Fiat 500X Review 2024
Written by Andrew Brady
Quick overview
Pros
- Fresh and fun crossover SUV
- Really good value for money on the used market
- 2018 updates brought a better infotainment system and excellent new petrol engines
Cons
- Automatic gearbox is hesitant
- Question marks over build quality
- Only a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating
Overall verdict on the Fiat 500X
"We like the Fiat 500X. It’s quirky and characterful, with a bold interior and feel-good factor by the bucket loads. Rivals might be better to drive and more practical, but the Fiat 500X represents good value for money."
The Fiat 500X is a really quirky and likeable small SUV that competes against the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and SEAT Arona. Its combination of bold looks, economical engines, and a practical cabin makes it a desirable choice, especially as it represents value for money. We'll explore all this in our Fiat 500X review.
Like the smaller Fiat 500, the 500X combines retro charm with modern chic. It has a fun cabin with chunky controls and coloured dashboard although, true to Fiat form, it doesn’t feel quite in the same league as alternatives when it comes to interior quality. Things improved when the 500X was given a mid-life facelift in 2018 for a more fighting chance of competing with modern rivals like the Citroen C3 Aircross and Volkswagen T-Cross. More minor updates were also wrought in 2021 and 2022, so you can't accuse Fiat of not trying.
Early Fiat 500X models (sold new between 2015 and 2018) were available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, as well as front- or four-wheel-drive. As the Fiat 500X shares mechanicals with the Jeep Renegade, four-wheel-drive models can tackle snowy roads or rutted farm tracks surprisingly well.
Few buyers seek to venture off-road in their cutesy soft-roader, so four-wheel drive was dropped from the range with the 2018 facelift. At the same time, Fiat made the bold move of removing the diesel option too. This is a shame as, for high-mileage drivers, a diesel engine remains the best option.
Still, the latest ‘Firefly’ petrol engines (yes, they’re really called that) are excellent. The 1.0-litre petrol is the best, in our opinion - partly because it comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. It feels eager despite its small capacity, with a characterful sound and plenty of punch from low revs.
The four-cylinder 1.3-litre engine is more powerful but it’s only offered with the dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which really doesn’t like to be rushed and provides clumsy gear changes. We’d avoid it unless you really must have an auto.
Fiat then replaced these engines with the 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid engine, which is the only motor on offer now. It provides reasonable performance and economy, but no EV-only driving range.
Look for a Fiat 500X with fairly small alloy wheels if you’re concerned about ride quality. It gets a bit fidgety, especially out on the open road, although it’s generally a comfortable choice. It certainly isn’t as sporty to drive as a SEAT Arona or Peugeot 2008, although its light steering (along with parking sensors and reversing camera on high-spec models) means it’s an easy car to drive through town.
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Is the Fiat 500X right for you?
If you’re after a small crossover SUV with a bit more personality than its peers, the Fiat 500X is a great choice. The Fiat 500X represents good value for money, has a practical cabin and a wide range of economical engines. There’s lots to like.
What’s the best Fiat 500X model/engine to choose?
We’d recommend one the latest (2018-) models if budget allows. These feature plusher interiors and the excellent 1.0-litre ‘Firefly’ petrol engine. If you’re after a diesel or four-wheel-drive, you’ll need a pre-2018 model.
What other cars are similar to the Fiat 500X?
There’s no shortage of strong competition for the Fiat 500X, including its counterpart the Jeep Renegade. Others includes the Citroen C3 Aircross, Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. You could also look at the Ford EcoSport or the later Ford Puma, as well as Japanese alternatives like the Honda HR-V and Suzuki Vitara.
The Volkswagen T-Cross, SEAT Arona and Skoda Kamiq might not be quite as quirky but all feel better made. There’s also the Peugeot 2008, Vauxhall Crossland X, Hyundai Kona, and Mazda CX-30.
On the inside: Fiat 500X interior
"While too many SUVs feature bland interiors, the Fiat 500X has a bold and quirky cabin."
