The 500 family is growing, but has the latest edition got the X Factor?

The 500 family has gained another member. The family started off small with the cute and loveable babies in the Fiat 500 and shortly after the 500C. Then along came the larger, not as pretty 500L and again shortly after, the 500L MPW, which were more about being practical than looking good. Now we have the latest addition in the 500X; a handsome Crossover.

The granddad of them all was the iconic 500, which was produced between 1957 and 1975 in a saloon, estate and panel van variants, with a total of almost four million being produced. The new generation of 500 was introduced in 2007, fifty years after the original was introduced.

The 500X is to be built at the recently modernised Melfi Plant in Italy; as a result it has high build quality. There are in effect two models available: the “standard” X and the more rugged off-road version called the “Cross”, and “Cross-Plus”, and this model has slightly different styling and looks a bit “chunkier” due to more body protection panels.

The trim levels available when the 500X comes to the UK next April will be Pop, Popstar, Lounge, Cross and Cross Plus, along with a special launch edition. The engines on offer are petrol:  1.6 litre E-torQ 110ps, 1.4 litre MultiAir 140ps. The diesels are: 1.6 MultiJet 120ps and 2.0 litre MultiJet 140ps. The 1.4 petrol and 1.6 diesels are both front-wheel drive, and the 2.0 diesel is All-Wheel-Drive.

We drove a number of cars while in Italy, and by far the best was the 120ps 1.6 diesel; it has plenty of power, was quiet, refined and just a great drive. This engine accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 10.5 seconds, has a top speed of 116mph, and CO2 emissions of 109g/km.

The 500X is 4,248mm long, but the Cross and Cross Plus are just slightly longer at 4,273mm. This new car from Fiat will compete with other cars such as: Vauxhall Mokka, Nissan Juke, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Yeti, Renault Captur, Citroen Cactus and Mini Countryman.  The 500X is in good company, as its main competitors are very competent, and do sell in large numbers. This sector of the market is growing and no doubt will continue to grow. In 2004 the Crossover just accounted for 5% of sales in Europe, this is now up to around 20%.

The Pop version has quite a good standard specification for a lead-in model, although it doesn’t have alloy wheels, but it does have manual air-conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking, electric front and rear windows, height-adjustable driver’s seat, body coloured dashboard panel and body coloured bumpers. The Pop Star adds:  17’’ alloy wheels, body coloured door mirrors, auto air-con, rear parking sensors, “Drive-Mode” selector, five inch screen with Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth. The Lounge model offers additional specification such as dark tinted rear windows, 6.5’’ media screen, satellite navigation, adjustable front armrest with storage, ambient lighting and 18’’ alloy wheels. The Cross models have Traction Plus, roof bars, unique bumpers, chrome exhaust trims and leather trimmed gear shifter. The Cross Plus adds: HID headlamps, adjustable cargo floor, 3D satellite navigation. The best choice for us was the 1.6 diesel 120ps Pop Star costing £19,095.00.

We took the 500X out into the hills above Turin and found it to be very capable in most situations. It cruised happily at motorway speeds, held its line around the bends, it went up and down the mountain roads with ease, and just felt rock solid and safe. It was the sort of car you could get in and drive mile after mile and enjoy every minute of it. Fiat have obviously put in a lot effort and spent money on adding the correct sound insulation as the cabin is so quiet and such a nice place to sit for long periods. The interior space is above average. The one criticism of the 500X is the upper glove box that doesn’t have a mat in it, so anything you put in it tends to roll about and vibrate, as we found out, which becomes very annoying.

After the road route, and taking in some very pretty little villages in Northern Italy, we went back to Fiat Groups proving ground at Balocco. It’s a massive complex in the middle of nowhere, and where all Fiat Group companies carry out their testing of new vehicles. We took a 500X AWD round the off-road track to test its capabilities, and although the course was fairly tame and nowhere near as extreme as some of the off-road courses we have been on, it did prove it was capable of going through the mud and over slippery surfaces. Get some winter tyres on one in the UK, and you would be able to get anywhere in the depth of a bad winter, without the cost of a large expensive SUV.

On some models a 9-speed auto is available, we drove a car this gearbox in a 2.0 litre diesel and it was so quick to change either up or down, such a nice smooth gearbox.  

You can see the 500 design in the 500X, it has similarities throughout, whereas the 500L doesn’t carry the same DNA, the L is the ugly-duckling of the family, but it serves a purpose. The X and L are like chalk and cheese. Speaking to an Italian Fiat representative, they thought the 500L is one of the most beautiful cars Fiat has ever built. It would be good to borrow their rose-tinted glasses sometime!

The 500X is a great all-rounder, looks great, drives even better, high quality throughout and importantly it is fun to drive. It has loads of interior space and some clever gadgets to play with. There is a good engine choice and having AWD on offer is a bonus.

Prices start from £14,595.00 OTR and go up to £25,845.00 OTR

The time with the 500X in Italy was very enjoyable, and it is just a shame that the British public are going to have to wait until April to experience this excellent new car from Fiat.

Click here to view the offical Fiat 500X advert

Martin Ward, Manufacturer Relationship Manager 

International Press Launch, Balocco, Italy