Overview
Italians know fashion, and the 2022 Fiat 500X isn’t short on style. Never mind that it’s essentially a Jeep Renegade with a coupe-like profile and minus a “Trail Rated” badge; the 500X is all about turning a look. A turbocharged four-cylinder and all-wheel drive are both standard, and performance is decent for the on-road use the 500X is designed for. The cabin is handsomely styled to match this small SUV’s exterior but, unfortunately, good looks only get the 500X so far. Several rivals are more practical and nicer to live with, including the Kia Seltos, the Hyundai Kona, and the Mazda CX-30.
What’s New for 2022?
A funky new cloth sunroof option joins the 500X lineup for 2022. The Al-Fresco top, as it’s called, is available in black, red, and gray and adds $1000 to the bottom line for Pop, Trekking, Sport, and Trekking Plus models. A range-topping Yacht Club Capri model is now available and comes standard with the Al-Fresco top rendered in an exclusive blue cloth to match the special edition trim’s Blu Venezia exterior paint. The Yacht Club Capri also comes with unique, blue-painted 18-inch wheels, satin exterior trim, ivory-colored leather upholstery, and rich wood accents on the dashboard and shift lever.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
There isn’t much differentiation between the trim levels on the 500X. The Trekking Plus comes with a few more features than the Trekking and the Sport, but these items are optional on the lower trims. Since styling is such a big part of this crossover’s appeal, we’d go for the Sport model. The Sport’s available 19-inch wheels give the 500X a nice stance, and the interior details are tasteful and worth the cost over the standard Trekking model. The Comfort Group package is a good deal at $795, so we’d tack that onto our order form as well. It adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and ambient interior lighting.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
All Fiat 500X models come with a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 177 horsepower. A nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. The all-wheel-drive system has three driver-selectable settings to optimize traction in varying conditions. All models come with 17-inch aluminum wheels, except the Sport, which has standard 18s (optional on both Trekking models) and available 19-inch wheels. Regardless of trim level, the 500X isn’t the quickest crossover in this class nor is it the most fun to drive. The Fiat’s suspension is comfortable for highway cruising but loses its composure on curvy back roads. If you’re looking for a more entertaining SUV, we’d suggest the Kona or the CX-30.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Fuel economy is so-so for a pint-sized crossover, as the EPA rates the Fiat 500X at 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. When we get a chance to take the 500X on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route, we’ll update this story with test results. For more information about the 500X’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Passenger space is tight in the 500X, and the quality of its interior materials is far from best in class. On the upside, the layout of its controls is good, and the driving position should suit a range of body shapes and sizes. It’s also an attractive cabin—especially the Sport and Yacht Club Capri versions with their upgraded seats and snazzy styling details. You’ll be able to fit a few bags of groceries in the Fiat 500X, but cargo capacity is low—even for a subcompact SUV—with just 14 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 32 cubic feet when they’re folded.
Infotainment and Connectivity
A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard in every Fiat 500X. The Trekking Plus also includes a factory navigation system; it’s optional on the Sport. An upgraded Beats audio system is optional on Sport and Trekking trims. Every 500X has two USB charge ports at the bottom of the center stack.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Selecting the Advanced Driver Assistance Group package adds a suite of driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and automatic high-beam headlights. This package is optional on the Trekking, Sport, and Trekking Plus models. For more information about the 500X’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Available adaptive cruise control with automated emergency braking
- Available blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts
- Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Fiat offers solid limited warranty coverage, but the 500X’s powertrain warranty is skimpy. Most rivals offer five-year/60,000-mile coverage, while the Kona tops the class with its 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain guarantee.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance