The latest car for 2015 is the Fiat expanding 500 range, the 500X is a compact crossover aimed at the Citroen C4 Cactus, Mini Countryman and Nissan Juke.
What is the Fiat 500X?
Fiat 500X takes the styling of the 500 city car and turns it up to 11 The 500X has a supermini-sized footprint and plenty of off-road attitude. Prices at the time of writing range from £14,595 up to nearly £26,000.
Most buyers will opt for a front-wheel-drive 500X in either Pop, Popstar or Lounge spec. However, if you want more rugged styling, the Cross version has bumper skid-plates and a traction-aiding front differential. And, if you really need four-wheel drive, the Cross Plus borrows its 4WD system from the closely-related Jeep Renegade.
The 500X seats five and has a 350-litre boot – bigger than a VW Golf but smaller than most crossover rivals. Its colourful interior features plenty of retro styling cues, including metal-look door handles and body-coloured plastic on the dashboard. All models apart from the basic Pop get a 6.5in touchscreen media system.
Which engines will the Fiat 500X use?
The engine line-up at launch starts with a 109bhp 1.6 petrol. There’s also a 138bhp 1.4 turbo petrol, plus two diesels: a 118bhp 1.6 and a 138bhp 2.0. Only the bigger diesel is available with four-wheel drive at first, although more powerful petrol and diesel models with 4WD will follow soon.
The entry-level 1.6 petrol comes with a five-speed manual gearbox. Most other models get a six-speed manual, but the 2.0 diesel has Fiat’s new nine-speed automatic. Yes, you read that right, nine gears in a small family car…
Why should I buy a Fiat 500X?
Cross Plus versions of the Fiat 500X have four-wheel drive
Fashionable and funky, small crossovers are the must-have cars of the moment. The Nissan Juke has proved that bold, in-your-face styling is no barrier to success, and the ‘500 on steroids’ look of the 500X will tick plenty of buyers’ boxes, too.
You may also appreciate the Fiat’s elevated driving position (somewhere between a car and an SUV) and added versatility of its raised ground clearance. Whether you’re crossing a muddy field or simply negotiating a multi-storey car park, those extra inches can make a big difference.
Lastly, the 500X offers generous interior space, along with practical touches like big door bins and a split-level boot floor.
When is the Fiat 500X on sale?
The 500X hits showrooms in Spring 2015!!
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