500 Fiat 2018X Review: Special Edition
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? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 6/10
- What is it like to drive? 6/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
- Verdict
- Is the 500X Special Edition special enough to make you head to a Fiat dealership? Tell us in the comments below.
Buyers of compact SUVs are probably the most spoiled for choice. We have products from South Korea, Japan, USA, Germany, UK, China (yes, MG is now Chinese), France and Italy.
That said, the Fiat 500X isn't usually on the shopping list, in part because if you see it, you're probably denying it's not a tiny Cinquecento. It is obvious that this is not the case. It's longer, wider and, aside from the Fiat badge, almost entirely unrelated to the fun two-door it shares its name with. In fact, it is more closely related to the Jeep Renegade.
Look, it's hard...
| Fiat 500X 2018: special edition | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | - |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 5.7l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | No recent ads |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 6/10
The 500X has been with us for a few years now - I rode one 18 months ago - but 2018 saw a much-needed lineup rationalization. It now has two spec levels (Pop and Pop Star), but to celebrate, there's also a Special Edition.
The $32,990 SE is based on the $29,990 Pop Star, but Fiat says it has an extra $5500 at a $3000 cost. The car comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker Beat stereo system, dual-zone climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry and start, an impressive safety package, active cruise control, satellite navigation, automatic headlights and wipers, leather trim. , power front seats and a compact spare.
The Special Edition comes with 17-inch alloy wheels. (Image credit: Peter Anderson)
The Beats-branded stereo system is powered by FCA UConnect on a 7.0-inch touchscreen. The system offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Surprisingly, CarPlay is displayed in a small red border, making the icons incredibly small. Rather, it smacks of capturing defeat from the jaws of victory. Android Auto fills the screen correctly.
The Beats-branded stereo system is powered by FCA UConnect on a 7.0-inch touchscreen. (Image credit: Peter Anderson)
The UConnect itself is better than before and can be found in everything from the Fiat 500, the Jeep Renegade, the 500X twin, to the Maserati. It's a lot better than it was before, but here at 500X it's a little inconvenient because the screen area is quite small.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
The exterior is the work of Fiat's Centro Stile and is clearly based on 500 themes. Ironically, the headlights are very similar to those of the original Mini Countryman, a different design based on Frank Stephenson's successful reboot. It's not a bad job, the 500X retained much of the 500's sassy joie de vivre. but in places it does feel a bit like Elvis in his last years.
The interior is also heavily inspired by the Fiat 500, with a color-coded dash stripe and familiar buttons. The climate control settings are unexpectedly cool, and the three-dial instrument cluster adds a bit of maturity to the cabin. The fat handlebar is also flat at the bottom, but probably too fat for my hands (and no, I don't have a tiny set of trump claws). The white seat trim looks super retro and cool.
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
As a compact SUV, space is at a premium, but the 500X makes a pretty good impression of a comfortable four-seater. Sitting upright like this, passengers sit high in the cabin, meaning there's plenty of legroom, and rear-seat passengers can slip their feet under the front seat.
It is quite small - 4.25 meters, but the turning radius is 11.1 meters. Cargo space starts at an impressive 3 liters for the Mazda CX-350, and it's likely that with the seats folded down, you can expect 1000+ liters. The front passenger seat also folds forward to allow longer items to be carried.
With the rear seats folded down, the boot volume is over 1000 liters. (Image credit: Peter Anderson)
The number of cupholders is four, better than in the last car I drove. Rear seat passengers have to make do with small bottle holders in the doors, while larger bottles will fit in the front.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10
The engine under the hood is the famous and legendary "MultiAir2" from Fiat. The 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine develops 103 kW/230 Nm of power. The front wheels receive power through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
"MultiAir2". 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with 103 kW/230 Nm. (Image credit: Peter Anderson)
Fiat says you can tow a 1200kg trailer with brakes and 600kg without brakes.
How much fuel does it consume? 6/10
Official combined cycle figures set the 500X's combined consumption at 7.0L/100km. Somehow we've only done 11.4L/100km with the car in a week, so that's a big miss.
What is it like to drive? 6/10
There must be something about the short, wide platform the 500X is built on; neither the 500X nor the Renegade will provide much driving pleasure. The 500X is lower and more planted, but below 60 km/h the ride gets very tight and a bit choppy on broken surfaces. Which is the exact opposite of my experience in 2016.
A blunt drivetrain doesn't help matters, and I couldn't help but wonder if the engine was looking for a good drivetrain/chassis combination. However, once you're up and running, it's quiet and collected, and the bouncy ride sorts out with speed. If you can find a spot in a traffic jam or are on the freeway, the 500X holds a stop easily and even has a little overtaking torque.
However, this is not a car that encourages too much fun, which is a shame because it looks like it should.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
3 years / 150,000 km
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
The 500X is really great here as it comes with safety features. Starting with seven airbags and conventional traction and stability systems, Fiat adds forward collision warning, front AEB, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist and lane departure warning.
There are two ISOFIX points and three top tether anchorages for child seats. In December 500, 2016X received five ANCAP stars.
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 6/10
Fiat offers a three year or 150,000 km warranty plus roadside assistance for the same period. Service intervals occur once a year or 15,000 km. There is no fixed or limited price maintenance program for 500X.
Its sister car, the Renegade, is also made in Italy and comes with a five-year warranty and a five-year fixed price maintenance regime. Just to let you know.
Verdict
The Fiat 500X is not a very good car, but I am drawn to its looks and personality. For the same money, there are plenty of more advanced options from around the world, so the choice comes down to the heart.
I think Fiat knows it too. Like that purveyor of quirkiness, Citroen, no one in Turin pretends this car is winning the world. If you choose it, you will make an individual choice and get a good security package to boot. However, I can't help but think that the Special Edition is a bit of an exaggeration.
Is the 500X Special Edition special enough to make you head to a Fiat dealership? Tell us in the comments below.
