Fiat's 500x: A Step Towards Mainstream Success

Fiat wants to be more than a footnote in the American marketplace, and the 500x is a step in that direction. The appeal of Fiat's tiny 500 city car is inherently limited, and the oddball 500l lacks appeal altogether. However, the 500x is quite a bit different from its siblings, with available all-wheel drive making it head-to-head with cars like the Nissan Juke, MINI Countryman, and Subaru XV Crosstrek.

This new model was made from the very beginning to sell in America, sharing underpinnings with the Jeep Renegade. So, how does Fiat aim to stand out? They want to offer a distinctive European flair without the annoyances and kooky controls that hurt their other models and the Mini Cooper. The 500x offers an upscale appeal, complete with brown leather seats, contrasting piping, and luxuries like a heated steering wheel.

Trekking models are also distinguished by rugged-looking black plastic body cladding, reminiscent of an Italian Subaru Outback. Even the more basic Pop and Easy trim lines try to add some flair with body-colored panels inside. Unique to the entry-level Pop is the 1.4-liter 160 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive. However, what if you want an automatic or all-wheel drive or higher trim level? Then you're in luck, as Fiat offers Chrysler's increasingly familiar 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine making 180 horsepower paired with a 9-speed automatic.

The 500x drives better than its sibling Renegade, with steering that is more direct and an overall feel that is more sporty. The lower-slung 500X is tuned for the street, including its optional all-wheel drive systems. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. We wish there was more left foot room, and rear visibility could be more generous. Prices start around $20,000 and rise into the low 30s when fully loaded.

The success of cars like the Nissan Juke and MINI Countryman is a benchmark for Fiat's new model. However, it's also worth noting that these models aren't exactly big sellers in America, and Fiat's image is often linked to "fix-it-again" jokes. This probably adds up to the 500x being a rather small step towards the mainstream for Fiat. But with its unique features and upscale appeal, the 500x is definitely an option worth considering.

For more information on Fiat's latest model, check out consumerreports.org.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enFiat wants to be more than a footnote in the American marketplace and the 500x is a step in that direction here's the thing the appeal of Fiats tiny 500 city car it's inherently limited and the oddball 500l it basically lacks appeal all together the 500x is quite a bit different with available all-wheel drive it goes head-to-head with cars like the Nissan Juke the MINI Countryman and the Subaru XV Crosstrek now here's an important fact like the Jeep renegade that shares the 500 X's underpinnings this car was made from the very beginning to sell in America so given that how does Fiat aim to stand out well they want to offer a distinctive European Flair but without the annoyances without the kooky controls that hurt their other models and which hurt the Mini Cooper that upscale appeal is apparent in this type of line trekking plus complete with brown leather seats with contrasting piping and luxuries like a heated steering wheel trekking models are also distinguished by rugged looking black plastic body cladding think Italian Subaru Outback even the more basic pop and easy trim lines try to add some Flair with body coloured panels inside unique to the entry-level pop is the 1.4 liter 160 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder and a manual transmission with front-wheel drive only but what if you want an automatic or all-wheel drive or higher trim level well then you're gonna get this powertrain Chrysler's increasingly familiar 2.4 liter 4-cylinder making 180 horsepower paired with a 9 speed automatic compared with the heavier Chrysler 200 in Jeep Cherokee that share this powertrain transmission shifts here are smoother but it's still not completely worked out the 500x drives better than its sibling renegade steering is more direct and the overall feel is more sporty indeed the lower slung 500 X is tuned for the street and that includes its optional all-wheel drive systems we do wish there is more left foot room and that rear visibility was more generous prices start around $20,000 and rise into the low 30s when fully loaded now let's face it cars like the Nissan Juke in the MINI Countryman they aren't exactly big sellers here and too many Americans Fiats image is always linked to all the fix it again jokes now all this probably adds up to the 500x being a rather small step towards the mainstream for Fiat for more check out consumerreports.org youFiat wants to be more than a footnote in the American marketplace and the 500x is a step in that direction here's the thing the appeal of Fiats tiny 500 city car it's inherently limited and the oddball 500l it basically lacks appeal all together the 500x is quite a bit different with available all-wheel drive it goes head-to-head with cars like the Nissan Juke the MINI Countryman and the Subaru XV Crosstrek now here's an important fact like the Jeep renegade that shares the 500 X's underpinnings this car was made from the very beginning to sell in America so given that how does Fiat aim to stand out well they want to offer a distinctive European Flair but without the annoyances without the kooky controls that hurt their other models and which hurt the Mini Cooper that upscale appeal is apparent in this type of line trekking plus complete with brown leather seats with contrasting piping and luxuries like a heated steering wheel trekking models are also distinguished by rugged looking black plastic body cladding think Italian Subaru Outback even the more basic pop and easy trim lines try to add some Flair with body coloured panels inside unique to the entry-level pop is the 1.4 liter 160 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder and a manual transmission with front-wheel drive only but what if you want an automatic or all-wheel drive or higher trim level well then you're gonna get this powertrain Chrysler's increasingly familiar 2.4 liter 4-cylinder making 180 horsepower paired with a 9 speed automatic compared with the heavier Chrysler 200 in Jeep Cherokee that share this powertrain transmission shifts here are smoother but it's still not completely worked out the 500x drives better than its sibling renegade steering is more direct and the overall feel is more sporty indeed the lower slung 500 X is tuned for the street and that includes its optional all-wheel drive systems we do wish there is more left foot room and that rear visibility was more generous prices start around $20,000 and rise into the low 30s when fully loaded now let's face it cars like the Nissan Juke in the MINI Countryman they aren't exactly big sellers here and too many Americans Fiats image is always linked to all the fix it again jokes now all this probably adds up to the 500x being a rather small step towards the mainstream for Fiat for more check out consumerreports.org you\n"