2024 FIAT 500X

Pros

• Italy’s signature look
• Four-wheel drive is the norm.
• Thoughtful construction

Cons

• There is only a little room for people or things.
• Utilising a touch screen is tricky if it needs to be more significant.
• Expensive to initiate
• Many devices claim to improve your driving experience, but only the best ones deliver.

What exactly is the source of the 500X’s power? The four-cylinder engine is supercharged despite its diminutive size and performs admirably. In Invoice pricing testing, our 500X with all-wheel drive hit 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is respectable for a compact SUV. The automatic transmission shifts gears rapidly and efficiently using the engine’s low-rpm power during regular, everyday driving.

Despite Fiat’s claims, we didn’t find the 500X particularly sporty. The way it drove was typical for the category. Extreme lean is required to turn, and the tires have poor traction. If you want a sporty SUV, you’ll have to search elsewhere.

Just how cosy is the 500X? The quiet and comfortable ride is the 500X’s most notable feature. It’s quick for a compact SUV. In terms of comfort and support, the front seats are adequate. The seat backs were too high, and the back pillows were too firm.

The climate system is simple to operate. However, it may need to be more compelling on sweltering days. The 500X has effective soundproofing, but the inside technological systems are so noisy (with beeps, bongs, clicks, and warning sounds) that it’s impossible to relax within.

Can you describe the interior? The 500X trunk is quite convenient, which we appreciate. The large doors make entering and leaving a breeze. Large windows and strategically positioned side mirrors enhance the driver’s awareness of their surroundings. The front section of this class is spacious, but the rear seats are tight for anyone over 6 feet tall.

The 500X has user-friendly controls for the most part. The entertainment system is simple to operate. However, it takes a long time to reply. It was inconvenient to rely solely on the touchscreen controls to turn off the too-sensitive driver assistance features.

How reliable is the technology, exactly? The 500X tablet, despite being 7 inches in size, seems undersized and ordinary, even for a subcompact car. Though complete in every respect, its significant form factor may present difficulties for those with visual impairments. The upgraded audio system in our test vehicle lacked bass and low-end punch, rendering several songs inaudible.

The 500X’s three USB ports are more than its rivals, which is good news for your power-hungry guests. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, two smartphone interfaces, are supported via the industry-standard cable connection. Some of the many advanced driving aids available today are overly sensitive. Furthermore, warnings issued before such catastrophes are generally more alarming than helpful.

How about stowing it all away? The 500X’s rear trunk has a relatively small 14.1 cubic feet capacity, but it’s adequate for carrying groceries and other small stuff. You can fit more by folding down the rear seats. However, there is significantly greater storage capacity in the cabin. Water bottles of a specific size fit in the door pockets and the front dashboard’s two-tiered glovebox is well-utilised.

A rear-facing child safety seat must be installed such that it is flush with the back of the front seats. There needs to be more room for that. The car seat anchors are conveniently located, at least.

How efficient is its gas mileage? The 500X has a lower combined fuel economy rating from the EPA than its rivals. However, the test 500X achieved a respectable 29.2 mpg on our 115-mile route, proving that the EPA’s estimate is accurate for typical driving conditions.

Should one go ahead and get a 500X? The 500X cabin is sleek and modern. Even if the body-colour pieces are merely thin plastic, they still look excellent, and plenty of soft-touch materials are inside the car. The two most significant drawbacks are the minute’s hefty price and noisy extras. The way this car feels now couldn’t be farther from how things could be. Although Fiat’s 4-year/50,000-mile powertrain and bumper-to-bumper guarantees are longer than those of specific competitors, they fall short compared to other manufacturers.

At least the 500X stands out for its unique design. Among other compact SUVs, the little Fiat stands out thanks to its attractive Italian design both inside and out. Even if it’s not quite as entertaining to drive as Fiat claims, you’ll still feel like you’re having a good time. That’s the central idea.

We recommend the Pop Trim, which is the least expensive because the intermediate Trekking model is no longer on the market. It has a respectable set of standard equipment, and for not much additional money, you can upgrade to features usually reserved for the Sport trim by selecting the Comfort Group. Adaptive cruise control is only available on the highest-end Sport trim level when equipped with the Technology Group option.

Variants of the FIAT 500X

In 2023, the 500X will be available in Pop and Sports flavours. All variants are powered by the same 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque. It has a nine-speed automatic transmission that powers the standard all-wheel-drive system.