First Test: 2019 Fiat 500X AWD

This ain’t your uncle’s Cinquecento. While the 500X’s diminutive displacement—1.3 liters—might recall the Fiats of the 1960s

Transcript

00:00 This is the Fiat 500X. It's off-road inspired, but can it deliver at the track?

00:05 Let's find out.

00:06 You know the old Fiat 500 from Roman Holiday and the new 500 from tight parking spaces everywhere.

00:19 The 500X is like that new 500, but longer and taller with four doors, more power,

00:25 and all-wheel drive standard. Ours has the Trekking package, which adds off-road styling.

00:30 As tested, it costs just over $35,000. It comes standard with a 1.3 liter turbocharged engine

00:37 that makes 177 horsepower. That power is routed to all four wheels via a nine-speed

00:42 automatic transmission. It took the 500X 8.3 seconds to get to 60 miles per hour.

00:48 Road test editor Chris Walton found the mini SUV slow off the line, but smooth and strong

00:54 once underway. The quarter mile came up in 16.4 seconds at 85.2 miles per hour. That's

01:00 better than competitors like the Honda HR-V, thanks in part to the Fiat's standard turbocharger.

01:05 It took 28.5 seconds to complete the figure eight. Testing director Kim Reynolds noted that the car

01:11 was hampered by excessive body motions, but had nice brake pedal feel and nimble turning.

01:16 I like the brake feel, actually. It's a lot of pitch and roll, but it

01:23 doesn't rebound a whole bunch. The 500X yielded a 120 foot stop from 60 with a medium firm pedal

01:29 and consistent results. The verdict? The Fiat 500X looks cool and is fun to toss around,

01:36 but unless style is your top priority, there are more compelling vehicles in the segment.

01:40 For the full story, go to MotorTrend.com.