BIGGER, BRIGHTER, BETTER
The 500X is now far-removed from its ancestor, says Carmel Stewart
First launched in 2015, the Fiat 500X followed in the tyre tracks of the highly successful 500. Its designers’ brief was unequivocal - make it the same but bigger and this they did.
This latest version is, say Fiat, more than a mere facelift. Sitting firmly in the ever popular, ever increasing, SUV crossover segment, the revised 500X is hoping to capture a bigger percentageof a very tough market.
To that end it has added six new safety features, more technology, new engines and new colours.
Its exterior styling has changed very little with tweaks to the bumpers and integrated LEDS front and back being the most obvious, with new wheel designs changing according to trim.
Inside, the dash has been tidied up a little and a redesigned steering wheel added. Additional materials, logos and colour trims have been included to extend the personalisation options and reinforce the branding.
New engines include the Firefly turbo 1.0litre, three-cylinder petrol unit, developing 120bhp with a six-speed manual transmission, and the fourcylinder 1.3litre turbo, 150bhp unit linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. The existing 1.6 litre, 110bhp petrol engine with a five-speed manual been upgraded and features stop/start as standard.
For the money, the 1.0litre powerpack is the best choice, with economy running at an average 48.7 mpg and co 2 emissions at1 39g/ km.
If an automatic is a must then the more expensive 1.3litre is the only option. It proved to be a smooth operator and clocked up 45.6 mpg in tests, buton-the road the 120bhp offered by the smaller engine was more than adequate to cope with the dayto-day traffic conditions. Handling of both was similar being composed, comfortable and readily manoeuvrable in towns and on motorways, although the suspension may be a little firm for some.
The revised 500X is available in three trims - new Urban, City Cross and Cross Plus - with the highest spec expected to be the best-seller. It also come with two body styles–the urban look and the Cross look.
Prices start at £16,995 for the Urban trim, powered by the 1.6litre 110bhp engine only, which at first glance may seem hefty but bear in mind there is a generous amount of kit across the range.
Standard spec on all trims includes traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed assist and lane assist as well as six air bags, electric parking brake and cruise control.
That all-important connectivity is standard across the range and is accessed via Fiat’s seven-inch touchscreen, with Bluetooth, Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility.
In addition, by downloading the free Uconnect LIVE app from the App Store or Google Play Store, drivers can negotiate the traffic while humming along to music streaming with Deezer and Tunein, listening to news from Reuters, and keeping in touch with friends via Facebookcheck-inandtwitter.
Eco:drive and my:car also allow drivers to monitor their driving style to improve the economy and running costs of theircar.thesystemcanbefurtherenhancedwithanoptional parkview rear parking camera and new Tomtom 3D integrated navigation system.