Fiat 500X holds its own vs. competitors
Pope Francis’s use of a Fiat 500L on his recent visit to the United States could have been the ultimate example of product placement.
Except that it wasn’t a Fiat PR arrangement; instead, it was the real thing.
This Fiat 500L bore the license plate of SCV 1, signifying the No. 1 vehicle in the Vatican motor pool.
Pope Francis thus symbolically affirmed his advocacy for the use of “more humble’’ vehicles.
His arrival and choice of vehicles occurred just as I’d finished the review of today’s test car, a Fiat 500X, the slightly smaller and more SUV-like sibling of the 500L.
The L is 5.5 inches longer, 2.6 inches higher, and 3.2 inches lower than our test 500X. They’re the two largest Fiats in the US market.
Hoping for a chuckle or two, my review originally introduced the 500X as the vehicle featured in Fiat’s February Super Bowl ad when the “tiny blue pill’’ bounced into a Fiat 500’s fuel tank, causing it to grow into the larger, more substantial looking 500X.
It was time to shout, “Get me rewrite,’’ except that I am rewrite so here goes…
The 500X isn’t large by US standards, but it is big enough to become relevant in the burgeoning subcompact segment. It competes with the likes of the Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, and Nissan Juke.
Story continues after gallery
The most gas-friendly cars for city driving
[bdc-gallery id=”1431259″]
Our test vehicle was the upper-scale Lounge model, optioned for the New England buyer with all-wheel-drive and the $2,050 Collection 3 option package that adds blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, leather-trimmed bucket seats, and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
Base price for the Lounge with AWD (including destination) is $27,650. The Collection 3 package brought the bottom line to $29,700, fairly steep for a vehicle that starts at $20,900 for the base Pop model. The next step up in trim is the Easy, then Lounge and, for a more rugged look, the Trekking and Trekking-Plus versions with their unique front and rear fascias plus silver trim accents.
You could drive our Lounge’s price $3,300 higher by choosing the $5,350 Collection 6 option pack that adds automatic high beams, LaneSense departure warning-plus, forward collision warning-plus, rain-sensing wipers, dual-pane sunroof, and Beats premium sound to go with all the items in Collection 3.
It proves that the industry trend to offer fully optioned small cars is continuing, and that the target consumer can come from all age groups.
Am I one? Probably not. The subcompact crossovers still are a bit small for me. However, if I were living in an apartment building with a tight parking space or an urban area with only on-street parking, rest assured I’d be singing a different tune.
I got to hum a few bars of that different tune during test time as several excavation projects—including our driveway—made on-street parking necessary as was jockeying for spaces with construction vehicles and workers’ pickup trucks.
Today’s subcompact crossovers, including the Fiat 500X, offer all the features you want, can comfortably make highway trips, and generally offer good fuel economy and adequate cargo space.
A few, like the 500X, also handle remarkably well. Our 500X is built on a stiff platform that makes its handling much better than its somewhat droll styling would suggest.
It also has adequate interior space. Front-seat passengers are fine, and there’s room for two good-size adults in back—or three small folk—or one Pope.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR: Uniquely Fiat styling sets the 500 apart, but controls are intuitive, the UConnect infotainment system works well, and Italian leather is available.
Our test vehicle had the larger, 2.4-liter TigerShark MultAir2 engine that is rated at 180 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Power goes to the front wheels, with the AWD system kicking in the rear wheels when needed; otherwise, it’s disconnected to reduce parasitic power loss.
EPA fuel economy ratings are 21 miles per gallon in city driving, 30 on the highway, and 24 combined. We managed 29.3 in a week of mostly rural drives with the exception of trying to get through downtown Boston to The Boston Cup car show while a Sunday morning benefit bicycle ride had parts of Storrow Drive, Cambridge, and Charles streets shut down.
There’s a Drive Selector knob on the console that allows the driver to select among Auto (normal range), Traction-plus for snow and slippery conditions, or Sport mode.
We found the power train in Auto to be good for daily driving. When we first took the car, the transmission seemed to slam into second gear on the first shift when driving in traffic, but the rest of the operation was smooth and refined.
Sport mode tended to have the transmission hold two gears lower with corresponding higher engine revs and very fast throttle response. Snow or rain? We didn’t have any that week.
The interior, with the optional leather seats, was an interesting mix of Italian style and the 500’s basic painted instrument panel.
Controls were intuitive and the Chrysler family (now FCA) UConnect infotainment system is a pleasure to use. There are knobs for easy radio tuning, a bright display, smooth Bluetooth, and good navigation maps.
The combination of AWD and 7.9 inches of ground clearance should be good for New England winters, and the higher seating position is always a plus wherever you’re driving.
Now that we’ve had a few chilly mornings, it’s nice to note that the Lounge had heated seats AND a heated wheel.
And that’s a hands-on driving pleasure—fit for a Pope.
2016 Fiat 500x Lounge AWD
THE BASICS
Price, base/as tested (with destination): $27,650/$29,700. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 21 city/30 highway/24 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 29.3 mpg. Drivetrain: 2.4-liter, 9-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive. Body: 5 passenger, unibody subcompact crossover.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 180. Torque: 175 lb.-ft. Overall length: 167.2 in. Wheelbase: 101.2 in. Height: 63.7 in. Width: 79.7 in. (mirrors extended). Curb weight: 3,278 lbs.
THE GOOD
Handling, styling, interior space, UConnect infotainment system, wide array of option packages and available safety systems.
THE BAD
Sometimes unrefined transmission shifts.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Fine Italian Automotive Transportation
ALSO CONSIDER
Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, and Nissan Juke.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com