Pop 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Pop 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Lounge 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Lounge 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Pop 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Urbana Edition 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Lounge 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Pop 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
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Trekking 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Pop 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Pop 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Pop 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 180 hp 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Overall Rating
The 2018 Fiat 500X is a subcompact SUV that stands out from most rivals for its looks as well as its intuitive and user-friendly infotainment system. If looks were all that mattered, the 500X would be on top of the list for the subcompact SUV section.
Based on the iconic design of the petite 500, the 2018 Fiat 500X is a subcompact SUV that stands out from most rivals for its looks as well as its intuitive and user-friendly infotainment system. If looks were all that mattered, the 500X would be on top of the list for the subcompact SUV section. But alas, its disappointing powertrain and tight backseat and cargo area put it towards the bottom of the list.
The 500X may have aced the looks and infotainment department, but there are many rivals out there who provide a better overall experience at a better value for money. With a starting price of $21,290, the Fiat 500X is one of the most affordable compact SUVs with quirky looks that would stand out from the sea of SUVs seen on the road.
As far as price goes, the Pop trim is nicely priced, but you'd be stuck with a manual transmission and the weaker engine. Opting for the 2.4-liter in the Pop trim raises its price to the Trekking trim, so we recommend the Trekking trim as it offers plenty of luxury and qualifies for convenience packages. It also has a long list of optional extras than the Pop trim.
Trekking 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Lounge 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Pop 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Trekking 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Lounge 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
Pop 4dr SUV (2.4L 4cyl 180 hp 9A)
The 2018 Fiat 500X is a subcompact SUV that stands out from most rivals for its looks as well as its intuitive and user-friendly infotainment system. If looks were all that mattered, the 500X would be on top of the list for the subcompact SUV section.
Based on the iconic design of the petite 500, the 2018 Fiat 500X is a subcompact SUV that stands out from most rivals for its looks as well as its intuitive and user-friendly infotainment system. If looks were all that mattered, the 500X would be on top of the list for the subcompact SUV section. But alas, its disappointing powertrain and tight backseat and cargo area put it towards the bottom of the list.
The 500X may have aced the looks and infotainment department, but there are many rivals out there who provide a better overall experience at a better value for money. With a starting price of $21,290, the Fiat 500X is one of the most affordable compact SUVs with quirky looks that would stand out from the sea of SUVs seen on the road.
The 500X starts at $20,000 and goes up to $27,500 for the Lounge AWD trim. The base Pop trim and the special Blue Sky Edition use a 1.4-liter I-4 along with a 6-speed manual transmission. All other trims use a 2.4-liter I-4 mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. FWD is standard, but AWD is optional for an extra $1,900.
The 2018 Fiat 500X is a subcompact SUV that is offered in 3 trim levels and two special editions. The trim levels are Pop, Trekking, and Lounge. The two special editions are Urbana Edition and the Blue Sky Edition. The base Pop trim comes with a 1.4-liter four-cylinder paired to a 6-speed manual transmission.
Trims |
Pop |
Trekking |
Lounge |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP (FWD) |
$21,290 |
$24,980 |
$26,810 |
MSRP (AWD) |
$25,185 |
$26,880 |
$28,710 |
Key Features |
Heated Power Exterior Mirrors |
17-Inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels |
17-Inch Aluminum Wheels Painted Matte Gray |
|
ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera |
Satin Chrome Exterior Accents |
Heated Premium Cloth Front Seats and a Heated Steering Wheel |
|
Apple Carplay and Android Auto |
Deep-Tinted Sunscreen Glass |
Eight-Way Power Driver Seat with Four-Way Power Lumbar Adjustment |
|
7-Inch Touchscreen |
Automatic Headlamps |
|
|
Distinctive Blue Instrument Panel and Blue Patterned Cloth Seats |
|
|
All other trims come standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and comes optional in the Pop trim and Blue Sky Edition. Front-Wheel-Drive is standard, although All-Wheel-Drive is optional for trims with the 2.4-liter engine.
