The 500 crosses over

Fiat has added another model to its ever-popular 500 brand – the 500X – a 5-door compact crossover that stays true to its iconic Italian roots. Angela Pisanu reports from Fiat’s proving ground in Balocco, Italy

The iconic Fiat 500 brand, which is best known for its city car with cute looks and pint-sized proportions, has grown in recent years to include the 500C and 500L models. And now the 500X has been added to the family, which is Fiat’s five-door compact crossover to rival the likes of the Nissan Juke and Mini Countryman. Purists will hopefully breath a sigh of relief as the 500X is recognisable as a Fiat 500, sharing the same distinctive looks as the 1957 Fiat 500, with its rounded lights and classic logo sat in the middle of its chrome-plated ‘moustache’. From the side it is nicely rounded and close to the classic 500 shape, albeit longer to accommodate the extra doors. It captures the looks and spirit of the Fiat 500 better than the 500L, which was the brand’s first five-door model.

    
The 500X comes in two or four-wheel drive configurations and has two distinct styles: the first version, available in Pop, Pop Star and Lounge trim levels, has smoother front and rear bumpers for a more stylish urban look, while the four-wheel drive versions come in Cross or Cross Plus, which are more rugged-looking to suit off-road pursuits. The Cross/Cross Plus model also sits higher off the ground (697mm), to accommodate the revised suspension settings and tyres.
    
There are a range of diesel and petrol engines available in the UK. Fleets I imagine will opt for the 1.6 MultiJet II which has CO2 emissions of 109g/km and just fits within VED tax band B. Unless they require the all-wheel drive configuration, in which case the 2.0 MultiJet II would be the choice. This model does 51.4mpg and has 144g/km CO2.

Four-wheel fun
I took the 2.0 litre four‑wheel drive 500X for a ride on the off-road route in Fiat’s proving ground in Balocco. This involved a variety of steep hills, rocks, deep pools and other obstacles to test the four‑wheel drive capability to its limits. With the ‘traction’ function set on the ‘mood selector’, which speeds up the transmission of torque to the rear axle, the 500X gripped to hair-raising inclines and drops on slippery, muddy and rocky surfaces with confidence. It performed just as well as any SUV on the market.
    
The 2.0 litre all-wheel drive model is the first Fiat to have a nine-speed automatic gearbox, which allows for faster acceleration and more fluid gear-shifting. The gearbox’s wide opening, in terms of ratios, ensures that the engine is always working within the optimum speed range, maximising driving pleasure and efficiency.
    
I also drove the 1.4 Turbo MultiAir II petrol on the open roads surrounding Turin. It was a smooth ride, handled well despite the chaos of the city roads, and had light yet precise steering. The stop-start system kicked in and off without hesitation.
    
The ‘mood selector’ has three different modes to choose from – auto, sport, and all weather – depending on driving style required or road conditions.  ‘Auto’ is for everyday driving, ‘sport’ gives a more powerful driving response, and ‘all weather’ maximises performance on slippery or uneven surfaces.
    
The cabin is decked out in high-quality materials, and is one of the nicest looking Fiat interiors I’ve seen. The boot has a 350-litre luggage compartment which can be extended to accommodate different loads using the Fold&Tumble rear seats and the fold‑flat front passenger seat. A removable load platform which is reversible and height adjustable is also available.

Keeping safe
Safety-wise, the vehicles has a lane assist departure warning system and a lane change assistance system to get around blind spots. It can be fitted with the new ParkView rear reversing camera and an assisted braking system. What’s more, it has six airbags, front headlights with the daytime running lights function and cornering fog lights, as well as electronic stability control.
    
The Fiat 500X has a touch screen infotainment system which can be integrated with your smartphone so you can use your usual apps. You can also get real-time news updates from Reuters and the latest traffic, safety camera and weather information from the TomTom Live service. The Uconnect Radio Nav 5” device offers TomTom 2.5D navigation, while the 6.5” Uconnect Radio Nav features satellite navigation with 3D maps, progressive route guidance and voice command for entering addresses.
    
The price list starts quite low, at £14,595 – but ends high, at £25,845 for a top‑of‑the‑range 2.0-litre MultiJet II 140bhp with all-wheel drive. But Fiat has a good quality product here, and the fashionable badge to match, which the Italian company hopes will justify the price.
    
The introduction of five-door Fiat 500s has opened up the brand to the fleet market, as it has more space and practicality. But for those that are not keen on the 500L, the 500X is an attractive car that retains its 500 quirkiness and iconic style. It is well built and finished on the inside with good quality materials. The all-wheel drive adds to its practicality, should the driver need go off-road.

Fiat 500X 1.6 MultiJet 120bhp MT FWD

ENGINE: 1,598cc, four-cylinder diesel
CO2: 109g/km
MPG (combined): 68.9
VED: Band B, £0 first year, £20 thereafter
BIK: 17%
PRICE (OTR): £19,095 (including VAT)