Fiat 500X Popstar auto 2016 review
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 6/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- How practical is the interior space? 6/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 6/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 6/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
- What is it like to drive? 6/10
- Verdict
- Do you think Popstar has a long career ahead or is it a miracle hit? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
Peter Anderson took Fiat's compact SUV, the 500X, through the city routine and found a mid-range Popstar variant in some areas but left audiences wanting more in others. Outstanding daring looks and impressive compactness are offset by unconvincing dynamics and a surprisingly high price tag.
There are times in this business when you scratch your head so hard that you rub your skin down to the bone. The subject of today's graphic metaphor is the Fiat 500X mini SUV. An inflated Cinquecento starts at $26,000, which isn't a terrible price, but once you hit the Popstar spec, it's already a dizzying $32,000. It seems like a lot.
However, the story doesn't end there, because diving into the spec sheet brings up some surprises that may – or may not – justify this bold figure. You have to remember that this segment has expanded at about the speed of light since the inception of the 500X, with products from Ford, Holden, Renault and Mazda, not to mention the upcoming Audi Q2. There's a lot going on, and to make life more difficult, the next size up is available for the same price from Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen if you don't mind getting a little confused on the specs.
| Fiat 500X 2016: pop star | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 1.4 L turbo |
| fuel type | Regular unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 5.7l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $13,100 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 6/10
The Popstar sits one notch above the bottom of the 500X range, which starts with the $26,000 manual Pop and ends with the $38,000 CrossPlus through the $37,000 Lounge.
It certainly doesn't look like it's much more than 1.3 tons.
The 500X Popstar pulls up into your driveway Italian-style with 17-inch alloy wheels, six-speaker stereo with 6.5-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, rearview camera, keyless entry and start, rear parking sensors, cruise control, navigation, automatic headlights and wipers, front fog lights, leather steering wheel and gear selector, heated and folding mirrors, fabric trim.
Metallic paint like our Toscana Green adds $500 to $1800 for pearl red. Four of the 12 colors available are free, three are $500, two are $1500, and one is $1800. The panoramic sunroof is $2000, the leather seats are $2500, and the Advanced Tech Pack (automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist) is $2500.
Our car had metallic paint and a sunroof, bringing the total to $34,500. You can shell out even more if you check out the Mopar brochure, which has decals, moldings, sticker packs, luggage management systems, wheels, and possibly gutters if you look closely enough (the last point is a lie).
(It's worth noting that at the time of writing, Popstar could be bought for $29,000 with free service for three years - that seems like a better deal.)
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
This is where things get interesting. If you want to forget six decades of 500 history, the 500X is a cheeky design that stands apart from almost every other mini SUV on the planet. It's also among the tallest of them all, which is why it's about as imposing as a small car can be. It has 500-like shapes, but when all is said and done, it's not particularly convincing. Looks like the Mini Countryman got a little hot at the dessert bar (another car that makes people upset).
The interior is light and airy, especially with the option of a double-glazed sunroof. You get good visibility, chunky 500-style dials and buttons, and an attractive 6.5-inch screen built into a slab of body-colored plastic that stretches across the dashboard. Less pleasing are the faux carbon fiber inserts, and the neoprene-style upholstery wasn't to everyone's liking. I didn't mind them, but they weren't popular against bare legs.
How practical is the interior space? 6/10
The 500X has a surprising amount of room given its small size. It's a vertical cab with high front and rear seats, which means you'll be easy to get in if you're taller than 175cm, and more so if you're not taller. CX-3-low is not.
Front-seat passengers have the luxury of two cup holders and a refrigerated glove box, there are bottle holders in all four doors, although the rear ones are limited to 500 ml, and rear-seat passengers are left with no cup holders at all. Or an air conditioner...
The trunk is a reasonable 346 liters with the seats up and about 1000 liters with the seats folded down. When folded, the seat backs don't lie flat, which is a little annoying, but not uncommon.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 6/10
Popstar uses a version of Fiat's famous 103kW MultiAir turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. Its 230Nm spins the front wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Although it's front-wheel drive, there are three driving modes (Fiat calls it "Mood Select") that adjust how the stabilization and traction control system works, in this case for off-road and sport use.
All 500Xs are rated to tow 1200kg with brakes and 600kg without brakes.
How much fuel does it consume? 6/10
Fiat claims average combined consumption is 5.7 l/100 km. Our road time with the 500X saw us achieve an average of 7.9L/100km, and being European, this is premium unleaded gasoline.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10
This is where 500X can make the most sense.
Seven airbags (including knee), ABS, stability and traction control, blind spot sensors, reverse cross traffic alert and rollover protection.
In December 500, 2016X received five ANCAP stars, the most affordable.
The $2500 Advanced Tech Pack seems almost reasonable for the price, and it's worth looking into if you're chasing that kind of tech. The Popstar has a number of standard safety features that you won't see or get on some similarly priced mini SUVs.
The Mazda CX-3 Akari can fit some of these elements, as well as those in the Tech Pack, but for a small extra cost, you'll lose some of the interior space...but get all-wheel drive.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
3 years / 100,000 km
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
The 500X comes with a three-year Fiat warranty or 150,000 km, which is unusually generous over long distances. In addition, you will receive three years of roadside assistance. Annoyingly, there is no regular fixed or limited price service mode, but you can wait for a promotion that usually includes three years of free service along with a significant reduction in the suggested retail price.
What is it like to drive? 6/10
If you ask anything about a front-wheel drive 500X beyond sleepy driving, you'll be disappointed. The front wheels are hit with little torque as soon as the 1.4 turbo engine revs up, and if you keep accelerating, the wheels will follow every imperfection in the road like a dog chasing a scent, the chunky steering wheel writhing in your hands. . The electric assist makes a valiant attempt to mask this effect by increasing the assist, so you just have to push it this way and that instead of manually handling it.
Low speed riding is fine, but once you pick up speed it doesn't stabilize leaving you a bit frazzled after a few miles, you just want it to calm down and be reasonable. It's not lumpy and isn't going to toss you and your belongings around the cabin, and it's not that frustrating, I would call it hectic, it's just not smooth. In fact, it's like less than 500, which you can forgive because it's a lot of fun. And he doesn't turn the steering wheel.
However, the 500X is a little fun. Body roll is controlled, you can throw it around a corner and it won't throw you unless you're driving like a complete idiot. It certainly doesn't look like it's much more than 1.3 tons.
Other minor complaints include the amount of engine noise that seeps into the cabin, especially at high revs, and the slightly odd dashboard layout. And the tachometer is too small.
Verdict
It seems odd to recommend any Fiat 500 for practical reasons, but the numbers and specs don't lie. It's not a particularly good drive, and it's not a small or exceptional value either. But it's cheap enough to run (cheaper if you take advantage of the promotional deal), stands out from the crowd, and has its own Italian charm to win you over.
It's certainly not the best mini SUV, and sticking a premium price tag on it is a friendship stretch, but it's definitely not the worst.
Click here for more pricing and specifications for the 2016 Fiat 500X.
Do you think Popstar has a long career ahead or is it a miracle hit? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