There are lots of neat touches with the Fiat 500X, like a coloured dash trim and a chunky steering wheel. Later models, from 2018 onwards, feel noticeably better finished, but overall it's a comfortable choice.
While there's a large 7-inch infotainment display positioned high-up on the dash, we like fact that you get physical climate control dials, making it much easier to adjust when you're on the move than relying on a touchscreen control. Earlier cars made do with a 6.5-inch infotainment screen.
The Fiat 500X delivers plenty of adjustment in the seats and steering wheel, while the optional Comfort Pack brings with it adjustable lumbar support, as well as a number of other nice-to-have features (like a front armrest, a third headrest in the rear and storage nets in the boot).
The Fiat 500X is practical, too, with deep door pockets and lots of useful storage in the front of the car. The boot in the Fiat 500X is a relatively generous 350 litres, extending up to 1000 litres with the rear seats flattened. A two-level boot floor is available as an option and there's plenty of head and legroom in the front and rear, which makes the 500X suitable for carrying four adults.
Quality and finish
The interior design might take it's influence from the 500, but luckily the Fiat 500X's interior quality is a step up, with a lot less cheap plastics littering the cabin. Instead, there's a decent array of soft-touch materials spread around, while the body-coloured plastic inserts work really nicely. However, pick the Fiat 500X in Sport trim and you're lumbered with some rather gloomy grey inserts instead.
The fit and finish overall in the Fiat 500X is also pretty good, although no Fiat 500X is exactly plush inside. That said, even German alternatives like the Volkswagen T-Cross have quite a few flimsy finishes and the new Ford Puma - one of our favourite cars in this class - isn’t perfect inside. If you're looking for something really plush, then you'll want to take a look at the Audi Q2.
Infotainment: Touchscreen, USB, nav and stereo in the Fiat 500X
All models in the Fiat 500X range from 2018-on sport a nice 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display, while there's also a DAB radio, Bluetooth and two USB ports, as well as an aux in socket. Earlier cars had a 6.5-inch screen, but it's much the same to use.
While you'd be forgiven for assuming that all models feature a sat nav, it's only as standard on the Cross and Sport models (and an option on Connect models). It's not all bad news though as both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard throughout the range, meaning you can mirror your smartphone and enjoy the likes of Google Maps with the latest traffic information.
To be honest, unless you're having to dive into the car's menu system, you'll probably want to rely on the connectivity of your smartphone to deliver your media and mapping as the infotainment menu system in the Fiat 500X is a bit of a faff to use if we're honest. Don't get us wrong, it's relatively intuitive, but the response time isn't as slick as rivals.
Space and practicality: Fiat 500X boot space
The Fiat 500X's interior is very practical and most drivers will be able to find a comfortable seating position without any hassle. You get a high seating position, while there are plenty of useful storage areas for tucking away those odds and ends that we all end up acquiring during day-to-day life.
The Fiat 500X measures 4264mm long and 1796mm - quite a bit bigger than a standard Fiat 500, which measures 3571mm long and 1627mm wide. This makes it about the same size at the Nissan Juke and the larger proportions over the standard Fiat 500 mean that a pair of adults will fit into the back of the Fiat 500X (it gets a bit crowded with three).
The boot will be big enough for a lot of buyers, though the 350 litre boot capacity of the Fiat 500X is far from the biggest in its class. Using the Nissan Juke as an example again, this enjoys a much larger 422 litre boot. You can always drop the rear seats if you need to carry bulky items, which increases the space to 1000 litres, although the 500X’s high boot lip could be a bit of a nuisance if you plan to do this regularly.
Handling and ride quality: What is the Fiat 500X like to drive?
"The Fiat 500X was originally available with two- or four-wheel drive and, as it shares a platform with the Jeep Renegade, you might be surprised how capable it is off road."
As a result, the Fiat 500X can be considered as a genuine off-roader if it has all-wheel drive, unlike a lot of similar SUVs that have the looks, but not the chops to cover tricky terrain.
