Fiat refreshed the 500 X urban crossover lineup in 2018, improving and adapting the vehicle to newer European emission standards, and also upgraded the car's exterior and interior.
Those looking for a stylish B-segment crossover had many options to choose from, but the 500 X was focused more on the design than most of its competitors. As a result, despite its drawbacks on the interior, it provided many features that made its owners' lives easier thanks to some clever solutions and, most importantly, a better-looking vehicle. Fiat didn't want to sell a car that looked just like any other grocery-getter on the market. Furthermore, it still had the flavor of the successful 500 lineup.
From the outside, the new and improved 500 X featured full-LED headlights that promised to fix the nighttime driving problems that the previous version had. Its daytime running lights were integrated inside the headlamps and mimicked the look of those installed in the regular 500. To create a powerful image of a crossover, the 500 X sported a front bumper adorned on its lower side by a light-gray plastic shield, which was mostly good for grass, not for bushes or rocks. From its profile, the 2019 model featured contrasting door handles and integrated blinkers into the door mirror caps. The greenhouse was tall enough to provide enough headroom for adult-sized passengers. Finally, at the back, a raked-forward tailgate ended the vehicle in a stylish way, similar to its 500 sibling.
Moving onto the interior, customers were greeted by high-mounted front seats with mild bolstering. Those were mostly designed for comfort, the lack of tall sides easing the ingress and egress to the car. Still, those who wanted to feel hugged by the seats could get an optional set to satisfy their tastes. Fronting the driver was a unique-looking instrument cluster. The analog speedometer and the tachometer had their own individual scoops, while between them, Fiat squeezed another cluster filled with a 3.5" TFT that showed information from the car's onboard computer. Atop the center stack, Fiat installed a touchscreen that featured Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both wirelessly. In the back, access was easy thanks to the rear doors, and there was just enough room for a couple of passengers, although a third, middle-seated one, could suffer on long trips.
Under the car's skin, Fiat installed a wide choice of drivetrains and engines. Unlike many of its competitors, who didn't offer AWD versions, the 500 X had that on the options list. The engine choice was surprisingly big for this segment, ranging between a 95 PS (94 hp) turbo diesel and a 150 PS (148 hp) turbocharged gasoline powerplant. All the oomph was sent to the front or in both axles, depending on the version.
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