It would be fair to state that, when asked for recommendations on the crossover front, the Fiat 500X does not always come to mind, which is actually quite sad. From a personal viewpoint, as a derivative of the significantly more compact 500 model, a vehicle that simply will not allow a 6’ 6” tall car tester to get even remotely comfortable (and by ‘remote’, I mean sitting in my lounge and not driving it all!), which is a genuinely popular wee car, I believe that it deserves greater recognition.
As already suggested, the 500X came about, when Chrysler-Jeep got into bed with Fiat Group. Using indefatigable Jeep underpinnings, despite styling more redolent of the baby Fiat, unlike the funkiness of the Renegade model, the package is immensely satisfying. From initial acquaintance, just pulling on the driver’s door handle to gain access, the 500X feels both durable and of high merchantable quality. You can tell a lot from door handles.
Once inside, it is unrelentingly Fiat, from its body-coloured ‘plank’ across the dashboard, to its tidy instrument binnacle ahead of the driver. An excellent range of adjustability for both driver’s seat and steering column ensures no compromises for a wide range of driver sizes. While the seating position is fairly lofty, there is still plenty of headroom. There is also space in the rear split-folding bench and a modest 350-litres of boot space (seats erected) that opens to 1,000-litres (seats folded forwards), more than adequate for most needs.
The levels of interior tactility are excellent, from the dashboard mouldings to the hide-wrapped seats, which are also very comfortable. The test car (with its convenient personal plate) is powered by the latest 1,332cc, four cylinder turbo-petrol engine that develops a zesty 148bhp, accompanied by just shy of 200lbs ft of torque that weighs-in from a lowly 1,850rpm and makes the 500X very drivable on all road types.
Driving through a six-speed, twin-clutch, automated-manual transmission, with paddle-shifters, the 500X makes easy meat of cross-country forays, the driver being able to flick up and down the gear ratios as required, to maintain surprisingly high average speeds. Fiats have always possessed sporting overtones and the 500X is no exception.
Yet, it can despatch the 0-60mph benchmark in a decent 8.8s, on its way to a stated top speed of 124mph. Driven with care, it can return in excess of its 37.7mpg, using the latest WLTP figures, while emitting 145g/km CO2. Its handling mix is a combination of sweetly weighted and quite direct steering, with firm but not uncomfortable suspension damping that also resists body roll. The suspension never crashes on nasty bumps and road surface imperfections and the 500X never feels less than composed, while also looking very characterful into the bargain.
