Fiat 500X Motorhub MiniMag 4

Motorhub MiniMag Review Series - Issue 4

Bringing you up to speed

Fiat 500X Review

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Words: Brian Kellett Photos: Motorhub

It means business and is engineered to compete with the best

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You could be forgiven for thinking that every model in the current Fiat range is a ‘500’, but the Italian giant can also be forgiven for trying to build on the success of their supermini by taking its attractive design and moulding into a number of versatile derivatives of the famous city car. While the design of the 500L may have split opinion, the quality of the build and adaptable design of the MPV cannot be argued with.

The Fiat 500X enters the Irish market at a time when the crossover is king. While timing may be good, competition is very stiff. Proving it’s the one to pick in its segment is going to be one of the toughest tasks for Fiat as they fight to regain a sustainable market share.

While Fiat may be quite late to the compact crossover party, the 500X is the end product from a company that has carefully done its homework. It looks great, is well built, offers good versatility and is good to drive.

Style

In the metal, you will instantly recognise the Fiat 500 cues applied to the exterior of the 500X. They’ve stretched, lifted and pulled the iconic city car shape in many directions and managed to create another good looking 500, albeit bigger and more spacious. It gains a beefier front end, muscular wheel arches and neat flowing roofline that make it appealing to the eye. Its available three guises too, Pop, Popstar & Lounge with Cross and Cross plus for those who prefer a more rugged look.

Inside & Drive Our test car was the 1.6 litre Multijet II diesel with 120hp fitted with a 6speed manual gearbox, powered by the front wheels. The engine is by no means the most superior in its class, but it’s smooth and punchy, delivering torque instantly when called upon. The ride may not be the refined in its class but the firmness does keep body roll in check and good grip in the corners.

design and use of switchgear albeit with the neat 6.5 inch TFT U-Connect infotainment system sitting at the top of the centre console. There is an ambience of quality throughout the cabin with a use of quality plastics and materials that feel solid to the touch and combine to add a neat blend of retro styling and modern tech to the interior.

Being a crossover it needs to meet the everyday needs of a small family.

It sports a modest 350 litre boot, not the largest in its segment, but large enough for a buggy and everyday shopping requirements. The rear seats offer a ‘fold & tumble’ arrangement (creating 1000 litres of space), but strangely these do not fold flat like most of its competitors, But cleverly, the front passenger seat does fold flat, enabling additional loading space for longer items. Leg and headroom is generous for both front and rear passengers and the rear doors open quite wide making the loading and The interior dash layout is very much like an oversized 500 with recognisable unloading of baby & child seats an easy task.

The driving position is nice and the seats are well bolstered offering comfortable support. In front of the driver is a newly designed binnacle featuring a 3-in1 type display with rev counter, speedo on the outside wrapped around a 3.5 inch colour TFT displaying the driver controls. Like its Jeep cousin, the steering wheel feels a bit on the large side to grip and could do with being a tad slimmer.

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The engine is by no means the most superior in its class, but it’s smooth and punchy

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Being a crossover it needs to meet the everyday needs of a small family.

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Like its Jeep cousin, the steering wheel feels a bit on the large side to grip and could do with being a tad slimmer

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Price & Competition The Fiat 500X comes into the market going up against the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and its latest Jeep Renegade sibling, but the 500X is probably the most stylish alternative. While the Captur is a good looking car, its rugged interior cannot match the style of the Fiats. Prices being at €19,750 for the entry level ‘Pop’ trim fitted with the 1.6 litre E-torq engine ranging right up to €33,200 for the top level ‘Lounge Cross’ with the 140bhp 2.0 litre Multijet II.

Summation The 500X brings with it the charm and style of the 500 in a much more practical package. It may still be cute and fashionable but it means business and is engineered to compete with the best.

For more Motorhub reviews go to www.Motorhub.ie