2019 FIAT 500X Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

New, more powerful 1.3-liter turbocharged engine with new nine-speed automaticAll-wheel drive is now standardUpdated exterior styling and gauge cluster designPart of the first Fiat 500X generation introduced for 2016

　　On the outside, the 2019 Fiat 500X looks similar to last year's model. Fiat has restyled the front and rear fascias, but only eagle-eyed observers will be able to spot the differences. Below the surface, however, more significant changes are afoot that substantially improve the 500X's appeal.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 FIAT 500X Pop 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$184/mo  for 500X Pop

　　500X Pop

　　Pop 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $24,490 MSRPBlue Sky Edition 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $25,685 MSRPTrekking 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $25,995 MSRPUrbana Edition 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $26,890 MSRPTrekking Plus 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $29,195 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Previously, there was a standard 1.4-liter turbocharged engine and an optional 2.4-liter non-turbocharged engine. We weren't in love with either choice, so there's promise in this year's

　　new turbocharged 1.3-liter engine that generates 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. While it has 3 hp less than the previously optional 2.4-liter engine, the significantly higher torque output makes the 500X more responsive at low speeds. It's also a little more fuel-efficient.

　　In terms of features, adaptive cruise control is now available on the 500X's upper trim levels, and it's paired with safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning. There are also a series of new interior materials used on the dashboard and seats, and a new look to the gauge cluster and steering wheel, to improve the already upscale vibe of the 500X.

　　Unfortunately, the 500X is still limited when it comes to space. Rear cargo storage is small and rear passengers will feel a bit cramped. What's more, the new 500X is even more expensive than the outgoing model, which is already one of the more expensive offerings in the segment. Still, we'd recommend taking a look at the new 2019 Fiat 500X, especially if you want an extra-small SUV with distinctive style and a peppy engine.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.3 / 10

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.3 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.0
Interior	7.5
Utility	7.0
Technology	7.0

　　

Driving

7.5

　　The new turbocharged four-cylinder engine works pretty well despite its small size. In zzdcar testing, our all-wheel-drive 500X test car covered 0-60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is reasonably quick for a subcompact SUV. In typical daily driving, the automatic transmission shifts quickly and makes the most of the engine's low-rpm power.

　　While Fiat touts the 500X as sporty, we found the 500X's handling to be only average for the class. It leans quite a bit when going around turns, and tire grip is mediocre. If you want a fun-to-drive SUV, you'll have to look elsewhere.

　　

Comfort

7.0

　　The 500X's greatest strength is its ride comfort. It's quite smooth for a small SUV. The front seats also have a nice combination of support and comfort. We found the rear seatbacks to be a little upright and the cushions a bit on the firm side.

　　The climate control system is easy to use but can struggle to keep you cool on hotter days. And although the 500X's cabin is decently isolated against outside noise, the car's various technology features make so many interior beeps, bongs, clicks and warning alarms that they destroy any auditory serenity that previously existed within the cabin.

　　

Interior

7.5

　　We like how easy it is to get in and out of the 500X's cabin. The generous door openings allow you to slip in and out with minimal effort. The tall windows and smartly placed sideview mirrors make for great outward visibility too. The cabin is roomy up front, but like others in the class, rear seat accommodations will be tight for more than 6 feet tall.

　　The 500X's main controls are easy to figure out. The configurable infotainment system is a bit slow to respond but is fairly straightforward to use. Our only frustration was having to deep dive into the touchscreen menus every time we wanted to shut off some of the annoyingly oversensitive driver aids.

　　

Utility

7.0

　　By the numbers, the 500X's trunk is tiny (12.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats). But in actual use, it's enough for grocery bags and the like. You can fit bigger items by folding down the rear seats. Storage for small personal items within the cabin is much better by comparison. The door pockets can accommodate slightly larger than average water bottles and a dual-tier glovebox makes good use of the front dash real estate.

　　On the child safety seat front, installing a rear-facing seat will be a tight squeeze behind the front seats. There's just not a whole lot of room. The car seat anchors are easy to locate at least.

　　

Technology

7.0

　　The 500X's 7-inch infotainment touchscreen feels tiny and cheap, even by subcompact vehicle standards. All the functionality is there, but its size may be challenging for those without razor-sharp eyesight. Our test car's upgraded audio system lacked bass and general low-end punch, which makes some music sound pretty thin.

　　The good news is there are three USB ports to split among your charge-hungry passengers, which is more than many competitors provide. There's also standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. There's a wealth of advanced driving aids, some of which are overly sensitive, but the warning sounds for some incidents are often more startling than they are beneficial.

　　

Which 500X does zzdcar recommend?

　　We recommend the Trekking trim level. It comes standard with all-wheel drive and the new 1.3-liter turbocharged engine, as all 500X models do, but there's value to be had by getting it over the base Pop trim level. Mainly, Fiat offers the most flexibility with optional packages here, giving you more choice while keeping the cost reasonable.

　　

2019 FIAT 500X models

　　The 2019 Fiat 500X is a subcompact crossover SUV available in three trim levels: Pop, Trekking and Trekking Plus. Every 500X comes with a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine (177 horsepower, 210 lb-ft of torque), paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is also standard.

　　Standard equipment on the Pop trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, remote start, a rearview camera, height-adjustable front seats, a fold-flat front passenger seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen, dual USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and a six-speaker sound system. Options for the Pop include automatic headlights, rear parking sensors and satellite radio.

　　The Trekking model gets all of the above features (minus the parking sensors), along with different 17-inch wheels, foglights, rear privacy glass and upgraded cloth upholstery.

　　Available in various packages, options for the Trekking include 18-inch wheels, LED foglights, front and rear parking sensors, a dual-pane sunroof, roof rails, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, an upgraded information display, integrated navigation, and a premium Beats audio system. The Cold Weather package also adds a windshield de-icer and heated front seats.

　　The Trekking Plus essentially includes all of the above as standard.

　　The Advanced Driver Assistance package (available on the Trekking and Trekking Plus) adds adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam control, automatic wipers, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a forward collision warning system with automatic braking, and lane departure warning and intervention.

　　Jump to:Related 2019 500X articles

　　

2019 500X Highlights

Trim: PopBlue Sky EditionTrekkingUrbana EditionTrekking PlusPop

　　

Base MSRP	$24,490
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$184/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles