Fiat 500X (2015) Review

October 2014

Fiat 500X unveiled

The Fiat 500X is available with a broad range of engines and transmissions, including a new nine-speed automatic transmission.

The 500X has been engineered to strike the optimal balance of handling and comfort that the segment demands, while the latest active safety systems are available to assist the driver, including front headlights with DRLs; front fog lights with adaptive cornering; sophisticated ESC (Electronic Stability Control); Lane Assist (lane departure warning system) and Blind Spot Assist (lane change assistance system). A ParkView reversing camera is also available in the new 500X, as is the "Brake Control" assisted braking system.

Even the driving experience can be personalised and adapted, depending on how the new FIAT 500X is being driven and the prevailing driving conditions. The "Drive Mood Selector" has three different modes for engine, brakes, steering and gearbox/transmission settings: “Auto” offers the best compromise in terms of comfort, consumption and CO2emissions while “Sport” reconfigures the 500X for better performance and more spirited handling. “All Weather” adjusts the vehicle settings for maximum safety even in low grip conditions.

On the more rugged version of the 500X, “All Weather” mode is replaced by the “Traction” function, which speeds up the transmission of torque to the rear axle on four-wheel drive versions or activates the “Traction Plus” control system on front wheel drive versions, the latter offering an ideal solution to drivers who only encounter extreme low-traction situations occasionally, thereby avoiding the additional costs and slight emissions increase associated with a conventional four-wheel drive system.

The engine range of the new 500X comprises four petrol engines and three diesels: Front-wheel drive, petrol-powered models are either equipped with a 110PS, 1.6-litre engine with a five-speed manual gearbox or a 140PS, 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir II petrol engine with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed twin-clutch transmission. All-wheel drive petrol models, which are equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission as standard, are powered either by a 170PS, 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir II engine or the 184PS, 2.4-litre Tigershark engine.

The front-wheel drive diesel range consists of the 95PS, 1.3-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel, equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox and the 120PS 1.6-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. The four-wheel drive diesel option is the 140PS, 2.0-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel, which will be available with a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission. All engine and transmission versions will be offered in the UK, with the exception of the 2.4-litre Tigershark unit.

Designed in the Centro Stile, the new 500X is compact on the outside – measuring 4.25 metres in length, 1.80 metres in width and 1.60 metres in height (1.61 with roof bars, 1.62 with 4WD) – while spacious and inviting on the inside, with extensive use of high-grade materials, top-quality finishes and practical storage compartments – including a spacious 350 litre luggage compartment. The seats adjust to offer a high degree of flexibility and seven different interior fabric, leather and colour configurations are available, depending on the model and exterior colour.

A new Uconnect Live system also allows customers – through integration with their smartphones – to use many apps on the on-board system so that they can always be in contact with their friends on Facebook and Twitter; listen to millions of music tracks on Deezer and more than 100,000 radio stations with TuneIn; get real-time news updates from Reuters and get the latest traffic, safety camera and weather information from the TomTom Live service.

January 2018

Fiat 500X Mirror launched

Comes with UconnectTMLINK technology which is Apple CarPlay-ready and compatible with Android AutoTM as standard.

Available for the first time on a Fiat model, Mopar Connect combines remote assistance services and control functions in one app, to guarantee peace of mind when on the road and away from the car.

The Fiat 500X Mirror builds on the Pop Star trim but comes with satin chrome details, “Mirror” badge on the pillar, 17-inch matte black alloy wheels and xenon headlights. Blue Jeans matte paint is available as an exclusive option on 500X Mirror along with satin chrome roofbars . As standard, the exclusive matte Blue Jeans colour extends to the dashboard fascia and seat upholstery, with blue stitching accents. The 500X Mirror is available with the 1.6 E-Torq 110PS petrol and 1.4 MultiAir 140PS petrol engine, also available with DCT.

February 2018

Fiat 500X updated for 2018

The Fiat 500X Model Year 2018 offers next-generation Uconnect with 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen, from the Pop Star trim level up, and offers Apple CarPlay and Android AutoTM as standard for a smarter, safer way to use your phone in the car. The system offers key features including Bluetooth interface with hands-free system, audio streaming, text message reader and voice recognition.

The Uconnect system is now also available with Apple CarPlay to integrate the iPhone with the display and native controls of the car, allowing the driver to make calls, play music, send and receive messages, get directions optimised for traffic conditions and much more.

The simplified 500X range is now available in three trim levels, combined with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines. The comprehensive standard equipment levels can be boosted with the addition of a number of packs, such as the Cold Weather pack, which comes with a heated steering wheel, heated front seats and heated wiper area, or the City pack to add electrically folding and heated door mirrors and rear parking camera. Marching Green paint is now available exclusively on Cross Plus models.

The 500X is available to order now priced from £15,550 OTR for the 500X Pop 1.6 E-Torq 110hp petrol.

August 2018

Fiat 500X revamped with new look

Updated inside and out with new looks and technology. Available with a choice of three trim levels, Urban, City Cross and Cross, three petrol engines, including two new, more efficient turbo petrol engines, and a host of safety assistance systems as standard across the range. The new 500X is on sale now priced from £16,995 OTR.

New daytime running lights and LED rear light clusters are standard across the range, bring it even closer to the look of the rest of the 500 family. Standard on the Cross Plus, and optionally available on other trims, are the new LED headlights, made in partnership with Magneti Marelli.

The new 'Urban' look features an all-new front and rear bumper design to make tackling city traffic chic, while the new Cross look adds new-look protective skid plates for taking on adventures.

