Fiat 500X – first drive

Has the cheeky Fiat 500’s big brother, the 500X compact crossover, got the X Factor?

Fiat struck gold in 2007 with the launch of the 500. Its cute retro looks were an instant hit. The 500 family was further enlarged with the 500L and 500L MPW.

The 500L, and particularly the 500L MPW (or MPV), divide opinion when it comes to design. No such problem for the 500X, which is much better proportioned and actually looks like a bigger 500.

Surprisingly billed as “the best Fiat ever” by Fiat bosses at the launch (I think aficionados might take issue there), the 500X is a good car.

However, it’s as much a product of FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) as it is a Fiat, which many might argue is no bad thing in this case.

You see, FCA also owns Jeep, and the 500X has been developed alongside the new “baby” Jeep Renegade. In fact, the Fiat and its American cousin will be built alongside each other in southern Italy.

Having driven the Renegade and the 500X, there are similarities – most hidden – but especially inside. Both will be available in the UK in Spring 2015.

The Renegade is true to its heritage, offering genuine off-road capability, while the 500X will come in two versions – a chic ‘urban’ with front-wheel-drive and a more rugged 4×4 ‘off-roader”.

The urban version is designed to appeal to those with a “fun-loving, spirited, metropolitan outlook” and it’s available in Pop, Pop Star and Lounge trim levels.

The other, more hardy version, is for those with active adventures in mind and is available in Cross and Cross Plus specifications.

Fiat expects the vast majority of UK sales to be front-wheel-drive cars and the 500X range will start at £14,595, rising to £25,845.

I tried an “urban” petrol car fitted with the 1.4 Turbo MultiAir II engine and the range-topping “Cross Plus” with a 2.0-litre diesel. Other engine options are available too.

The diesel, mated with a 9-speed auto box, made for smooth, lazy, refined driving on country roads and the motorway. The 9-speed box sounds impressive, but it’s actually a tad underwhelming.

The suspension is a little stiff, but it’s when you go off-road that it becomes obvious why. The 4X4 500X made mincemeat of the off-road course available.

It’s not a mountain goat like the 4×4 Panda Cross we recently tested, but it is a more than competent soft-roader. Fiat also claims that it’s capable of 0-62mph in 9.8 seconds, 118mph top speed and 51.4mpg.

If the only time you’re likely to need four-wheel-drive is on those few days of the year when the weather turns nasty in winter, then stick with a Pop, Pop Star or Lounge specification.

The 500X was a car transformed when we tried one of these ‘urban’ versions fitted with the eager 1.4 petrol engine.

Suddenly it was more fun – something we’ve grown to associate with Fiats. Even though it has the same performance figures as the 2.0-litre diesel, the combination of the slick 6-speed manual gearbox and the punchy engine seemed to make progress much brisker, while economy is a claimed 41.7mpg.

The ‘urban’ version has more obvious 500 DNA than the ‘off-roader’. Outside there are no skid plates so it looks cuter, while inside there’s a colour-coded panel sweeping across the dash. The 4×4 is less colourful and more hard-wearing inside. More Jeep Renegade.

Just like the Renegade, the 500X is solid and well-built and the majority of the materials used are good quality. The leather seats are particularly comfy, everything falls to hand and there’s a decent amount of space and storage front and back.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the 500X is just a jacked-up, bloated 500. It’s a stylish crossover more than able of competing with the likes of the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, MINI Countryman and Skoda Yeti.

The higher spec 4x4s are a little pricey, but if most people opt for the FWDs, then not such an issue.

The basic Pop is cute and cheerful, but stripes and colour-coded wing mirrors can make all the difference, so it’s worth scanning the extensive options list.

Attractive, well made, stylish, spacious and good to drive, Fiat has hit the jackpot again with the latest addition to the 500 family. And yes, the 500X does have the X Factor.