2021 FIAT 500X Review

　　

2021 Fiat 500X Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　The Fiat 500X holds the dubious distinction of being the lone remaining car in Fiat's lineup for the 2021 model year. Not a bad business decision, really, as subcompact SUVs occupy a popular niche with buyers, and the 500X has more styling flair than most. Standard all-wheel drive and a quiet, smooth ride also bolster its appeal.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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

　　$177/mo  for 500X Pop

　　500X Pop

　　Pop 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) (Most Popular) - $25,815 MSRPTrekking 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $26,945 MSRPSport 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $27,795 MSRPTrekking Plus 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) - $31,185 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Still, the 500X feels slightly underwhelming when compared to its closest competitors. It lacks cargo room and engine power, and some common standard features, such as dual-zone climate control, are optional. Other subcompact SUVs, such as the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Venue, offer more standard features on equivalent trim levels. Is the 500X's quirky style enough to make it a worthy consideration when shopping for a subcompact SUV? Read our Expert Rating below before making your decision.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.3

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the 500X drive? 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

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the 500X? 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 it 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 serenity in the cabin.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? 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 the rear seat, like others in the class, will be tight for people over 6 feet tall.

　　The 500X's main controls are easy to figure out. The configurable infotainment system is a bit slow to respond but 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.

　　

Technology

7.0/10

　　How’s the tech? 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: The 500X provides three USB ports (more than competitors) to split among your charge-hungry passengers. 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. And the warning sounds for some incidents are often more startling than beneficial.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? By the numbers, the 500X's trunk is average (14.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats) but it's enough for grocery bags and the like. You can fit bigger items by folding down the rear seats. Storage for 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.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The 500X's EPA-estimated fuel economy is 26 mpg combined, which slightly falls behind much of its competition. That said, our test 500X returned a promising 29.2 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, which could indicate that the EPA's estimate is realistic for real-world driving.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the 500X a good value? The interior of the 500X earns style points. Soft-touch materials abound throughout the cabin, and the matching body-colored panels look cool even if they're just thin plastic. But the biggest letdowns are this mini-ute's high price and charmless accessory sounds. Changing those would go a long way to elevate the feel of this car. Fiat's comprehensive and powertrain warranties run four years/50,000 miles, which are better on the bumper-to-bumper side than some but not as good as others on the powertrain side.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The 500X has personality if nothing else. There are some nice Italian touches inside and out, and they help the little Fiat stand out in a sea of other tiny SUVs. And while it may not actually be as fun to drive as Mini purports, it at least makes you look like you're someone who likes to have fun. That's kind of the point here.

　　

Which 500X does zzdcar recommend?

We think the Trekking trim makes the most sense for most buyers. It comes with essentials such as smartphone connectivity and a touchscreen display, as well multiple USB inputs and foglights. And unlike the entry-level Pop trim, the Trekking can be equipped with a range of options such as leather upholstery, navigation and a sunroof.

　　

2021 FIAT 500X models

The 2021 Fiat 500X is an extra-small crossover SUV available in four trim levels: Pop, Trekking, Sport and Trekking Plus. A turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine (177 horsepower, 210 lb-ft of torque) and nine-speed automatic transmission come standard throughout the lineup. All-wheel drive is also standard.

　　Pop

　　This entry trim comes with the basics and a few extra touches, such as:

　　17-inch wheels Keyless entry Remote start Cloth upholstery Height-adjustable front seats 7-inch touchscreen display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility USB inputs (two front, one rear) Six-speaker sound systemTrekking

　　The Trekking's unique exterior molding and styling features give it a more rugged look, and it adds a few extra features, including:

　　Automatic headlights Foglights Satellite radio 

　　Sport

　　The Sport shares most of the Trekking's features, but it adds distinctive styling touches inside and out, including:

　　18-inch wheels Unique front fascia Sport seatsTrekking Plus

　　The top-trim Trekking Plus pulls out all the stops with features such as:

　　17-inch wheels LED headlights and foglights Leather upholstery Heated front seats Power-adjustable driver's seat Dual-zone climate control Auto-dimming rearview mirrorUpgraded technology features include:

　　Navigation system Eight-speaker sound system Front and rear parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)Each trim level offers a couple of option packages, typically making the features offered on upper trim levels, such as leather upholstery and a sunroof, available on the lower trims.

　　A couple of notable packages include the Sport Value package (for the Sport trim) and the Advanced Driver Assistance Group, optional for all trims except the Pop.

　　The Sport Value package adds:

　　19-inch wheels Sunroof LED headlights and foglights Heated front seats Navigation system Beats premium sound system Front and rear parking sensorsThe Advanced Driver Assistance Group includes:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the 500X and the car in front) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Automatic high beams

　　

2021 500X Highlights

Trim: PopTrekkingSportTrekking PlusPop

　　

Base MSRP	$25,815
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$177/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles