FIAT 500X SPORT FIREFLY

What is it?

Using the same platform and a few other bits ’n’ pieces as the Jeep Renegade, the 500X is essentially the car you want when you’ve outgrown the standard 500 - it’s better looking, too, and as I’ve written in the past, much prettier than the awkward looking 500L - in my humble opinion, anyway.

When I originally booked the 500x I asked for the Cross version that has skid plates and a few other, err, less sporty accessories - like the low front bumper. But either something got lost in translation or they only had the Sport on the press fleet, and on a wet October morning that’s what arrived. Don’t get me wrong I’m not complaining, the 500X is actually one of my guilty pleasures.

On the road

With a respectable 118bhp, the 1.0ltr, 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that’s mated to the 6-speed manual ‘box is quite lively and fun to use when pushed. Around town and on a local commute the 500X was a joy, in fact coupled with its funkiness and lightness I had no complaints at all during short trips.

On fast roads and long motorway journeys, wind, engine and tyre noise are mostly well suppressed, there can be a fair bit of road roar on coarse surfaces, mind. My overall experience was only marred by a bouncy ride on bumpy and undulating surfaces which Muddy Madam wasn’t overly impressed with. That said, the Sport’s ride height has been lowered by 13mm with new front and rear springs and unique tuning for the shock absorbers, so I’ll forgive it.

The Sport felt sharper than the Cross I drove a few years ago, and the steering has a nice weight to it, and although it can wallow a little, overall the body control is quite decent for what it is.

The 6-speed manual was slick, precise and very easy to use. When you decide to floor it, it offers a nice throaty rasp, too.

Cruise and adaptive took the stress out of long journeys, and if you have to change gear at any point, it doesn’t cancel cruise control, which is nice. Also, cruise maintains your speed exceptionally well when you’re heading downhill, something that other, more expensive cars lack.

Off road

At one point you could buy your 500X with AWD, but not anymore, sadly, so it’s just standard 2wd, these days, which is a shame.

Therefore, with that low-slung front bumper, I avoided my usual off-road test route.

Interior

I appreciate that it won’t be everyones cup of tea, but just look at it, isn’t it funky? I especially like how they’ve integrated the centre screen into the dash, which is a first for me. The infotainment system was easy to navigate, buttons and switches are a welcome design feature and the seats are comfortable.

Leg, shoulder and head space up front is in abundance, but you’ll struggle to get in the back if you’re a six-footer, especially if the driver and front seat passenger are six-footers too.

If I’m going to moan it’s that there wasn’t enough space between the clutch pedal and transmission tunnel to fit my size 11, and the hand brake switch is a little too far back and almost under the centre arm rest to activate. Every time I wanted to engage the handbrake I had to perform a little contortion with my left had, it was a tad awkward.

All models get a 7” touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, an aux-in and Apple CarPlay and Android.

In the boot you’ll find ample space, but there’s quite a lip between the opening of the tailgate and the boot floor.

Conclusion

As I mentioned at the beginning, the 500X is another one of my guilty pleasures when it comes to press cars. Okay, it’s not as exciting as the V8 Mustang, my other guilty pleasure, but I’ve always found the 500X to be a fun car to drive, and if I could find a 4x4 version, I’d probably buy it.

Hold the press!

Despite only borrowing this Sport just over a month ago, it transpires that there’s been a major change, and the 1.0ltr and 1.3ltr engines have been discontinued and replaced with a new 1.5ltr, 130bhp turbocharged petrol hybrid engine with a 48v electric motor. Unfortunately I haven’t had the pleasure of driving it yet, but when I do you’ll be the first to know!