We are with the Fiat 500X.
The Fiat that attained success with the 500 family makes its entrance to the small crossover class with the new 500X
Let’s see if the 500X have features to become prominent in its class?
Let’s analyze it together.
The 500X looks like a 500 on steroids.
In this, especially the head lamps and the famous mustache positioned on front bumper have a share.
Naturally, it is apparent that the 500X is much more majestic.
The add-ons that come with the Cross Plus reinforce the 500X to contain off-road vehicle overtones.
When viewed from sides the 500X appears to be as a hatchback with high ground clearance.
As for the rear, it differentiates from the other family members by its big square tail lights.
The cockpit of the 500X is of high quality.
Due to the soft plastic materials used on the top here and the jagged materials with a good touch under, it is possible to talk about quality.
I can further say that the brown leather upholstery used in the test car increases the quality perception
The sensitiveness of the touch screen positioned in the center top of the console is good and due to its area of deployment it is easy to reach and use
The A/C controls which were taken from the Alfa Romeo and integrated to the family 500 looks very elegant.
Lots of places have been offered for your small items in the interior
There are sufficient areas for your articles in the in front and behind the gear lever.
Apart from the usual glove compartment, there is a lidded and frigorific second glove compartment here and in my opinion that is good attribute.
I can say that the seats in driving position are comfortable.
In the one other 500 family member the 500L the stool of the seats were a bit short and it was uncomfortable especially on long travels.
In the 500X this has been eliminated and longer stools have been used.
Thus you are able to drive the 500X on long journeys without getting tired.
I have been with this car for a week and I have covered more than 1000 kilometers.
In this period I went to the V1 Challenge’s third race in İzmir with this car.
I can easily say that through the whole travel the seats did not give me any discomfort at all.
The living space offered at the rear is very good.
Good knee and head room for the adults is offered.
I can say that especially the knee room is better than most of the rivals in the small crossover class.
The boot with 250 liters loading capacity with the spare wheel and 350 liters loading capacity without the spare wheel satisfies the expectations of this class fairly.
Let us consider the engine and driving features of the 500X.
I should say this in the beginning for those who do not know that the 500X is manufactured in the same platform with the Jeep Renegade, it is a model that shares the same infrastructure and same engine and gearbox.
Under the bonnet of the 500X I have been driving 1.4 liters turbo charged petrol engine is functioning.
This engine that develops 170 HP and 250 Nm of torque is the most powerful version of the series.
You can only purchase this version with 9 speed automatic gearbox with 4-Wheel drive system.
The power and traction of the engine is good.
It offers you the performance you would want from this class and from this power adequately.
Unfortunately I can not say the same thing for the gearbox.
Because its passes are erratic and it sometimes is hard put to choose and this decreases the quality of the driving comfort somewhat.
If it is necessary to give details, due to slowness on coupling in the start when you put on the D mode and press the throttle there is a waiting time.
After the clutch coupling, it suddenly throws you in front. Similarly when you want to park and engage the reverse due to late coupling the car slides forward a bit and after the clutch coupling throws you back rigorously.
Clearly, this was what I did not like about the 500X during my drive.
Thus I do not think this gearbox is very compatible to this engine.
Furthermore, I should also say this for the 9. Speed, when driving within normal speed limits even when doing 120 km/h the gearbox prefers 8.
Speed instead of 9.
So it made me wonder why this is a 9 Speed gearbox.
The suspension is firm but not distracting.
The 500X is good in the subject of road handling.
The steering, compared to the many Fiat models, in my opinion, is faster and more sensitive.
The car I have been driving passes as 4-Wheel drive but on normal conditions advances as front wheel drive.
In other words as always if there is any loss of power in the front wheels then some of the power is transferred to the rear wheels and then the car moves as 4-Wheel drive.
You are able to choose the driving modes in the 500X.
From this button behind the gear lever you can select one of the modes from 3 alternatives.
When you select the Sport the engine and the steering gives you sharper reactions and you advance with 4-Wheel drive.
The insulation of the 500X in my opinion is a bit weak.
Especially, at high speeds on highways, you hear the road and also the wind noises concretely.
I can not say that the 500X with this engine and gearbox will be very economic.
I have driven with 9.3 liters fuel consumption averages.
But I should say that I have paid some attention on my drive.
If you drive faster and with performance the values easily increases.
If economy for you is of top priority then 500X’s 1.6 liters Multijet diesel engine version will be more logical.
The Fiat 500X with its powerful petrol engine, automatic gearbox and 4-Wheel drive system succeeds to be different.
If you are Fiat 500 sympathizer but need wider and more practical model then in my opinion you must definitely analyze the 500X.
See you.