2022 Fiat 500X

Since bringing the cute 500 to US shores back in 2007, the Fiat 500 range of cars has enjoyed moderate success, and after introducing the 500L, its latest offering, the Fiat 500X, has to be the best. This subcompact crossover creation looks like a true European city car and oozes charm from the inside out. Powered by a 177-horsepower 1.3-liter turbocharged engine, the 500X is primed for city life but is let down by a dreadful nine-speed automatic transmission. The little Italian tries to make up for it by offering a beautifully styled interior but can't match its competitors on practicality. Starting at $24,590, the Fiat 500X goes up against well-known names like the Honda HR-V and Jeep Renegade.

You can't deny that this small car is a cute looking thing. The 2022 Fiat 500X has an exterior design that pays tribute to its predecessor, the original 500. But, as Mini has done with its Countryman, the Fiat 500X has swollen proportions, making it more practical and peeling to the modern city slicker. The Pop and Trekking models feature 17-inch silver alloy wheels, while the Sport gets 18s. The Pop keeps things simple in terms of styling, with soft lines and a rounded front bumper. The Trekking adds a more aggressive off-road bumper, and the Sport gets large vents that house a set of fog lights. All models sport a set of bi-function halogen projector headlamps and LED daytime running lights and taillights, save for the Trekking Plus, which features LED headlights and fog lamps. The Yacht Club Capri special edition is uniquely finished in a bespoke Venezia Blue paint job and has two-tone blue-and-silver 18-inch alloys, a blue Al-Fresco retracting soft top, and satin-finish exterior trim.

Don't let pictures fool you: the dimensions of this 4-door city car are still relatively diminutive, which is excellent news for those who want to nip in and out of traffic and tight parking spaces. Sure, the size of the 500X is significantly larger than the normal 500, but it's still a petite thing. The total length of the 500X is 167.2 inches (though the Trekking is an inch longer), its width is 70.7 inches, and it is 63.7 inches tall. The 500X rides on a 101.2-inch wheelbase, its front track is 60.7 inches, which is mirrored in the rear. The weight of the Fiat 500X is relatively low: it tips the scales at only 3,305 lbs.

Such a cute face deserves a wide range of colors, and Fiat offers a total of nine, down from last year's 14. These are Bianco Gelato (white), Blu Venezia, Grigio Moda (graphite gray), Italia Blue, Nero Cinema (black), Rosso Passione (red), Rovente Red, Italia Blue, and Vibrante Green. Not all trims are available in all colors. The special edition Yacht Club Capri is only available in Blu Venezia with matching alloy wheels. The Al-Fresco retracting soft top is available in red, gray, and black, depending on the exterior paint. The Yacht Club Capri is the only trim with a blue Al-Fresco top, a hue that's not available for any of the other 500Xs. The five discontinued paint colors are Arancio Orange, Beige Cappuccino, Blue Sky Metallic, Grigio Argento, and Passione Red.

The four-door Fiat 500X does not look like a performance car. Not by a long shot. So it would be silly to expect it to launch like a Subaru WRX STI and top out at 200 mph. That being said, this little Italian does have some pep in its step. The 500X will do the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 8.5 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and on par with a 2022 Jeep Renegade. Its small 1.3-liter turbocharged engine and low curb weight afford the 500X nippy acceleration, which is perfect for city driving. It can reach a top speed in excess of 110 mph, but don't expect much more. In terms of towing capacity, the little Fiat will haul 2,000 lbs - half of what the AWD Jeep Renegade can manage. The good news is that all Fiat 500X models are equipped with AWD as standard, whereas many competitors make you pay extra

The 2020 Fiat 500X was the first to get the 1.3-liter turbocharged four-pot engine, dropping the old 1.4-liter turbo and 2.4-liter naturally aspirated options. This gutsy little engine produces 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque and sends its power to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. With only 3,305 lbs to haul around town, one would think these specs would be enough. Unfortunately, this much-maligned ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic fails this little engine horribly; cruising around town feels fine, but as soon as a certain gear or a spurt of acceleration is demanded, the auto transmission falls flat on its face. This gearbox regularly hunts for gears, and you'll start nodding off before it gives you the one you're looking for. However, once the car gets going, it feels sprightly. Still, the extended delay waiting for the right gear causes a disconnected feeling, and forget about "manual mode" - the 500X basically ignores any physical instruction.

