instrument cluster that displays additional driving data, whereas Lounge and Cross Plus versions get a colour version of this display. If you really like your music Fiat can offer you an uprated stereo system by its technical partner, Beats Audio.

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Performance & Handling: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

One of the areas where the Fiat 500X shines is in how it drives on the road. The ride quality is good, providing the right balance of comfort and body control to give a more accurate drive. You can steer into a faster bend with confidence, and at higher speed on the motorway the Fiat feels stable and planted. Around town, the steering feels light and can be made even lighter at the touch of a button when parking.

Engine choice plays a big part in determining just how well the 500X drives. Being an SUV, its diesel engines may seem like the obvious choice, but these aren’t as refined as rival units. The larger 2.0-litre diesel engine is the best of the bunch and, if you go for the automatic transmission, the nine-speed gearbox slips between ratios smoothly.

Unless you plan on doing a lot of longer distance driving, it’s best to stick with the petrol options. The 140hp 1.4-litre petrol suits the 500X well, but if you find yourself hankering after more performance, there is a 170hp version available. Mid-level models upwards also get what Fiat calls a ‘mood selector’, which allows you to choose different driving modes including a Sport setting that sharpens up the throttle response.

Recommended engine: 1.4 MultiAir 140hp Automatic  

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Safety Features: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (6/10)

When it comes to safety systems in the 500X, Fiat fits the same to all models in the line-up. This includes stability control, brake assist, and electronic roll mitigation to reduce the risk of rolling over in the event of sudden direction change. Cruise control and a speed limiter also feature across the board, as do six airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

In the 2015 Euro NCAP test, the Fiat 500X scored four stars with solid results of 86- and 85 percent for adult and child occupant respectively. In the area of pedestrian protection, it scored 74 percent, while in the safety assist rating it earned a relatively poor 64 percent score.  

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Specs & Trim Levels: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

Colours

Much like the little 500, the 500X is available in a wide variety of colours. Art Grey, Passione Red, Cinema Black, and Ice White make up the four pastel hues available, but if you prefer metallic paint, the choices are Toscana Green, Argento Grey, Venezia Blue, Fashion Grey, and Magnetic Bronze, the last of which is also available in a matt metallic finish for considerably more money. Amore Red and Amalfi Yellow are available as Tricoat finishes, but these are expensive too. All of these colours can be found on both City Look and Off Road Look models.

Trim Levels

For the City Look 500X, there is a choice of three trim levels. It starts off with the Pop specification, which offers front and rear electric windows, air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, body coloured bumpers and door mirrors, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Pop Star version adds to it with front fog lights with cornering function, leather steering wheel, drive mood selector, and rear parking sensors. Inside it gets a five-inch colour touchscreen system with DAB radio and satellite navigation, as well as Bluetooth, aux-in and USB connectivity. Stylish 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic air conditioning also feature as standard at this level.

Moving up to Lounge specification adds more aesthetic features, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, bi-Xenon headlights, keyless entry and go, and a reconfigurable boot floor. Inside, the dashboard gets a larger 6.5-inch touchscreen with DAB radio, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, USB, and aux-in.

In the 500X Off-Road Look there are just two specification grades to choose from, Cross and Cross Plus. The Cross model gets all of the same equipment as the Pop Star specification, but adds rear tinted windows, a roof rack with a special All-Road finish, and unique 17-inch All-Road alloy wheels. Special All-Road front and rear bumpers add to the look, as does the interior matt grey dashboard finish and half-leather upholstery. It also gets 4x2 with Traction+ or a proper 4x4 transmission. Rounding off the range is the Cross Plus model, which matches the Lounge specification and adds unique All-Road 18-inch alloy wheels.

Size and Dimensions

Unlike the little Fiat 500, the 500X is quite a big car and can make others like the Mini 5-door look small. Most of its size is centred around its width, boosting elbow room for passengers, but it isn’t a particularly tall vehicle.

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Running Costs & Fuel Economy: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

When it comes to fuel economy, most of the engines in the line-up perform well, especially the 1.6-litre diesel, although there is a trade-off with refinement. On the combined cycle this can return a figure of 68.9mpg, while the automatic model manages almost the same at 65.7mpg.

The best-performing petrol engine with regard to fuel economy is the 1.4-litre, which is said to return 49.6mpg on the combined cycle and does so with the automatic transmission.

Reliability and Servicing

Many people still consider Fiat to be an unreliable brand, but according to the most recent JD Power Vehicle Dependability Study, Fiat was found to be above industry average, coming in just behind Mazda, Nissan and Toyota.

Servicing costs are reasonable in comparison to its competitors, and although Fiat does offer condition-based servicing, in general, diesel engines are due a service every 12 months or 12,000 miles, while petrol engines can be slightly sooner at 9,000 miles.  

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Pricing: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ (7/10)

With a starting price of just under £15,000 for the entry-grade 500X, Fiat has made this SUV accessible to a broad section of buyers. More than half of the range can be bought for under £20,000, but if you want to get your hands on a range-topping Off-Road Look Cross Plus model, you will need to part with more than £26,000.

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