Fiat 500X Lounge 2017 review
Alistair Kennedy tests and analyzes the 2017 Fiat 500X Lounge with performance, fuel consumption and verdict.
Only Italians can get away with TV ads that link the "little blue performance pill" to the transformation of a small hatchback into a beefy SUV. That's what Fiat did in a brilliant ad, in which the pill ends up falling into the fuel tank of a Fiat 500 hatchback and being reloaded into a 500X compact SUV with the closing line: "bigger, more powerful and ready for action."
Check it out on YouTube if you haven't seen it. Great pleasure.
The 500X was developed alongside the Jeep Renegade after the Italian company gobbled up the American icon during the GFC, which no doubt explains why the TV commercial debuted at primetime's prime time spot, the 2015 NFL Super Bowl.
Styling
I've always loved the clean, unfussy look of the new Fiat 500, and it performs even better in the 500X.
It is noticeably larger and heavier than the standard 500 on which it is based. With a length of 4248 mm, it is almost 20% longer, and the optional all-wheel drive version is about 50% heavier. It also comes with rear doors, as opposed to the iconic Cinquecento's traditional two-door format, and has a reasonable 350-litre boot.
Despite the difference in size, there is a clear family resemblance between the two cars both in front and in various details around the body, as well as the popular pseudo-metal look inside.
Younger buyers will be attracted by a variety of personalization options, including 12 body colors and nine different exterior mirror finishes; 15 decals for dressing up; five door sill inserts and five alloy wheel designs. Inside there are fabric and leather options. There are even five different keychain designs!
The Fiat 500X is available in four model variants: two with front-wheel drive and two with all-wheel drive. Prices range from $26,000 for the entry-level front-wheel drive version of the Pop with a manual transmission to $38,000 for the all-wheel drive Cross Plus automatic version.
ENGINES
All engines are 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol units that come in two varieties. The FWD Pop and Pop Star models reach 103 kW and 230 Nm, while the AWD Lounge and Cross Plus models reach a maximum output of 125 kW and 250 Nm.
The Pop has a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Pop Star only gets the latter transmission. Two AWD models use a nine-speed automatic transmission. All vehicles are supplied with paddle shifters.
safety
All 500X models are equipped with seven airbags; ABS brakes with emergency braking system and electronic brake force distribution; ISOFIX child seat attachment; electronic stability control with hill-start assist and electronic roll mitigation; tire pressure monitoring system; and rear parking sensors.
Pop Star adds traction control at any speed; blind spot monitoring; rear intersection detection; and a rear view camera. Lounge and Cross Plus also get emergency automatic braking and lane departure warning.
The alloy wheels increase in size from 16 inches on the Pop to 17 inches on the Pop Start and 18 inches on the two all-wheel drive models.
Features
Similarly, higher spec models (from Pop Star and up) have a 6.5-inch touchscreen for Fiat's Uconnect system and sat nav. The Pop does not have satellite navigation and uses a 5-inch screen. Bluetooth, including voice commands, is standard across the range along with USB and Auxiliary connectors.
The Lounge and Cross Plus get a higher quality eight-speaker Beats Audio system.
Driving
Our test car was an all-wheel drive Fiat 500X Lounge. Getting in and out is surprisingly easy thanks to the large, comfortable and supportive front seats. External review is excellent.
It's sharp and easy to maneuver in the urban jungle, especially with a choice of three driving modes (Auto, Sport and Traction plus) accessed via what Fiat calls the Mood Selector.
It was relatively smooth on the motorway, with only occasional use of the paddles on long, hilly stretches. Ride comfort is very good with noise and vibration making it one of the quietest cars in the compact SUV class.
Handling isn't exactly Italian sporty, but the 500X is neutral in how it feels as long as you don't exceed the cornering speed the average owner is likely to attempt.
The fuel consumption of the 500X Lounge is 6.7 l/100 km. We have an average consumption of a little more than 8l / 100km.