On paper, the Fiat 500X seems like a fun little car to drive; its low curb weight and 177-hp turbocharged engine scream cornering fun, but in the real world, it falls flat on its face. This is disappointing, as other subcompact crossovers such as the Mini Countryman offer some impressive driving dynamics. Around town, the 500X does an acceptable job of soaking in bumps despite feeling rather stiff, and it remains stable when cruising on the highway. Once you hit the twisty bits, however, the car starts to show its true colors. There's significant body roll at speed and a feeling that the body and suspension setup struggle with weight transfer. In terms of steering feel, the 500X doesn't communicate much, though it is precise enough, and you won't have any problem pointing the front wheels in the direction of your choice. The standard AWD system provides good grip, but don't expect massive off-road performance. Fiat's claim of the 500X being "fun to drive" simply isn't true.

The 1.3-liter turbocharged engine is relatively new to the scene and provides more torque than the 1.4-liter that was dropped in 2019. New engines are naturally expected to be more efficient, but this is not so true for the 1.3L unit in the 500X: the EPA rates that the 500X will return a middling 24/30/26 mpg city/highway/combined, which is down from the old 1.4-liter engine which, in its most efficient configuration, could deliver 25/33/28 mpg. The 500X is a touch more fuel-efficient than the 4WD Jeep Renegade with the same engine, though, which gets 23/29/26 mpg. The Fiat will only drink premium unleaded fuel, and with a fuel capacity of 12.7 gallons, will get you 330 miles out of Dallas before running dry.

If you were impressed with the exterior design, wait until you see the interior of the 500X. This little pretend-SUV brings an iconic flavor to its cabin that is difficult to match, with the Mini Countryman being the only other competitor with a genuinely iconic interior design. Step inside, and you'll be greeted by a color-keyed dash panel and a splattering of quality materials, with all important touchpoints offering a soft-touch feel. The dashboard has a clean layout, and all controls are easily reachable by both front seat occupants. The infotainment display is neatly molded into the dashboard. Our only complaint would be the busy steering wheel. Those with big hands could struggle with the plethora of mounted buttons.

Fiat claims that the 500X will accommodate five adults, but you'll only get four to sit comfortably in reality. The legroom in the front is a solid 41.4 inches, and headroom is decent too, so six-footers won't have any problem getting comfortable. The front seats offer good support, are well-cushioned for longer trips, and offer six-way manual adjustability. The Trekking Plus gets 12-way power-adjustability (including four-way lumbar control), which is also available across the range, except for the base model. Passenger space in the rear isn't massive, but with 34.8 inches of legroom, the average-sized adult should find trips to the mall bearable. With a relatively high driving position, visibility is good in the front and back.

The first thing that grabs your attention as you step inside the 500X is the signature contrasting panel that stretches across the dashboard. In some trims, this panel matches your chosen exterior color and is a breath of fresh air in a world of dark and somber interiors. On the special edition Yacht Club Capri, it's finished in woodgrain. The 500X offers a lot of soft-touch materials across the cabin, and the cloth upholstery found standard on all but the leather-trimmed Trekking Plus feels like it will stand up to a lot of abuse. The 500X can be had in your choice of Black or Avorio (ivory) cloth or leather upholstery depending on the trim selected, and all models get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob. The Sport model gets special touches, such as a set of alloy pedals. The Yacht Club Capri looks different inside, with bespoke, model-specific ivory leather seats with blue piping, a satin-finished gear shifter with woodgrain insert, a Yacht Club Capri plaque on the center console, and the contrasting dash insert in a woodgrain finish.

The Fiat 500 family of cars are no longer comparable to a Smart car in terms of physical size and now offer more passenger and cargo room than ever, but the 500X still can't match its competitors when it comes to trunk size. With 14.1 cubic feet of space, the 500X falls way behind the Jeep Renegade, which supplies 18.5 cubic feet. That is still enough for a trip to the shops, and if more space is needed, the rear seats can fold down in a 60/40 split for a total of 39.8 cubes. All but the base model also get a reversible and height-adjustable cargo floor. Small items can be stored in the front glove box, and the door pockets both in the front and back provide enough space for large bottles. There are two cupholders in the front, as well as a small storage nook for a set of keys or cell phone. In the back, you get a passenger-side seatback map pocket.

The list of standard features gets progressively more impressive as you climb up the trim ladder. The base model impresses with standard features such as keyless entry, a (manually tilting/telescoping) leather-trimmed steering wheel and shifter, and remote start. You also get six-way manually adjustable front seats and standard air conditioning. Driver-assistance features include stability control with roll mitigation, a ParkView back-up camera, cruise control, and hill-start assist. The Trekking upgrades the black and white 3.5-inch cluster display to a color screen. The Trekking Plus adds premium features such as dual-zone climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 12-way power-adjustable leather seats with heating, ambient interior lighting, and front and rear parking sensors. For an additional $1,395, the Advanced Driver Assistance package adds adaptive cruise control, auto high-beam control, blind-spot and cross-path detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and rain-sensitive window wipers - but it's not available on the base Pop trim.

A seven-inch display is standard across the range and feels relatively small, but the excellent Uconnect 4 system makes up for that with an easy-to-navigate menu system and an intuitive overall user experience. However, we found that this system's voice control and Bluetooth connectivity were not as sharp as other Uconnect systems. All trim levels feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, three USB ports (two front and one rear), and a 12-volt power outlet. SiriusXM is standard on all but the base model. Sound is channeled through a decent six-speaker system sound system or an eight-speaker system in the Trekking Plus.

Fiat isn't the first name that pops up when talking about vehicle reliability ratings, but as it turns out, the 500X is pretty dependable: neither the 2022 nor the 2021 models have been recalled once, and the 2020 car saw a single recall for a faulty right rear brake caliper. Fiat will back its 500X with a four-year/50,000-mile basic and drivetrain warranty, a five-year/unlimited-mile corrosion warranty, and four years of roadside assistance.

There is no NHTSA review of the Fiat 500X so information is limited. Luckily, there are IIHS reviews for the 2021, 2020, and 2019 models, which found that the car has a strong roof and offers good front crash prevention features but poor headlights. However, there are more extensive safety evaluations of the 2018 model, which shares the same platform. If anything, the more recent iteration, with its updated features, should be even safer.

Despite its lack of extensive safety information in the USA, the 500X still comes with a solid list of contemporary safety features and active driver-assistance tech that should keep you on the road and in one piece. You get seven airbags in base form, including a driver's-side knee airbag and side curtain airbags. All models come with cruise control, stability control with electronic roll mitigation, a ParkView rear view camera, and hill-start assist. Front and rear park assist are standard on the Trekking Plus. The Trekking, Sport, and Trekking Plus models are offered with an optional Advanced Driver Assistance package, which, for $1,395, adds tech such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot and cross-path detection, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning.

When the retro Fiat 500 first entered the American market, people were charmed by its cutesy looks but weren't bowled over by its driving dynamics. It seems that very little has changed since then. The Fiat 500X, which is a larger, more practical car with crossover looks and a lifted ride height, retains its charming European design flair but fails to impress almost everywhere else. The interior is one of the most stylish in its class, and it makes use of quality materials, but that's pretty much where the good ends. The nine-speed automatic transmission drains the life out of the turbocharged 1.3-liter engine, and the overall driving experience is wonky and wobbly at best. The 500X is not as practical as competitors such as the Jeep Renegade and Honda HR-V, which offer more space. It's not the worst buy out there but should only be entertained if style means more than substance to you.

The price of the new Fiat 500X starts at $26,215 for the base Pop model. This price does not include tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,495. The Trekking will cost you $27,350, and the Sport will set you back $28,205. The Trekking Plus just breaks the $30k mark at $31,455. Fully specced, the Trekking Plus will cost you around $35k. The special-edition Yacht Club Capri's MSRP is $32,605. The Jeep Renegade, by comparison, starts at only $22,495 for the FWD model and $24,095 for the AWD.

There are five trims in the 2022 Fiat 500X range: Pop, Trekking, Sport, Trekking Plus, and the Yacht Club Capri Edition. Regardless of the trim, they all share the exact same mechanical package - a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 177 hp mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission and driving all four wheels.

The base model is the Pop and on the outside, it has 17-inch alloy wheels, halogen headlights (with auto-off), and LED daytime running lights and tail lights. Inside, it has cloth upholstery, a six-way manually adjustable driver's seat, a manually tilting/telescoping steering column, a leather trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, keyless entry, air-conditioning, a 3.5-inch monochrome driver-information display, cruise control, and a stop/start feature. The infotainment system has a seven-inch touchscreen, smartphone integration, three USB ports, Bluetooth streaming, and a six-speaker audio system. Safety features include seven airbags, stability control with roll mitigation, hill-start assist, and a backup camera.

The Trekking trim adds different 17-inch alloys, a more aggressive, off-road-style front bumper treatment, and fog lights. Extra equipment include automatic on/off headlights, illuminated vanity mirrors, a reversible and height-adjustable cargo load floor, a 3.5-inch color driver-information display, more premium interior finishes, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to a lot more optional extras, such as dual-zone climate control and advanced driving-assistance features.

The Sport trim has a sportier appearance with a more aggressive front bumper, large air intakes incorporating fog lights, a body-color chin spoiler and body kit, two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, and blacked out exterior trim such as the grille crossbar, mirrors, and door handles. Inside, it has sports bucket seats with premium cloth upholstery, sports front and rear floormats, alloy pedals, a black headliner, and a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel.

The limited-edition Yacht Club Capri is based on the Sport trim and shares most of its equipment, but on the outside it is differentiated by its exclusive Blu Venezia paintwork, two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels color-coded to the paintwork, the standard blue Al-Fresco retractable folding soft top, brushed-chrome door handles and mirrors, and "Yacht Club Capri" exterior badging. Inside, it comes as standard with ivory leather upholstery with blue piping, a model plaque on the center console, and the dashboard panel in a woodgrain finish.

The Trekking Plus is the only trim to get LED headlights and fog lights. It also gets unique 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, 12-way electrically adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, ambient interior lighting, a cargo-compartment cover, a driver's-side seatback pocket, navigation, front and rear parking sensors, and an eight-speaker audio system.

There is a solid number of optional extras available across the 500X range, with some packages reserved for the top trims. The base model can be optioned with the $300 Pop Value Package, which adds auto headlamps, a Beats premium sound system, tinted windows, rear park assist, the Popular Equipment Group, and SiriusXM radio. The $795 Sport Appearance Package is another option for the Pop, and adds styling features such as fog and cornering lamps and a sport fascia. The Sport is eligible for the $1,395 Advanced Driver Assistance Group package, which adds adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and cross-path detection. This year, the Al-Fresco retractable soft top that is standard on the Yacht Club Capri is optionally available for $1,000 on all the other trims. It is a full-size soft top that, when retracted, leaves most of the roof open for almost a convertible-type open-air feel.

With only $5,240 separating the Trekking Plus from the base model, you might as well go for the range-topper. Not only will you gain the respect of your friends and family, but the Trekking Plus also comes equipped with a few handy features not found on the rest of the range. These include LED headlights, heated leather seats with 12-way power-adjustability, dual-zone climate control, and two extra speakers for the sound system. The Trekking Plus is also easier to park thanks to front and rear parking sensors, and finding your way to the local Wholefoods is made easier thanks to standard navigation.

It might not look so, but the Jeep Renegade is the 500X's biggest competitor. It all starts to make sense when you realize that these cars share a ton of parts. The Jeep is powered by the same turbocharged 1.3-liter engine with 177 hp and uses the same clumsy nine-speed automatic transmission. On the road, both cars offer the same roly-poly driving feel that does little to inspire confidence. Inside, the Jeep can't match the Fiat's design flair, but it looks good in its own rugged way, and the number of standard features on offer is more or less the same. The Jeep is a much more capable off-roader and offers more cargo capacity, making it the more practical daily driver. All of this, combined with a significantly lower starting price, makes the Jeep the more logical choice.

The Kia Soul does much the same job as the 500X, but the high-value Korean does a lot of things better too. For starters, its starting price is a lot lower at only $19,190 and although the base engine has only 147 hp, a 201-hp turbocharged engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is available with far superior performance for less than $28,000, which is less money than what a mid-range 500X Sport costs. For that, the Soul loses out on AWD, but has a lot more luggage space, LED headlights, a big 10.25-inch infotainment screen, HD radio, a Harman Kardon audio system, electric seat adjustment, and even a head-up display. Unless you absolutely needs the 500X's AWD system, the Soul is far better value and cuts a stylish figure all its own.