2020 Fiat 500X

Three years back, when Fiat first launched the 500X in the States, it did create a significant buzz among 500's purists. In the first two years, the 500X witnessed a halthy conversion of the hype into significant sales numbers, winning some hearts around the states. However in the followings years, the sales chart displayed a steep decline. The update for the 2020 500X comes as Fiat's move to counter the situation and gain some grip on the hot crossover tarmac.

Talking about updates, there's a lot going on with this cute crossover. The revisions are mostly cosmetic with the only significant mechanical upgrade being the new and more powerful, turbocharged 1.3 liter inline-4 engine. Among the cosmetic treatments, the 2020 Fiat 500X gets a revised front and rear end, redesigned gauge cluster and interior theme, enhanced tech parcel and better safety equipment. The wheels have been redesigned too for the 2020 model year. Apart from these, everything else remains mostly the same.

Nonetheless, the 500X has always been on the funkier and cooler side of the crossover table, thanks to the preserved sheet metal of the iconic 500. However, does the change theory, pump in enough confidence in the 2020 Fiat 500, to lock horns with the likes of Mazda CX-3, Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax and the Mini Countryman ? Well, that remains an interesting aspect to look forward to.

Among the major changes in the 2020 Fiat 500X is the revision of trim levels. The Lounge trim is gone and two new trim levels, Blue Sky Edition and Trekking Plus add up. What's also revised is the pricing for the new model. The 2020 Fiat 500X starts with $24,490 for the base Pop variant, up by $4495 from the previous year's base model. The extra $4495 premium over the previous model year, does bring in some healthy packaging. All the trims now get AWD as standard, minor tweaks on the inside and the outside, along with a refined and powerful engine, standard across all trims.

Trims	Pop	Blue Sky Edition	Trekking	Urbana Edition	Trekking Plus
MSRP	$24,490	$25,685	$25,995	$26,890	$29,195
Engine	1.3 Liter Inline-4	1.3 Liter Inline-4	1.3 Liter Inline-4	1.3 Liter Inline-4	1.3 Liter Inline-4
Features	4-wheel ABS	Adds to Pop -	Adds to Blue Sky-	Adds to Trekking -	Adds to Urbana -
	Turn signal mirrors	Dusk sensing headlamps	Cornering lights	LED headlamp	8 speaker Beats premium audio
	Post-collision safety system	Auto delay off headlamps	Front fog/driving lights	Sunroof & Beats Package	Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror
	Rear view camera	Quick Order Package 22C	Satellite radio with 12 months of provided service	Premium cloth interiors	Front and rear parking sensors
	Traction control		Uconnect 4 Nav w/7" Display		Multi level heated front seats
	Cloth interiors		Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats		Leather interiors
	17 inch wheels		18 inch wheels		8 -way power driver's seat with power adjustable lumbar support
	Cruise control		Black Roof Rails
	Heated mirrors
	Hands-free entry
	Stability control
	6 -way manual front seat adjustments
	Tilt and telescopic electric power steering

What we recommend?

We suggest picking up the mid-specked Trekking trim, pegged at  $24,495. The Fiat 500X is not a premium sub-compact crossover. It would be very unfair to ecpect Mercedes GLA or Lexus UX level fit and finish in this little beauty. The Trekking trim provides great value for money in this class with all the bells and whistles that you would expect at this price point.

Powering the 2020 Fiat 500X is a 1.3 liter turbocharged inline-4 cylinder, that is standard across all trims. Mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, the engine produces an ample 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque, enough for a vehicle of this size. With 35% better low-end torque in comparison to the previous standard powertrain, this new and refined engine, intensifies the driving pleasure of the new 500X.

Models	Fiat 500X Pop	Mazda CX-3 Sport	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mini Countryman
MSRP	$24,490	$20,390	$23,200	$21,300	$26,900
Engine	1.3 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	1.4 Liter Inline-4	1.4 Liter Inline-4	1.5 Liter Inline-3
Transmission	9-speed automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed shiftable automatic	6-speed manual
Horsepower	177 hp	148 hp	138 hp	138 hp	134
Torque	210 lb-ft	146 lb-ft	148 lb-ft	148 lb-ft	162

Power delivery is smooth and crisp, and the engine never feels hazy, at any point of time. Try to push the engine harder and you do feel that extra torque punching in at every such instant, especially at city speeds. Driving this 2020 Fiat 500X is sheer fun. However, what lets this peppy crossover down is the laggy 9-speed automatic transmission. The shifts are smooth but they are certainly not as snappy as the Mazda CX-3 or the Mini Countryman, especially the downshifts. Every time you make a downshift, there is a noticeable lag in the communication between the engine and the transmission. It's only when you put it into sport mode, the transmission gets some fluidity, diminishing the lag to a larger extent, but not completely though.

Acceleration

Even with a hindering transmission and technically, the smallest engine among the competition, the 2020 Fiat 500X is way quicker than others in the lot. To substantiate that claim, the closest to 500X’s 7.5 seconds 0-60 sprint, is the Mazda CX-3, which takes 8.2 seconds to race from 0-60.

Models	Fiat 500X Pop	Mazda CX-3 Sport	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mini Countryman
0-60 MPH	7.5 sec	8.2 sec	10.3 sec	9.6 sec	9.3
Quarter mile	15.7 sec	16.3 sec	17.5 sec	17.1 sec	17.1
Engine	1.3 Liter Inline-4	2.0 Liter Inline-4	1.4 Liter Inline-4	1.4 Liter Inline-4	1.5 Liter Inline-3
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	6.8	5.7	6.5	6.3	6.3

Equipped with the most powerful engine among its rivals, and an efficient, standard AWD, its not very surprising to see the 2020 Fiat 500X, resting at the top of the acceleration table. Noteworthy to mention, is the fact that the 500X, puts up all this show, carrying the heaviest skin among the competition.

Ride and Handling

Take the 2020 Fiat 500X out for a spin, and it delivers just what you would expect from any Europen product. The ride quality is decent with the fairly absorbent suspension, soaking up most of the road imperfections pretty well. Although the 500X does not inherits the DNA of a vigorous sports car, but it beholds a significant sporty persona within itself.

The lightweight steering is precise and very nicely weighed, providing easy maneuverability and the improved torque along with the standard AWD, keeps this nimble yet aggressive machine planted around corners with minimal body roll.

Braking

Just likew its zippy engine and substantial handling, the 2020 Fiat 500X, doesnt disappoints in braking as well.To tame its underlying sporty persona, along with a multitude os modern safety equipments, Fiat has also bundled the 2020 500X with discs at all four corners. Braking apparatus, is superb in this Fiat. The pedal feels good and rewards you with authoritative confidence, every time you push it down.

Model	Fiat 500X Pop	Mazda CX-3 Sport	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mini Countryman
Brake Front (in.)	12.0	11.6	11.8	11.8	NA
Brake Rear (in.)	11.0	11.1	10.6	9.0	NA
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3305	2952	3237	3124	3300
60-0 MPH (ft.)	130	118	122	119	NA

The 500X's 60-0 stopping distance of 130 feet might not be the most impressive, but keeping in mind its chunkier mass and turbocharged engine, the brakes do an excellent job.

The revised engine not only adds up extra punches to the 2020 Fiat 500X line-up but also more miles per gallon. The standard all-wheel drive across all trims features a disconnecting rear axle, enhancing the fuel economy from its earlier model. As a result of these new tweaks, the new 500X delivers a combined economy of 26 mpg.

Model	Fiat 500X Pop	Mazda CX-3 Sport	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mini Countryman
MPG (city)	23	29	26	25	24
MPG (highway)	29	34	31	33	33
MPG (combined)	26	31	28	28	28

The 500X's fuel economy might be the least in the lot, but is healthy, talking into account its turbocharged 177 hp engine. It's the Mazda CX-3, which outshines others with its impressive 31 mpg combined economy. Thanks to its humble powertrain, comparatively shorter proportions and better aerodynamics.

Seating and comfort

The cool factor of the 500X's exterior is also carried forward to the neatly laid out interior with body colored accents on the dashboard. The seats are comfortable with adequate padding and good support, and the optional leather upholstery feels soft to touch. Front seats offers decent shoulder and leg room and are 6-way manually adjustable. However taller passengers, even in the front seats might cry for a better headroom. On the rear seats, the taller passengers ordeal, further intensifies, thanks to the sub-compact dimensions leading to cramped space at the rear. Although the rear bench flags three headrests, but fitting a third person in there would be nothing less than a tight affair.

Model	Fiat Pop	Mazda CX-3 Sport	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mini Countryman
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	39.1/54.3/41.4	38.4/53.5/41.7	39.6/54.2/40.8	39.6/54.1/40.8	39.9/54.8/40.4
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.8/52.8/34.8	37.2/50.4/35.0	38.8/52.5/35.8	38.8/52.8/35.7	37.5/54.0/37.6

Almost all the vehicles in the competition here, offer similar space around the front and second row of seats, and thats totally perfect. Because of their shrinked proportions, the sub-compact class vehicles were never intended to be a roomy affair. In the case of sub-compact crossovers, you dont get one of these for practicality, you probably own one of these to taste both sides of the bar at the same time, which here, is the agility of a hatchbach and the capability of an SUV, and not practicality of an SUV.

Interior Features

• 6 way manually adjustable driver and passenger seat with height adjustments
• Split folding rear seatbacks
• One touch power windows
• External temperature display
• Tilt and telescopic electric power steering with audio and cruise controls
• Turn signal in mirrors
• Keyless ignition and hands free entry
• Air conditioning
• Dual illuminating vanity mirrors

Infotainment

.Sadfully though, the 2020 Fiat 500X misses out on the Fiat-Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system. In consolation, the small 7.0 inch touchscreen infotainment on offer does pack in most of the infotainment technology and driver assistance system that you would need while your daily drive. In case if you feel that the 2020 500X has a shorter standard equipment list, you always have the liberty to pick your desired stuff from the available options list.

• 6 total speakers
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• USB connection with external media controls
• Auxiliary audio input
• Satellite radio
• AM/FM stereo
• Optional Navigation system
• Optional Beats surround sound system

Cargo

What the 2020 Fiat 500X offers behind its second row of seats is a 12.2 cu-ft of cargo space, which is the smallest among the vehicles in consideration here. Yes ! Sub-compact crossover it is. Every expectation of generous space and practicality in the 500X, was very likely to bite the dust. No surprise in that, as is the case with most of the sub-compact cars. These gentle creatures are not an ideal companion for your weekend shopping.

Model	Fiat 500X Pop	Mazda CX-3 Sport	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mini Countryman
Cargo Volume (cu-ft)	12.2	12.4	18.8	18.7	17.6

Surprisingly though, the two GM siblings, Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trax offer 18.8 and 18.7 cu-ft of cargo space respectively. Its trheir comparatively taller proportions, allowing for more room inside, that helped them achieve this feat.

Dimensions and Weight

Belonging to the line of small SUVs and crossovers, the 2020 Fiat 500X SUV offers a spunky exterior look with its ruggedness and classic cues.

Model	Fiat 500X Pop	Mazda CX-3 Sport	Buick Encore 1SV	Chevrolet Trax LS	Mini Countryman
Curb weight (lbs.)	3305	2952	3237	3124	3300
Length(in)	167.2	168.3	168.4	167.6	169.8
Width(in)	75.5	69.6	70.1	69.9	71.7
Height(in)	63.7	60.7	65.3	64.9	61.3
Ground clearance (in)	7.9	6.1	6.2	6.2	6.5
Wheelbase (in)	101.2	101.2	100.6	100.6	105.1
Track width (in) F/R	60.7/60.7	60.0/59.9	60.6/60.6	60.6/60.6	62.4/62.5

The 2020 Fiat 500X SUV is a mix-match of dimensions when compared to its rivals, as it is the shortest in length, has the most width and the highest ground clearance. It also shares the largest wheelbase with the Mazda, which is the least wide, shortest and has the lowest ground clearance. The Buick is the heaviest among the four other than being the longest and tallest. It shares the smallest wheelbase as the Chevrolet, which is the lightest of all.

Exterior Features

• Privacy glass
• Rear defogger, rear spoiler and rear window wiper
• Variable intermittent wipers
• Cornering lights and daytime running lights
• Dusk sensing headlamps
• Front fog lights and driving lights
• Ventilated front disc brakes and solid rear disc brakes
• Turn signal mirrors

Stability control, rearview camera and hill start assist are some of the standard safety features in the 2020 Fiat 500X SUV. Opting for the Advanced Safety Package adds lane departure warning and forward collision warning systems, rear cross traffic detection, blind spot monitors and automatic emergency braking.

• Airbags Personal Safety System for driver and front passenger includes dual-stage front airbags,1 safety belt pretensioners, safety belt energy-management retractors, safety belt usage sensors, driver's seat position sensor, crash severity sensor, restraint control module and Front-Passenger Sensing System
• Airbag Driver's knee1
• Airbags Front-seat side1
• Airbags Side-curtain1
• AdvanceTrac electronic stability control
• Belt-Minder front safety belt reminder
• Child-safety rear door locks Perimeter alarm
• Remote Keyless Entry System with integrated keyhead transmitter remotes (2)
• SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System
• SOS Post-Crash Alert System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (excludes spare)

Mazda CX-3 SUV

Edgy styling and accurate handling are some of the attributes that give the Mazda CX-3 SUV its highly able avatar. The 2-liter 4cylinder engine and 6speed automatic transmission represent its power source. The groundbreaking weight reduction measures employed by Mazda along with its sport-tuned suspension are what make it a pleasure to drive. The cabin highlights some of the modern driving aids, and the use of high quality materials amplifies its appealing design. In comparison with the 2020 Fiat 500X SUV, it has a much lower engine output but has an equal acceleration. What makes it better than the Fiat is its braking power and fuel economy.

Buick Encore

Breaking all the stereotypes, the small yet powerful Buick Encore proves that even a small crossover can have the traits of a Big SUV. The stylish cabin and the quiet interiors are a perfect combination for a comfortable ride experience. The agile handling covers up for the lack of feedback in the steering. The 1.4-liter turbo 4 engine is inclined towards a more efficiency rather than performance. When compared with the 2020 Fiat 500X SUV, we find that the Buick lack tremendously in engine output but manages to pull off a better acceleration performance. It is as fuel efficient as the Fiat and has improved braking abilities.

Chevrolet Trax SUV

Even though it's not as adventurous as the name suggests, the Chevrolet Trax is definitely an exciting and fun to drive crossover. The spacious cabin and smooth ride quality isn't hindered upon by the 1.4 liter inline four engine. The suspension is tuned for comfortable terrains rather than sporty settings. An Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatible infotainment system features a 7-inch touch screen display. Up against the 2020 Fiat 500X SUV, the Trax has a less powerful engine and poor acceleration. The brakes are better and the fuel economy is similar.

The 2020 Fiat 500x is not a puppy faced SUV anymore. Updated with a smaller yet powerful 1.3L turbocharged engine, this peppy little ride now produces much better numbers than its predecessors. With updated interiors, Fiat has focussed over the creature comfort as well.

Though competition is tough but this SUV might attract people who'd love a compact yet spacious ride. A much better engine with standard AWD adds a little more spice to this SUV.