We Recommend
As far as price goes, the Pop trim is nicely priced, but you'd be stuck with a manual transmission and the weaker engine. Opting for the 2.4-liter in the Pop trim raises its price to the Trekking trim, so we recommend the Trekking trim as it offers plenty of luxury and qualifies for convenience packages. It also has a long list of optional extras than the Pop trim.
The base Pop trim of the 2018 Fiat 500X uses a 1.4L MultiAir Turbo Engine with Six-Speed Manual Transmission. This engine generates 160hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. The special Blue Sky Edition also uses this configuration. All other trims use a 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir 2 Engine with a 9-Speed Automatic transmission that generates 180hp and 175 lb-ft of torque.
FWD is standard, although AWD is available with the 2.4-liter engine. Although 500X's base engine is quite strong in comparison with the rivals, the main problem is 500X's 9-speed automatic transmission. It is jittery and has unrefined shifts.
Models |
Fiat 500X Pop |
Jeep Renegade Sport |
Honda HR-V LX |
Mazda CX-3 Sport |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$21,290 |
$20,245 |
$20,665 |
$21,085 |
Engine |
1.4L, Turbocharged Inline-4 |
1.4L, Turbocharged Inline-4 |
1.8L, Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 |
2.0L, Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 |
Transmission |
6-speed manual w/OD |
6-speed manual w/OD |
6-speed manual w/OD |
6-speed automatic w/OD |
Power |
160 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
160 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
141 hp @ 6,500 rpm |
146 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
Torque |
184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
184 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm |
127 lb-ft @ 4,300 rpm |
146 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm |
The Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade use the same powertrain, so it's no surprise that they put out the same numbers. But the Renegade is about $1,000 cheaper than the 500X. The Honda CRV 's base engine is the weakest in the competition, being 19hp weaker than 500X's engine. Even Mazda's 2-liter engine doesn't generate more power than 500X's base engine.
Except for the base Pop trim and special edition Pop Blue Sky trim, all 500X use Chrysler's 2.4-liter engine. The 1.4-liter engine is smoother than the 2.4-liter one, which feels slower than it shows on paper.
The automatic transmission also constantly feels like missing the right gear, which makes the 2018 Fiat 500X slower to accelerate, but the manual gearbox gets the job done just fine.
Models |
Fiat 500X |
Jeep Renegade |
Honda HR-V |
Mazda CX-3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
8.2 sec |
9.1 sec |
9.3 sec |
8.3 sec |
Quarter mile |
16.0 sec |
17.0 sec |
16.8 sec |
16.4 sec |
Engine |
1.4L, Turbocharged Inline-4 |
1.4L, Turbocharged Inline-4 |
1.8L, Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 |
2.0L, Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 |
Top Speed |
112 mph |
114 mph |
125 mph |
119 mph |
The 2.4-liter engine along with an unrefined transmission is slower than the 1.4-liter engine. Compared to the Renegade and Honda HR-V, Fiat 500X is considerably faster in the 0-60mph test. It is about a second faster than Jeep Renegade, over a second ahead of Honda HR-V, and just a millisecond ahead of Mazda CX-3. At the quarter-mile, Mazda takes over as the pack leader with a time of 16.0 seconds. The slowest is the Jeep Renegade with a time of 17.0 seconds.
When it comes to driving the 2018 Fiat 500X, there seems to be a flaw in every aspect. From handling to ride quality, and even the brakes, all areas require refinement.
The brakes feel grabby, especially at low speeds. Nonetheless, the braking distance is pretty good at 116 feet and is amongst the best in the competition.
Model |
Fiat 500X |
Jeep Renegade |
Honda HR-V |
Mazda CX-3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake Front (in) |
12.0 |
12.0 |
11.5 |
11.0 |
Brake Rear (in) |
11.0 |
11.0 |
11.1 |
11.1 |
Curb Weight (lbs) |
2,967 |
3,056 |
2,888 |
2,809 |
60-0 MPH (ft) |
116 |
126 |
127 |
117 |
Although the brake pedal feel is not up to the mark, the brakes themselves are quite capable. With a stopping distance of 116 feet from a speed of 60mph, Fiat 500X is quite ahead of the competition. Just like the Jeep Renegade, 500X uses a 12-inch brake rotor in the front and 11 inches in the back. But Renegade's added weight adds quite a distance in its panic stop test, almost 10 feet more than 500X. The Mazda takes a foot more than 500X, while the Honda HR-V travels the farthest.