Find a used Fiat 500X with four-wheel drive and you get a torque management system to activate the rear axle whenever needed, which makes it ideal for rural areas, especially in winter months. Don't disregard two-wheel drive models either. Find one in Cross specification and you'll have a great compact SUV that's more than up to the job of tackling icy road and hills, thanks to the addition of an electronic diff.
Reality is though that for most Fiat 500X buyers, how it copes on the school run and round town is going to be more of a concern that what it's like green laning. Fiat knows this and the good news is the 500X is a very solid perform when it's trundling round the suburbs.
Handling is good for a compact SUV, with minimal body pitching when you steer into a bend, while there's a decent amount of grip. The latest engines really suit the Fiat 500X as well. While a 1.0-litre three cylinder engine might seem a bit underpowered for a car this size, it works really. Whether you're zipping round town or venturing onto the motorway, there's more than enough power on tap.
What engines and gearboxes are available in the Fiat 500X?
The initial engine line-up saw 110PS 1.6- and 140PS 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol powering front-wheel-drive models, as well as diesel offerings in the flavour of a 1.3 (with 95PS) and a 1.6 (with 120PS).
Four-wheel drive models got the 140PS 2.0-litre MultiJet diesel and 170PS 1.4-litre MultiAir petrol, but commanded a significant price premium.
When the Fiat 500X range was revamped in 2018, the diesel and four-wheel-drive models were dropped entirely and the 1.4 MultAir was replaced with new Firefly engines. The new 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine is the one to go for, we reckon - it might only have 120PS, but it feels eager and nippy without compromising on fuel economy. There’s also a four-cylinder 1.3-litre with 150PS, which comes exclusively with a DCT automatic gearbox.
Then, from the beginning of 2022, Fiat swapped these engines for the 1.5-litre 130PS petrol hybrid, which is now the only engine choice. As a mild hybrid, it has no EV-only range but it suits the car well.
Refinement and noise levels
The Fiat 500X comes fitted with 16, 17 or 18-inch wheels, but we'd avoid the large alloys if possible as these can make the ride that bit firmer. You'll also miss the thicker sidewalls of the smaller tyres when you thump over potholes and speed bumps.
You can expect a little bit of wind noise once you're up to speed on the motorway, but it's not too excessive, while the latest engines can be a little noisy when pushed hard. If you're wanting something a little more refined, the Volkswagen T-Roc has the edge here.
Safety equipment: How safe is the Fiat 500X?
One aspect of the Fiat 500X which might trigger alarm bells is its four-star Euro NCAP safety rating. Despite many cars now coming with five-star ratings, the Fiat 500X was let down by its lack of standard safety assist systems.
Older Fiat 500X models were available with things like autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping assist systems as options, but they were not standard across the range. That doesn’t mean it’s an unsafe car, of course, but rivals are a bit more generous with such features. A brand new 500X has an improved list of standard safety kit, including driver fatigue alert, lane keep assistance, blind spot assistance, and Fiat's Brake Assistance System.
MPG and fuel costs: What does a Fiat 500X cost to run?
"The Fiat 500X should be pretty affordable to run. If fuel economy’s important and you cover a lot of miles, look for the older diesel model (this was dropped in 2018)."
That's because the old 1.6-litre diesel officially returns 68.9mpg in combined fuel economy tests, while this drops quite significantly to 51.4mpg from the 2.0-litre diesel with the automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive.
The later Firefly petrol engines are pretty efficient, too. The 1.0-litre manual model returns 48.7mpg in the latest WLTP fuel economy tests, while the 1.3 auto is good for 46.3mpg.
Choose the latest hybrid 500X and it offers a combined economy claimed at up to 49.5mpg.
How reliable is the Fiat 500X?
One obvious area where the Fiat 500X could perform better is reliability. We've seen a number of complaints around electrical gremlins for instance, but if you're buying new, you do get a 3-year/60,000 mile warranty that gives you some extra peace of mind.
As a manufacturer, Fiat finished 32nd out of 34 brands in a recent HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index survey - only coming in ahead of Vauxhall and Jeep.
