Fiat 500X Review 2014

Fiat 500X

Fiat 500X Review 2014 – Another Small SUV.

Looks Good, Drives Well, Does All You Need, Off-road Too.
Prepare For The Feminazi Storm When/If The Viagra TV Ad Runs.

For – cute, practical, much choice.
Against – Jeep Renegade for me.
**** out of 5, £25,845

TURIN, Italy – The 500X compact SUV looks like a muscled up version of the 500 mini car, and when the advertisement for the car appears on a TV screen near you, it will certainly grab your attention and might also engage your laughing gear.

The ad shows a Viagra pill somehow bouncing into the fuel tank of a delicate little 500 two-door city car, which then instantly bulks up into a macho, snarling four-door off-roader. Passing women raise eyebrows, overheat, and fan themselves at the sight of it.

No doubt Feminazi groups are already cranking up their protests at this gratuitous demeaning of the world’s women. This ad will grab attention, that’s for sure.

The 500X is the first joint vehicle made with the recently merged Chrysler company. The Jeep Renegade, which shares about 40 per cent of its parts with the 500X, trundles down the same production line in Melfi, central Italy. The Renegade is already on sale. I prefer its more rugged styling.

At the Balocco testing grounds close to Turin, Fiat unveiled the 500X, which will be powered by engines ranging from a 1.6 litre 110 hp gasoline motor through a 140 hp 2.0 litre diesel to a 170 hp turbo-charged petrol power-plant. Fiat is especially proud of its 9-speed automatic gearbox option, inherited from the Chrysler 200. Cheaper versions have front-wheel drive. Pricier ones are all-wheel drive. Prices start at £14,595. The 500X is more of a utility, family vehicle with basic off-road ability, while the Renegade offers a hard-core ability to roam the wild.

The 500x is available in urban, two-wheel drive versions, called Pop, Pop Star and Lounge and off-road 4×4 versions the Cross and Cross plus. There is much noise about connectivity, and options include a 6.5-inch Uconnect system with 3D navigation and Uconnect Live Smartphone.

Front-wheel drive, petrol-powered models are either equipped with a 110 hp, 1.6-litre engine with a five-speed manual gearbox or a 140 hp 1.4-litre with a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed twin-clutch transmission. The all-wheel drive petrol model has a nine-speed automatic transmission as standard, and is powered by a 170hp, 1.4-litre engine. The front-wheel drive diesel range consists of the 95hp, 1.3-litre, equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox, and the 120hp 1.6-litre with a six-speed manual. The four-wheel drive diesel option is the 140hp 2.0-litre, which will be available with a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission.

Protective skid plates
Ground clearance for all-wheel drive versions increases to 179 mm compared to 162 mm for front-wheel drive models. It is also equipped with specific bumpers and protective skid plates to protect the bodywork and mechanicals from the rigours of off-road use.

All the latest active safety systems are available. Highlight is a new “Brake Control” assisted braking system, which can intervene between speeds of 4 mph and 120 mph to apply emergency braking. The sensitivity can be adjusted to consider the driver’s preferences or can be disengaged.

The range starts with the Pop version which features 16″ wheels, cruise control, and manual air conditioning. Pop Star adds 17-inch alloy wheels and includes front fog lights with cornering illumination, automatic climate control and rear parking sensors, and the five-inch Uconnect infotainment system with Bluetooth, as well as a broader range of engine choices including the 1.6 120 hp and 1.4 140hp manual or automatic. Lounge versions offer dark tinted rear windows, adjustable cargo floor, and 18-inch wheels.

Cross versions include the Traction Plus system, dark tinted rear windows, roof bars, and chrome exhaust trims. The range-topping FIAT 500X Cross Plus adds things like bigger wheels and 3D navigation. Prices range from £14,595 for the 1.6 Pop 110hp to £25,845 for the 2.0-litre 140hp AT AWD Cross Plus.

How much would a shrewd buyer pay?
The 500X drove well with impressively tight steering, although the ride was a bit thumpy. The 9-speed automatic box was terrific, and the diesel engine powerful, smooth and responsive. The interior quality was acceptable, and the interior design was nice. And then there’s the price. I thought that a top of the range Fiat of this size and ability would cost around £20,000. Wrong by about £5,000. Given that in these straightened times, any price sought by a manufacturer is really an opening bid, maybe a shrewd buyer of this would actually pay closer to £20,000 than £25,000?

(Fiat provided hotel, flights)

	Fiat 500X 2.0 Cross Plus
Engine:	2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel
Power:	140 hp @ 4,000
Torque:	350 Nm @ 1,750
Gearbox:	9-speed automatic
Drive:	all-wheels
Acceleration:	0-62 mph-100 km/h – 9.8 seconds
Top Speed:	118 mph-190 km/h
Fuel Consumption:	51.4 mpg-5.5 l/km
CO2:	144 g/km
Emissions class:	EU6
Length:	4,248 mm
Width:	1,796
Height:	1,600
Weight:	1,495 kg
Wheel-base:	2,570
Suspension:	MacPherson/MacPherson
Boot capacity:	350/1,000 litres
Competition:	Jeep Renegade, Renault Captur, Nissan Juke, Suzuki SX4, Skoda Yeti, Mini Countryman 4x4, Vauxhall Mokka, Dacia Duster, Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3
Rating:	****
Price:	£25,845
For:	cute, practical, much choice
Against:	Jeep Renegade for me

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