The completely restyled cockpit features a new instrument cluster, with graphics that are now even easier to read, together with a new steering wheel which is contoured to ensure better positioning of the driver's hands, provides perfect grip in Techno-leather upholstery and includes integrated radio controls.

The new front-wheel drive turbo petrol engine line-up includes a three-cylinder 1.0-litre powerplant that delivers 120hp and 190Nm of torque and is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, as well as a four-cylinder 1.3-litre engine with 150hp and 270Nm of torque, in this case combined with six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

The range of petrol engines in the new Fiat 500X is completed by the entry level 110hp 1.6 E-Torq, combined with manual transmission and front-wheel drive, which is now upgraded to meet the Euro 6D pollution reduction standard and now features Start & Stop as standard.

This next-generation UconnectTM system comes complete with high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth hands-free interface, audio streaming, text reader and voice recognition function, Aux and USB ports with iPod integration and controls on the steering wheel, all as standard.

The new Fiat 500X is available with a choice of three trim levels, Urban, City Cross and Cross, and three petrol engines. Customers will have a choice of 14 different colours, including the new tricoat Ivory, metallic Blue Italia and Techno Green. A choice of 17 and 18-inch wheels and seven interior configurations will allow customers to make the Fiat 500X their own.

In Urban trim level, the Fiat 500X come with a comprehensive standard equipment list including LED DRL and rear lights, 16-inch alloy wheels, Techno-leather steering wheel, new instrument panel with 7-inch Uconnect with Apple Car Play and Android Auto and double USB port, manual air conditioning, Cruise Control, electric parking brake and 60/40 split rear seat. The standard equipment is completed by the new Traffic Sign Recognition and Speed Advisor driving assist systems, as well as Lane Assist system, 6 airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

The City Cross version builds on the Urban trim adding the off-road look, enhanced by 17-inch alloy wheels, satin chrome inserts and body-coloured door mirrors. Front fog lights, 3.5-inch colour TFT monitor, automatic climate control and rear parking sensors complete the trim. The top-of-the-range Cross Plus version adds LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, roof bars and dark tinted rear windows. Inside, it adds TomTom navigation to the 7-inch touchscreen, along with Parkview rear parking camera, dusk sensor and front armrest.

September 2019

Fiat 500X Sport priced from £22,500

The new Fiat 500X Sport joins the 500X Urban family with more aggressively sporty styling and greater performance. The combination of a tuned suspension settings, lowered ride height, steering system calibration and 19-inch wheels with high-performance tyres leads to improved agility and greater driving pleasure, claims Fiat.

The new 500X Sport features tuned suspension with a 13mm reduction in ride height and can be specified with optional 19-inch alloy wheels with performance tyres and black finishing. This results in a more aggressive car, with better ground adherence and dynamism.

The 500X Sport with 1.3 FireFly Turbo 150PS petrol engine, with DCT automatic transmission, also uses Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) on the front and rear suspension and adjusted shock absorbers to offer greater road holding without compromising comfort. The steering system calibration has also been adjusted to return more precise and reactive feedback to the driver.

When combined with the optional 19-inch alloy wheels, the 500X Sport 1.3 FireFly 150PS DCT generates an eight percent increase in lateral acceleration, translating into a significant improvement in road holding and a substantial increase in active safety. The new suspension tuning enhances responsiveness at curve entry, reducing understeer by 26 percent, and oversteer, in extreme conditions, by 17 percent.

The new Sport model asserts its credentials with a host of exterior styling cues including body coloured side skirts and wheel arches, diffuser-style rear bumper, dual chrome exhaust and the full LED headlights and fog lamps. While specific 18-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard, 19-inch alloy wheels with performance tyres and gloss black hubcap are available as an option.

Sport Red pastel paint is available exclusively on the Sport model, while titanium grey details on the handles, front bumper inserts, front moulding, mirror caps and a Myron "500" logo on the boot-lid. In addition to the exclusive Sport Red pastel paint, other colour options include Ice White, Cinema Black, Fashion Grey and Italia Blue, all of which can be combined with a black roof for a two-tone exterior.

The sporty style of the exterior continues inside with an aluminium gear-knob, techno-leather flat based sports steering wheel with Alcantara inserts. Titanium grey dashboard, red elements on the instrument panel and specific TFT graphics, and Myron details finished with red stitching. The standard Alcantara upholstered steering wheel and the instrument panel cover provide a touch of sporting elegance, unique in this segment. Exclusive new black fabric with techno-leather upholstery, with a grey “500” logo on the seats, a Myron steering wheel bezel, Aluminium pedals and ambient interior lighting complete the 500X Sport’s unique interior.

The new 500X comes as standard with a host of innovative driving assistance systems as standard, including Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Assist. Uconnect 7-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation, compatible with Apple CarPlay and with Android Auto, automatic climate control, rear parking sensors and Cruise Control are also standard.

Finally, the new 500X Sport can be equipped with a choice of two petrol engines, a 1.0 with 120PS and six-speed manual gearbox, and a 1.3 with 150PS and six-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission, complete with steering wheel controls.

The new 500X Lounge also makes its debut in the range. Outside, it features body-coloured mirror caps and 16-inch alloy wheels, as well as daytime running lights (DRL) and LED rear lights. It’s especially refined inside, with a techno-leather steering wheel and front armrest. The 500X Lounge is also comfortable thanks to its standard equipment including the 7-inch HD LIVE touchscreen Uconnect system with DAB digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android AutoT compatibility. Standard equipment is completed by front and rear parking sensors and rain and twilight sensors.