With so many crossovers for sale in the UK, the Fiat 500X needs something special to help it stand out. And as its name suggests, that something is a retro look inspired by the evergreen Fiat 500 city car. But while the looks are similar, the 500X is a lot bigger, and it would suit somebody who likes the look of the 500, but needs a bit of added practicality.

Fiat claims that for 60% of buyers in the compact crossover class, styling is their primary motivation, and in that respect the 500X is a clever piece of design. Urban versions get smoother, sportier-looking front and rear bumpers, while upgrading to Lounge-spec offers bigger 17-inch alloy wheels and body-colored mirrors. Cross models have a more rugged appearance thanks to chunkier bumpers, visible underbody protection and roof rails. Finally, the newer Sport trim offers some racier touches and red detailing to emphasize the sporty looks, even if performance is no different from the rest of the range.

On the inside, the 500-inspired retro theme continues with colorful body-colored plastic inserts stretching right across the dash, and splashes of chrome on the door handles and vent surrounds. There’s a more three-dimensional feel, though, with the protruding instrument binnacle and the infotainment screen rising out of the dash. While the Urban cars get shiny body-color inserts on the fascia, giving the cabin a more premium feel, if you go for the Sport trim you get more utilitarian grey inserts which don’t do as much for the interior ambience.

The 500X is only available in a single body type, and it’s essentially a five-door hatchback in the pumped-up crossover style. It sits between the 500 and the 500L in terms of interior space, and should be big enough for most young families. The driving position is higher overall than the 500, but you sit in a lower, sportier position within the car. Rear passengers who are shorter than six-foot will have enough headroom and legroom, but if you're any taller it starts to become a squeeze. The boot is sized at 350 liters, expanding to 1,000 liters with the 60/40 split rear seats folded down.

The four-cylinder 1.3 FireFly engine has 150hp and comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard. It makes 150bhp with 270Nm of torque, and gives the 500X a 0-100km/h (62mph) time of 9.1 seconds and a 124 mph top speed. It's much peppier and punchier than the old E-TorQ unit, and suits the car very well.

The lower weight in the nose boosts the 500X's handling, and the Fiat feels agile for a high-riding crossover. On the right road, the handling is surprisingly sharp and there’s loads of grip, even if four-wheel drive is no longer offered. On the motorway the cabin is whisper quiet, too, making the car well suited to long trips. If you go for a model fitted with 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels, you may well notice the car fidget and shake more over poor surfaces.


Engine type: Inline 4 Turbo
Fuel Type: Petrol (Gasoline)
Displacement: 1.3 l (1332 cm3)
Power: 150 hp @ 5250 rpm
Torque: 270 Nm (200 lb-ft) @ 1850 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Layout: front engine, front wheel drive
Top speed: 200 km/h (124 mph)
Curb weight: 1320 kg (2910 lbs)
Average fuel consumption: 6.5 l/100 km (36 mpg US / 43 mpg UK)

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