The Fiat 500X has been updated for 2023 and its line-up now includes a novel semi-convertible derivative. We drove the latest iteration of the small crossover in Gauteng.
When the small crossover craze was in its infancy (about a decade ago), Fiat sought to reinterpret its adorable – and perennially popular – 500 city car as a compact family car. Given the packaging limitations of the diminutive 500, it stood to reason that the 500X would come to market as a fashionable “baby SUV” that appealed to those who have families and/or lifestyles that require additional loading space.
The Fiat 500X is not based on the 500, however – it shares a platform with its Stellantis-group cousin, the Jeep Renegade. Following its local debut in 2015, the Fiat 500X has received numerous revisions in an effort to keep it fresh; our market received such an update just 2 years ago (in September 2021).
What’s on offer?
The Cult and Connect trim levels have been removed from the 2023 Fiat 500X range. The line-up now comprises the Cross, Sport and a new addition, the Extended Soft Top (EST). Essentially, the flagship EST offers a convertible-like experience, with a canvas roof that opens the entire length of the cabin.
The fabric roof can be opened in just 15 seconds when the vehicle is stationary or travelling at up to 100 kph. It genuinely covers almost the entire roof area; while most models at this price point offer either a sunroof or a panoramic roof, the fully-opening roof certainly is certainly novel (and an acquired taste).
The entire range is powered by the tried-and-tested 1.4-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine, which has peak outputs of 103 kW/230 Nm and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The model is front-wheel driven and Fiat claims that 500X derivatives will, on average, consume 5.7 L/100 km.
You can distinguish the latest-spec Fiat 500X from its predecessors by its revised front-end execution – the Fiat badge has been replaced with a bold 500 logo. Given the rich heritage of the Fiat 500, there’s certainly merit in suggesting that “500” (like Land Cruiser) is strong enough to be a standalone brand.
MORE: Fiat 500X Prices and specifications
What’s it like to drive?
First impressions count for a lot and the Fiat 500X still looks fantastic, especially when clad in a bold paint finish. In Sport trim, the car looks especially purposeful, replete with colour-coded bodywork.
Our launch route incorporated various road surfaces, which ranged from a reasonably well-maintained highway to some horrendously potholed back roads that were, frankly, barely fit to support mechanised transport. Most of the potholes resembled wells; if we hit one, there was a genuine risk of cracking a rim.
Suffice it to say, we needed to execute a number of evasive driving manoeuvres to keep the venerable Italian small crossover out of harm’s way, so we were thankful for the Fiat’s steering setup. Although it’s not the most direct – in fact, it’s a bit vague – it was responsive and light enough to make the 500X quite darty. The lightness is great for round town, where narrow streets and tight parking spaces are common.
If you’re looking for a sporty-ish driving experience, the Fiat 500X isn’t the best in its class. Granted, models in this segment don’t prioritise driver engagement, but the Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen T-Roc are nicer to drive. The latter’s drawback is that you need to spec it up, which further inflates its price.
The Fiat 500X’s ride quality is a mixed bag. In Cross trim, the vehicle rides on 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Sport version wears 19-inch units. While the suspension is relatively pliant on the open road and should facilitate easy long-distance cruising, it tends to fidget and never absorbs road imperfections entirely. Plus, the Sport rides harder than what we’d deem as acceptable for this class of vehicle.
The powertrain’s figures seem quite adequate. We drove both Cross and Sport derivatives, but their odometres had very low kilometre readings. Consequently, the brand-new cars’ powertrains felt a trifle lethargic, which was surprising – we recall that the 1.4-litre turbopetrol can be quite energetic when it needs to be. We’re keen to drive the 2023 Fiat 500X again, once the test units have been “run in” more.
Trust us, once its 103 kW/230 Nm mill hits its straps, the Fiat 500X can deliver a solid turn of pace, but be mindful that the forced-induction engine’s note will get coarse when you rev it beyond 4500 rpm.
Another gripe is that while the cabin looks acceptably attractive, feels reasonably well-made and is fitted with virtually all the features that one may expect to find at the price point, the Fiat’s fascia is equipped with a tiny infotainment touchscreen. Yes, it’s functional and usable, but a 7-inch screen is laughably small by modern standards; it takes the pleasure out of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality.
Practicality is not the 500X’s strong point either – there aren’t enough cupholders or storage spaces for phones and keys. As for space in the 2nd row, adults will find the leg- and headroom severely limited.
How much does the Fiat 500X cost in South Africa?
| Fiat 500X Cross | R509 900 |
| Fiat 500X Sport | R560 900 |
| Fiat 500X Sport EST | R580 900 |
The Fiat 500X is sold with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty, 5 years’ roadside assistance and a 3-year/60 000 km service plan.
Summary
Minor revisions and the novelty of a pseudo-convertible experience (courtesy of the folding roof on the newly introduced flagship EST derivative) have helped keep the Fiat 500X in the news, but in reality, it’s a middle-of-the-pack offering. Despite the tweaks, one can’t help but notice that the Italian brand’s small crossover is showing its age; by modern standards, a 9-year-old passenger car model is a dinosaur.
It’s certainly a great-looking vehicle, which helps, but sadly, the new-vehicle market is cutthroat at this price point and the Fiat 500X falls short in several respects. Those looks can only carry you so far, and there are many rivals that offer more space and features, in more modern packages, at better prices.
