Used 2020 FIAT 500X

The 2020 Fiat 500X SUV delivers all-wheel-drive (AWD) security in a compact-crossover SUV oozing Italian design and performance. Although based on the smaller Fiat 500, the 500X elevates its ground clearance to nearly eight inches and adds two more doors, giving it a modest-sized rear seat and cargo hold. The 500X also has a pretty cool interior, especially the new Sport trim with its cloth and vinyl sport seats.

For comparison, the Fiat 500X is priced similarly to the larger Subaru Crosstrek, Mazda CX-30 and Jeep Renegade, but higher than the Hyundai Kona. For those seeking a small car with an excellent reputation for high resale and trouble-free reliability, the Fiat 500X lays claim to neither. It does, however, offer good safety and crash test scores.

The 2020 Fiat 500X is a comfortable cruiser with what we’d call adept but not thrilling handling. Unlike the Mazda CX-30 or Mini Cooper Countryman, you won’t enjoy tossing the 500X into tight turns at high speeds, mostly because of the numb response provided by the electric power steering. Over rougher pavement, the 500X can feel a bit choppy, but in fairness that’s a critique we can make about any number of compact- and subcompact-crossover SUVs.

The 500X’s 1.3-liter turbocharged engine is pretty quick off the line, with an impressive 210 lb-ft of torque for speedy passing maneuvers and onramp incursions. The once problematic 9-speed transmission seems to have been redeemed and showed none of the lag or hunting that plagued early versions. The 500X’s AWD system works effortlessly, improving traction on wet or snow-covered roads, as well as when cornering.

One of the best attributes of the 2020 500X is its interior: stylish and surprisingly refined, with soft-touch points, and high-quality controls all sensibly arranged. The front seats are comfortable, and it’s easy to find a good driving position. Rear headroom is pretty good, although there’s not a lot of legroom. Cargo space expands quickly thanks to fold-down rear seats, and the flip-forward passenger seat helps this little SUV handle items like a surfboard.

We also like the optional, configurable color display between the gauges. The space above the dash is occupied by the well-regarded 7-inch Uconnect touch-screen infotainment system. The new Sport trim ups the luxury with black cloth and vinyl sport seats, darkened headliner and pillar covers plus a leather and Alcantara steering wheel with paddle shifters. Alcantara also covers the instrument cluster’s hood brow.

The 500X may very well be the best-looking Fiat you can buy in the U.S. outside of the dashing Fiat 124 convertible. It is a sharp-looking compact-crossover SUV.

Of the four versions available for 2020, the Trekking models look toughest with their pronounced front fascia that looks like something you’d see on a rugged SUV. The new Sport softens the image, with more body-colored pieces, aggressive 18-inch alloy wheels, available LED headlights and black mirror caps.

DYNAMIC SELECTOR
In a nod to better driver control, the 500X is fitted with a Dynamic Selector that can be set to Auto, Sport and Traction+. The system can vary throttle input, electric steering response and even traction control depending on the situation. The Auto setting strikes a happy medium between Sport and Traction+ and helps return the best fuel economy when engaged.

ADVANCED SAFETY SYSTEMS
The 2020 Fiat 500X offers a host of advanced driver assists, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking and a blind-spot monitor. We only wish Fiat would make these features standard, as do most of the 500X’s competitors.

For 2020, the 500X lineup consists of the Pop base model, racy Sport, mid-trim Trekking and top-end Trekking Plus. The least expensive 500X Pop is pretty basic, but does have air conditioning, power windows, 6-way manual-adjust front seats and Uconnect 4 with 7-inch touch screen, rearview camera, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Bluetooth connectivity is also standard, as are an automatic transmission, the 3-mode Dynamic Selector and all-wheel drive.

The Trekking is better equipped, with a rugged exterior treatment, LED DRLs and rear taillights , while the Trekking Plus adds leather seating, heated front seats, an 8-way-power driver’s seat with power lumbar, front and rear park assist, navigation, advanced LED headlights and fog lights plus dual-zone automatic climate control.

Options are mostly bundled by packages. Trekking and Sport models can be equipped with the Advanced Driver Assist Group that brings adaptive cruise control, full-speed collision warning and emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, auto high beams, blind-spot monitor and rain-sensing wipers.

Other option packages vary by trim and include leather interior, a Beats Audio system, dual-panel power sunroof and many of the Trekking Plus’s standard equipment. Optional on the Trekking is the Adventurer Edition that adds 18-inch wheels, roof rails and cross bow, orange exterior accents, slush mats and mudguards.

Standard on every 2020 Fiat 500X is a turbocharged 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that pumps out a very healthy 177 horsepower and an even healthier 210 lb-ft of torque. The torque figure is important and something none of the 500X’s competitors can match. Torque is what helps a car accelerate quickly both off the line and when passing.

A 9-speed transmission sends power to all four wheels via the 500X’s AWD setup. This system includes a disconnecting rear axle for improved fuel economy when AWD is not needed. Fuel-economy figures of 24-mpg city and 30-mpg highway are not horrible, but certainly lag behind larger rivals like the Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30.

1.3-liter turbocharged inline-4
177 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
210 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/30 mpg