2018 Fiat 500X

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.

The 2018 Fiat 500X is 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. That’s the only way you can get a manual transmission in 500X except for the Blue Sky Edition.

Trims	Pop	Pop Blue Sky Edition	Trekking	Urbana Edition	Lounge
MSRP (FWD)	$19,995	$22,285	$23,685	$24,530	$25,515
MSRP (AWD)	$23,890	$25,085	$25,585	$26,430	$27,415
Features	Heated Power Exterior Mirrors ParkView Rear Back-Up Camera Apple Carplay and Android Auto 7-Inch Touchscreen Distinctive Blue Instrument Panel and Blue Patterned Cloth Seats	Satin Chrome Exterior Accents Dual-Pane Panoramic Power Sunroof 17-Inch Aluminum Wheels with Matte Black Accents Fog Lamps and Automatic Headlamps	17-Inch Aluminum Alloy Wheels Satin Chrome Exterior Accents Deep-Tinted Sunscreen Glass Automatic Headlamps	Miron (Metallic Iron) Painted Mirror Caps, Door and Tailgate Handles, Taillamp Surrounds, Skid Plate and Mopar Side Moldings 18-Inch Two-Tone (Matte Black and Miron) Wheels with Copper Center Caps Copper Exterior Accents, Dark Headlamps, and Black Roof Rails Black Castiglio Fabric Seats with a Chevron Design and a Copper and Black 500 Logo Distinctive Black Interior with Texturized Black Instrument Panel Fascia	17-Inch Aluminum Wheels Painted Matte Gray Heated Premium Cloth Front Seats and a Heated Steering Wheel Eight-Way Power Driver Seat with Four-Way Power Lumbar Adjustment

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 longer list of optional extras than the Pop trim.

“Power and handling aren't strong suits for the 2018 Fiat 500X. Its upgraded engine, which powers most models, is sluggish and comes with an ill-mannered automatic transmission. Despite this lethargic acceleration, there's no outstanding fuel economy gain. On the road, this small SUV feels planted, but its handling and ride are jarring and unrefined” – Cars.US News

Engine and Transmission

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	Jeep Renegade	Honda HR-V	Mazda CX-3
MSRP	$19,995	$17,995	$19,570	$20,110
Engine	1.4L I-4 MultiAir Turbo Engine	1.4-Liter I-4 MultiAir Turbo Engine	1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC I-4	2.0L SKYACTIV-G DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder
Transmission	6-speed manual	6-speed manual	6 speed manual	6-speed automatic
Power	160hp	160hp	141hp	146hp
Torque	184 lb.-ft.	184 lb.-ft.	127 lb.-ft.	146 lb.-ft.

The Fiat 500X and Jeep Renegade use the same powertrain, so it’s no surprise that they put out the same numbers. But Renegade is $2,000 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.

Acceleration

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.

Models	Fiat 500X	Jeep Renegade	Honda HR-V	Mazda Cx-3
0-60 MPH	8.5 sec	9.2 sec	9.3 sec	8.6 sec
Quarter mile	16.6 sec @ 82.3 mph	17.2 sec @ 80.0 mph	16.8 sec @ 80.9 mph	16.3 sec @ 83.3 mph
Engine	1.4L	1.4L	1.8L	2.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.3	6.8	6.3	5.7

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 0.7 seconds faster than Jeep Renegade, 0.8 seconds 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 16.3 seconds. The slowest is the Jeep Renegade with a time of 17.2 seconds.

Handling and Steering

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.

Braking

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 a refinement. The brakes feel grabby, especially at low speeds.

Model	Fiat 500X	Jeep Renegade	Honda HR-V	Mazda CX-3
Brake pads-front(in)	12.0	12.0	11.5	11.0
Brake pads Rear(in)	11.0	11.0	11.1	11.1
Curb Weight (lbs.)	2989	3056	2888	2809
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, and Honda HR-V takes the most distance of 127 feet.

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.

Model	Fiat 500X	Jeep Renegade	Honda HR-V	Mazda CX-3
MPG (city)	25	24	25	29
MPG (highway)	33	31	33	34
MPG (combined)	28	26	28	31

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. Honda HR-V and 500X show the same numbers.

“Interior space is sparse in subcompact SUVs, and the 2018 Fiat 500X is no different. Its back seat is small, and there isn't much room under the hatch. This won't matter if you mostly occupy the front seats, where you'll find a decent amount of room and a well-equipped infotainment system. The cabin design is stylish and materials are price appropriate – a mix of hard and soft panels throughout” – US News

Seating and Comfort

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, 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel.

Model	Fiat 500X	Jeep Renegade	Honda HR-V	Mazda CX-3
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume (ft.3)	118.6	100.1	100.1	86.3
Front (Head/Hip/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.1/53.3/54.3/41.4	41.1/53.1/55.9/41.2	39.5/53.1/56.8/41.2	37.6/52.3/53.5/41.7
Second (Head/Hip/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.8/52.2/52.8/34.8	40.5/51.9/55.1/35.1	38.3/47.4/54.5/39.3	37.2/49/50.4/35

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.

Interior Features

Here is a list of the standout features in the 2018 Fiat 500X’s cabin:

• 7-inch touchscreen
• Six speakers
• Rearview camera
• Heated and power-adjustable side mirrors

Infotainment

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 a satellite radio.

Cargo

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
Behind Second Row (ft.3)	14.1	18.5	24.3	12.4
Second Row Folded (ft.3)	50.8	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 50.8 cubic feet, same as the Jeep Renegade but 8 cubic feet less than the HR-V.

“Fiat wisely chose the sporty and cute 500 as inspiration for its most mainstream vehicle, and the new 500X may very well be the best-looking Fiat you can buy in the U.S. outside of the new Fiat 124 convertible. With nice proportions and just enough hints of the smaller 500 to make it interesting, the 500X is a sharp-looking compact-crossover SUV. Of the three versions available for 2018, the Trekking models look toughest with their pronounced front fascia that looks like something you'd see on a rugged SUV” – Kelley Blue Book

Dimensions and Weight

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.

Model	Fiat 500X	Jeep Renegade	Honda HR-V	Mazda CX-3
curb weight (lbs.)	2989	3056	2888	2809
Length (in)	167.2	166.6	169.1	168.3
Width (in)	79.7	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	60/59.9

Exterior Features

Some of the exterior features include:

• Bifunctional Halogen Projector Headlamps with the FIAT 500 logo
• Power and heated exterior mirrors
• Unique rectangular tail lamps

There is no dearth of Safety in the FIat 500X SUv and has been given handsome ratings by the IIHS. The NHTSA is yet to rate the SUV.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Ratings
Small Overlap Front Driver-side	Good
Passenger-side	n/a
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good
Front crash prevention	Advanced
Headlights	Poor
Child Seat Anchors(Latch)	Marginal

Some Safety Features include

• Blindspot monitoring
• Forward Collision Warning
• Parkview Rear backup Camera
• Parksense Rear park assist system
• 7 Airbags with ABS

Fiat 500X vs. Jeep Renegade

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 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.

Fiat 500X vs. Honda HR-V

Honda is known to be reliable and practical, and the HR-V is no different. Not only is it more reliable than a Fiat, but it also offers a better fuel economy, more rear seat area, and a larger cargo space – almost twice of what 500X has to offer.

Fiat 500X vs. Mazda CX-3

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 an easy and intuitive infotainment system would put it ahead of the competition, but its shortcomings like a disappointing automatic transmission, tight rear seat, and a stale 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.