Motoring Review Fiat 500X

Fiat 500XReview

Follow Tim Barnes-Clay, Motoring Journalist on Instagram: @tbarnesclay and Twitter: @carwriteups.

The Fiat 500X is a bloated version of the renowned Fiat 500.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Why? Well, let’s face it; however sweet the original iconic Italian car looks, it lacks practicality. With the 500X compact crossover (a hatchback with SUV styling to you and me), four other people can accompany the driver, and the boot is large enough for a family.

The 500X is a relatively safe car, too. It scored four out of five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests, doing particularly well in the child and adult occupant protection categories. The Fiat only missed out on a fifth star because of its mediocre safety assistance rating.

This crossover is decent enough, then, but there’s no getting away from its “Marmite” looks. The Fiat 500X really does have a face only a mother could love. Put it this way; it’s not a car I’d be proud to have sitting on my driveway. Then again, the City Cross 1.0-litre FireFly, as tested here, only costs £18,995 on the road. That’s not a bad price for a brand-new motor that’ll seat five-up.

What’s more, the 500X is quite a peppy little performer, considering it has a small engine. The three-cylinder turbo-powered unit pulls the car from 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds and will get to 117mph. The steering doesn’t give a tremendous amount of feedback, but the Fiat handles well, without too much lean in corners. The six-speed manual gearbox shifts nicely, also. It’s a good little package in many ways.

Despite all the 500X’s good points, I’d rather spend a similar amount of money, or less, on a more conventional hatchback, such as a Ford Fiesta or even a SEAT Ibiza. It’s partly because I prefer the look of these cars, but also because both have a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

Of course, if you’re set on having a compact crossover, then the 500X should be on your shopping list. But so should others - like the Volkswagen T-Cross and the Mazda CX-3. You’re more likely to get a deal with the 500X, though because it’s getting long in the tooth - and dealers, especially in this challenging COVID-19 era, will be keen to shift cars from their forecourts.

PROS ‘N’ CONS

• Practicality ✔ • Peppy performance ✔ • Handling ✔ • “Marmite” looks ✖

FAST FACTS - FIAT 500X CITY CROSS 1.0 FIREFLY T3 (120) - AS TESTED:

• Max speed: 117 mph • 0-62 mph: 10.9 seconds • Combined mpg: 48.7 • Engine layout: 999cc, three-cylinder turbo petrol • Max. power (PS): 120 • CO2: 133 g/km • Price: £18,995