The 500X feels relatively solid with minimal body movements. But its ride is skittish and loud. Although it is a subcompact SUV that shares its platform with the Jeep Renegade, the 2018 Fiat 500X is not suitable for rougher roads. The 9-speed automatic transmission is also unrefined which hampers smooth handling.
Overall, the ride quality is on the firmer side and uneven terrain makes for a cumbersome ride, but on a smoother tarmac, it is equally great. The car provides a good amount of grip and stability, even at high speeds with minimal body roll.
One aspect where the Fiat 500X is stomped upon by its competitors is the towing capacity. The 1,000 lbs of towing capacity of the 500X, that too with the larger engine and all-wheel-drive drivetrain is way lower even for the compact SUV segment in general as all others provide a lot more than that.
Model |
Fiat 500X |
Jeep Renegade |
Honda HR-V |
Mazda CX-3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Capacity (lbs) |
1,000 |
2,000 |
1,760 |
2,000 |
The Jeep Renegade and the Mazda CX-3 have the most grunt in terms of tugging prowess and thus at the front of the pack. The Honda HR-V isn’t too far behind with a capacity a bit lower than the aforementioned two, whereas the Fiat 500X provides half of what the Jeep and Mazda has to offer.
The 2018 Fiat 500X's base engine gets 25/33 mpg in city/highway. These numbers are about the class average. The larger 2.4-liter engine gets 22/30 mpg in city/highway with front-wheel drive. The city and highway numbers drop by 1 mpg if you upgrade to AWD. The sizable 13.2-gallon gas tank assists in achieving a decent rough driving range.
Model |
Fiat 500X |
Jeep Renegade |
Honda HR-V |
Mazda CX-3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
25 |
22 |
25 |
29 |
MPG (Highway) |
33 |
30 |
33 |
34 |
MPG (Combined) |
28 |
25 |
28 |
31 |
Fuel Tank Capacity |
13.2 gal |
12.7 gal |
13.2 gal |
12.7 gal |
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles) |
330 / 436 / 370 |
279 / 381 / 318 |
330 / 436 / 370 |
368 / 432 / 394 |
Even though 500X and Jeep Renegade use the same powertrain, Renegade's economy is a bit less than 500X's. The most economical is the Mazda CX-3 with 29/34 mpg in city/highway and also offers the longest range despite the marginally smaller fuel tank. Honda HR-V and 500X show the same numbers and also have an identical fuel tank which results in a similar driving range.
The 2018 Fiat 500X comes standard with cloth upholstery and 6-way power-adjustable seats. The buyers do get an option of upgrading to leather upholstery, an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.
For a vehicle this size, the 2018 Fiat 500X has a lot of interior space. The seats are roomy in the front, but tight in the second row. As the seat adjustments are quite restricted and thanks to the thick roof pillars, some drivers may struggle to find a comfortable driving position.
Model |
Fiat 500X |
Jeep Renegade |
Honda HR-V |
Mazda CX-3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
39.1 / 54.3 / 41.4 |
41.1 / 55.9 / 41.2 |
39.5 / 56.8 / 41.2 |
37.6 / 53.5 / 41.7 |
Second Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
37.8 / 52.8 / 34.8 |
40.5 / 55.1 / 35.1 |
38.3 / 54.5 / 39.3 |
37.2 / 50.4 / 35.0 |
There is very little to differentiate at the front between all these cars in terms of legroom, but all do offer different levels of headroom. At the rear, things are very different as every car has its own plus points. On the whole, the Honda HR-V has the most spacious cabin with abundant front and rear seat space as compared to other cars here.Â
The standard infotainment system in the 2018 Fiat 500X consists of a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, and six speakers. The Uconnect system is user-friendly and the physical controls are straightforward, although it isn't as straightforward as you'd find in other FCA vehicles like Jeep and Dodge. Still, it is easy to learn and has enhanced smartphone integration, which is a welcome addition. The optional upgrades include Beats premium audio system with eight speakers and satellite radio.