Insurance groups and costs
If you're looking for cheap car insurance, then put a big tick alongside the Fiat 500X. The entry-level Fiat 500X Pop with a 1.3-litre engine has Group 5 insurance to keep premiums nice and low.
Even if you opt for one of the better-spec'd models with a more punchy engine, you won't be going any further than insurance group 16 with the Fiat 500X. The latest Top and Dolcevita trims raise those groups to 19 and 20, respectively.
VED car tax: What is the annual road tax on a Fiat 500X?
If you're looking to buy a new Fiat 500X, then the first year ‘showroom’ rate for a new car starts at £210 and rises to £255 depending on the model you choose. Annual road tax for a Fiat 500X is then £180 per year. 500X models sold between its 2015 launch and early 2017 will have their road tax calculated on the emissions of the engine, but none will be a drain on your finances.
How much should you be paying for a used Fiat 500X?
"You can drive away in an older Fiat 500X for around £7000..."
However, expect it to have covered a fair few miles. Increase your budget a further £1500 or so and while you'll be able to get a car of a similar age, the mileage will be less and you'll get a bit more choice when it comes to the trim available.
A £12,000 budget will get you a Fiat 500X that's three-years old and with around 20-30,000 miles covered, and it will have the splendid 1.0-litre engine. Spend over £16,000 and you're getting a nearly-new Fiat 500X with less than 10,000 miles.
Trim levels and standard equipment
The Fiat 500X line-up has changed a few times since its launch in 2015. Originally, the most affordable model was the 500X Pop, which featured 16-inch steel wheels, cruise control, electric windows and an electronic parking brake as standard. Nothing groundbreaking here…
The Fiat 500X Pop Star (yes, it was called that) added 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering illumination, climate control and rear parking sensors. It also brought selectable drive modes and a small 5.0-inch Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth.
The high-spec Fiat 500X Lounge is one the more desirable models, with highlights including 18-inch alloys, a bigger 6.5-inch infotainment system with navigation and chrome exterior styling. It even got a leather-trimmed gear shifter, an adjustable front armrest and fancy ambient interior lighting.
The Fiat 500X Cross was the off-road model, with bespoke 17-inch alloy wheels, an advanced traction control system and tinted rear windows. Other off-roady exterior features included the bespoke front and rear bumpers, chrome exhaust trims and roof bars, while the inside got a leather-trimmed gear shifter and a special dashboard finish as well as an adjustable front armrest with storage.
The Fiat 500X Cross Plus built on this with 18-inch alloy wheels, the 6.5-inch media system with navigation, HID headlights, an adjustable cargo floor, front floor mats and ambient interior lighting.
When the Fiat 500X range was face-lifted in 2018, the line-up was simplified somewhat. The new entry-level model is badged the Fiat 500X Urban, with spec highlights including a 7-inch media system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility), 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and Lane Assist with Intelligent Speed Assist.
The Fiat 500X City Cross adds more rugged front and rear bumpers, chrome exterior highlights, fog lights and rear parking sensors. It also features 17-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured electrically adjustable door mirrors, automatic dual-zone climate control and a 3.5-inch colour TFT display.
The top-spec Fiat 500X Cross Plus comes with all of these features as well as LED headlights, roof rails, part-leather interior upholstery, dark tinted windows, a dusk sensor, front armrest with storage compartment and a rear-view camera. It also gets a seven-inch navigation system and 18-inch alloy wheels.
It was all change again in 2023 when Fiat pared back the range to just two trim levels - Top and Dolcevita. The Top comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, sports styling, rear privacy glass, and automatic headlights and wipers. It also has dual zone climate control, electric windows all round, cruise control, rear view camera, and a 7.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Dolcevita has a folding soft-top roof as its unique selling point, but otherwise the spec is the same as for the Top.
Ask the heycar experts: common questions
Is the Fiat 500X a reliable car?
What's the difference between the Fiat 500X and Fiat 500L?
Is the Fiat 500X discontinued?
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