Fiat 500X review

The Fiat 500X is one of the more style-focused offerings in the small SUV/crossover class. It does a good job of extending the iconic design cues of the 500 city car into this segment. Not everyone will fall for the cutesy looks, but those who do will find it a practical lifestyle accessory – even if Fiat no longer offers the more rugged 4x4 version.

With a chassis shared with the Jeep Renegade, the 500X’s dynamics and handling on the road are surprisingly sharp, while the latest petrol engines boost efficiency and performance. We’d go so far as to say the high-speed refinement is exemplary for a car in this class, making it a perfect small family car for the fashion-conscious buyer. 

With so many crossovers for sale in the UK, the Fiat 500X needs something special to help it stand out. And as its name suggests, that something is a retro look inspired by the evergreen Fiat 500 city car. But while the looks are similar, the 500X is a lot bigger, and it would suit somebody who likes the look of the 500, but needs a bit of added practicality.

• Fiat 500X vs SEAT Arona vs Renault Captur

Under the skin, the Fiat 500X shares running gear with the Jeep Renegade, while other rivals that offer similar space and upmarket appeal include the Mazda CX-3, MINI Countryman and Audi Q2. These cars are slightly larger than other rivals, such as the Peugeot 2008 and SEAT Arona.

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A comprehensive range update in 2018 saw Fiat drop the 500X diesels completely. There's no 4x4 version any more due to low sales, either, so all cars are front-wheel drive. The trim line-up now consists of Urban, Lounge, City Cross, Cross Plus and Sport.

As you might expect, there are subtle differences in the way Urban and Cross models look, with the latter getting chunkier bumpers, roof rails and extra body cladding to emphasise its faux-off-road appeal. The Urban models start at around £19,000, with the Lounge an extra £1,200. The flagship Sport model tops out at just over £25,000.

Petrol engines are fitted across the board, and the line-up features Fiat's new FireFly powerplants. In 2019, Fiat dropped the old 1.6 eTorq motor, and while that's no hardship in itself, it does mean the 500X's basic list price has risen by around £1,000.

Anyway, we'd always recommended skipping that most basic version, as the newer 1.0 and 1.3 turbocharged FireFly engines are more powerful yet also more efficient. The 1.0 is a three-cylinder turbo with 118bhp and a six-speed manual gearbox, while the 1.3 is a 148bhp four-cylinder with a six-speed DCT auto.

All trim levels can be specified with either engine, with the exception of the entry-level Urban, which is only available with the 1.0-litre unit. The 1.3 represents a price premium of around £2,500 over the 1.0-litre.

For an alternative review of the latest Fiat 500 X visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk