2020 Fiat 500X Road Test and Review

Fiat’s return to the American market after a multi-decade absence has not always gone smoothly. A big reason for that is Americans have moved away from small cars  — and cars in general for that matter — and the mainstay of the Fiat lineup is the latest iteration of the Fiat 500. The spiritual successor to the original and much-beloved “Cinquecento” small car, the current Fiat 500 does a nice job of capturing the original’s looks while bringing it up to date.

But the combination of low fuel prices and the SUV craze has served to limit sales of the diminutive 500, so now Fiat has taken up the old phrase “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” For the 2020 model year, it will discontinue the 500 hatchback to focus marketing attention on the 500X subcompact crossover. The 500X recently received a new engine that significantly improves its overall drivability. The heavily revamped 500X is filled with classic 500 styling fillips, and the brand expects that to be its secret ingredient versus the competitive Honda HR-V, Nissan Kicks, and Toyota CH-R.

The 2020 FIAT 500X’s exterior style is one of the best things about the vehicle. In a sea of crossovers that go to extremes to make a styling statement, the 500X leans back on the classic Fiat Cinquecento design, translated for use on a small SUV.

The vehicle’s “face” and front end is a nice translation of the Fiat 500’s looks adapted for the taller, bulkier crossover. Last year, the 500X received some freshening up, but the changes are minor. It sports 17- or 18-inch wheel designs, and the LED taillights got a facelift. The 500X’s dual-pane sunroof is available on all trim levels. The power-sliding panoramic roof has glass side panels that match the body-side sheet metal to lend a more spacious effect. The vehicle’s Trekking trim level adds more rugged styling with satin silver accents, and unique front and rear fascia designs to give a more distinct, adventurous look. But no one is going to mistake the 500X for a Jeep — despite the fact it and the Jeep Renegade share the same platform. 

Many of the crossovers in the subcompact class offer either incredibly bland, generic interiors, or they go all the way in the other direction with gimmicky styling designed to get attention. To our eyes, the Fiat 500X takes a middle ground in what we believe is one of the best overall interiors in the segment. It is completely functional, yet at the same time, it echoes the Cinquecento's past.

One very obvious bow to the classic interior styling is the large expanse of body-colored material that extends across the dashboard. A trio of round displays sits in the instrument nacelle, easily visible behind the steering wheel emblazoned with the fabled Fiat logo. The center of the dash is dominated by an infotainment display screen that somehow manages to fit into the retro theme, perhaps because it resembles an old car radio. Under the traditionally shaped adjustable vents are round knobs for adjusting the climate control. Despite the 500X’s small size, the vehicle is quite accommodating for four adults.

The 2020 FIAT 500X infotainment system benefits from the retro aspects of the interior design. For example, two familiar round knobs control the audio system.

As is the case with so many vehicles from FCA, Uconnect 4 is the infotainment’s “operating system.” The display is a 7-inch touchscreen that is the gateway for the sound system; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Bluetooth hands-free calling, voice command, and streaming audio; and SiriusXM radio. Dedicated navigation is available, but we guess that many 500X buyers prefer the nav functions of their phones. A BeatsAudio system is the vehicle’s premium sound system offering. It includes eight speakers and a subwoofer, and it offers high-quality sound reproduction and plenty of power.

Fiat execs admit that the engine in earlier editions of the FIAT 500X wasn’t well suited to American driving conditions and the expectations of American drivers. That’s why they are so excited about the potential of the 2020 500X, whose engine puts it on a much firmer footing.

The all-new 1.3-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine joined the lineup for 2019. It's fitted with the latest iteration of the FCA-exclusive MultiAir valve-actuation technology, called MultiAir III. In contrast to the previous engine that was noticeably lacking in torque, the new powerplant offers best-in-class torque, vastly improving the vehicle’s driving manners. The engine delivers 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of peak torque. Engine stop-start technology contributes to excellent fuel economy. The lone transmission is an extremely sophisticated nine-speed automatic, exceptionally rare in this class.

The 500X's engine swap is absolutely transformative. Previous editions of the 500X with the old engine felt weak and unresponsive. Fuel economy was OK, but all-around drivability was on the verge of dismal.

Now with the high-power, high-torque engine and the nine-speed automatic, the 500X is a joy to drive. While it’s designed as a crossover suv, its driving demeanor reminds you of a subcompact car. Its feel is enhanced by the fact that all 2020 500Xs are all-wheel drive. In normal conditions, the vehicle operates as a front-drive vehicle. Its all-wheel drive system uses a disconnecting rear axle to improve efficiency by reducing parasitic loss when the all-wheel drive is not needed. The system features a “dynamic selector” that allows drivers to choose the most suitable drive configuration for the driving conditions. The result is that the 500X offers superior all-weather handling.

The 2020 FIAT 500X offers a total of nearly 70 standard and optional advanced safety and security features. Standard equipment includes a variety of airbags — advanced multistage front airbags, driver’s side knee bolster airbags, supplemental front-seat-mounted airbags, and supplemental front and rear side-curtain airbags. An electric parking brake, LATCH child seat anchor system, electronic stability control, and electronic roll mitigation are also standard, as is a rearview camera.

The Advanced Driver Assistance Group, which is available on the two top trim levels, includes adaptive cruise control, a full-speed forward collision warning with active braking, a lane-departure warning with lane-keep assistance, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection systems, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and automatic high beams. Rear parking sensors are part of the Popular Equipment Package and Driver Assistance Group on the up-level Trekking and Trekking Plus trims.

The FIAT 500X offers expressive style and a very pleasant driving experience, but one of the costs is in interior space. The 500X just isn’t as big as someone of its key competitors. 

For example, it is 3 inches shorter in overall length than the Honda HR-V, though it is wider and marginally taller. The difference in length and the 500X’s more rounded styling make a difference in interior room. The HR-V offers 100.1 cubic feet of passenger space while the 500X offers 91.7. The HR-V’s maximum cargo area is 58.8 cubic feet, while the 500X’s cargo area is just 39.8 cubic feet. The 500X offers 14.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the three-passenger rear seat; the HR-V offers 24.3 cubic feet. In the front seats, the difference in interior space is not really an issue, but in the rear, the HR-V offers substantially more legroom.

One of the reasons Fiat executives are so excited about the renewed 500X’s prospects is the fact that the new engine offers both more power and excellent fuel economy. And the good fuel economy is achieved despite the fact that the 2020 Fiat 500X is offered only with all-wheel drive; there is no fuel-saver front-drive version.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the 1.3-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine with MultiAir III valve-actuation technology and stop-start tech are 24 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg combined. That is lower than the 2019 Mazda CX-3 with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is EPA-rated at 27 mpg city/32 mpg highway/29 mpg combined. The all-wheel drive Honda HR-V has EPA ratings of 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. The Fiat 500X is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds.

The Fiat 500X crossover is offered in three trim levels: Pop, Trekking, and Trekking Plus. The Pop trim includes the Uconnect 4 infotainment system with the 7-inch touchscreen display, integrated voice command with Bluetooth, and AM/FM radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are also standard.

The Trekking trim is a good middle ground, with a nice level of standard equipment and the availability of the Advanced Driver Assistance Group that includes adaptive cruise control, the full-speed forward collision warning with active braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and other valuable features. Notable standard equipment on the Trekking Plus trim includes a navigation system and front park assist. We think the Trekking version will likely be the best value for most buyers.

In a sea of lookalikes and oddballs, the Fiat 500X goes its own way with style and passion. The 500X is a fun-to-drive five-passenger subcompact crossover that has been transformed into one of the most likable vehicles in the segment. At the same time, it isn’t as roomy as many vehicles in the class, and it is pricier than many. That's one of the reasons Fiat 500X buyers are the most affluent in the subcompact crossover category.

At this writing, 2020 500X prices are not available, but they should be very close to the 2019 prices we will quote here: The least expensive 2019 500X Pop has an MSRP of $24,740, and, of course, it is all-wheel drive. A Trekking version with all-wheel drive has a suggested retail price of $26,245. The top-of-the-line 500X Trekking Plus with all-wheel drive has a base price of $29,445.