The Fiat 500X has one of the smallest cargo areas in the subcompact SUV class. But there are a few features that expand the storage. The rear 60/40 split seats, as well as the front passenger seat, fold down to increase cargo space. All models except the base model have a split-level cargo floor which offers extra storage under the floor panel.
Model |
Fiat 500X |
Jeep Renegade |
Honda HR-V |
Mazda Cx-3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Volume with the rear seat upright (cu-ft) |
14.1 |
18.5 |
24.3 |
12.4 |
Volume with rear seat folded (cu-ft) |
39.8 |
50.8 |
58.8 |
44.5 |
As far as boot space goes, the only rival that does worse than the Fiat 500X is the Mazda CX-3 with just 12.4 cubic feet of storage. Honda HR-V has the biggest boot space. After folding down the second-row seats, Fiat 500X expands its storage to 39.8 cubic feet, which again is the worst amongst the competitors.
The Fiat 500X does remind you of the 500 hatchbacks, no matter from which angle you look at it. The unorthodox looks are something that many might not be a fan of, but some dig the quirky styling which often misses out on the modernity that one might find on its peers, like LED headlamps and tail lights.
Nonetheless, it still offers exterior features like heated exterior mirrors, Heated Wiper Park, and Fully Automatic Projector Beam multi-function headlights to add convenience to the car.
Model |
Fiat 500X |
Jeep Renegade |
Honda HR-V |
Mazda CX-3 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
2,967 |
3,056 |
2,888 |
2,809 |
Length (in) |
167.2 |
166.6 |
169.1 |
168.3 |
Width (in) |
70.7 |
74.2 |
69.8 |
60 |
Height (in) |
63.1 |
66.5 |
63.2 |
60.7 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
7.0 |
6.7 |
7.1 |
6.2 |
Wheelbase (in) |
101.2 |
101.2 |
102.8 |
101.2 |
Track width (in) F/R |
60.9 / 61.0 |
60.6 / 60.6 |
60.4 / 60.6 |
60.0 / 529.9 |
The Fiat 500X is on the heavier side of the subcompact SUV class, but not as heavy as the Jeep Renegade, which weighs 67 pounds more than 500X. It is also the widest among the rivals. Although the 500X and Jeep Renegade are quite similar, the Renegade is taller but shorter and leaner than 500X.
There is no dearth of Safety in the new Fiat 500X and has been given handsome ratings by the IIHS. It is rated as ‘Good’ in most aspects of the tests conducted by the IIHS, whereas the NHTSA is yet to rate the SUV. Fiat has bundled in a decent amount of equipment to guarantee the safety of its passengers and some of those are listed below.
Jeep and Fiat are both FCA's brand and share the structure and engine options. The difference lies in the interior quality and capabilities.
The new Jeep Renegade handles off-roading way better than Fiat 500X. It also has a better interior, even if it lacks the Italian styling. Overall, the Renegade is a cheaper and better option than 500X.
Honda is known to be reliable and practical, and the HR-V is no different. Not only is the new Honda HR-V more reliable than a Fiat, but it also offers a better fuel economy, more rear seat area, and larger cargo space - almost twice what 500X has to offer.
The new Mazda CX-3 also suffers in the interior space department, just like the 500X. But CX-3 offers an engaging drive that feels powerful as well as controlled. It has a peppier engine that's quick right off the bat, and it feels much more planted while maneuvering on corners.
The 2018 Fiat 500X has just as many admirable qualities as it has shortcomings. Its distinctive style, great crash test scores, and easy and intuitive infotainment system would put it ahead of the competition, but its shortcomings like a disappointing automatic transmission, tight rear seat, and stable handling make a few rivals seem like a better buy.
The 500X is a decent deal for anyone looking for practicality over performance. But rivals like Honda HR-V and cousin Jeep Renegade offer a lot more at a more reasonable price. So before you make your mind up about buying a 500X, it's a good idea to look at some of the rivals. It may be appealing in a test drive, but a long-term experience is likely to be a frustrating one.