Transportation

Car Review: 2016 Fiat 500X

Published

11 years ago

May 18, 2015

By Frank S. Washington
NNPA Columnist

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., (NNPA) — It was bigger, taller and barely looked like a Fiat 500 from the side. But from the front it was unmistakably the small Italian import that has had some success during its four years in the U.S. market.

The car had the double headlamps, the trapezoidal nose, signature “whiskers and logo” face and rounded clamshell hood reminiscent of the original Fiat Cinquecento on which it is based. But it was a little different.

The roof was rounded; it had more than five inches of ground clearance, which meant that it was more than an inch higher than a regular Fiat 500. That is because the 500X can be equipped with all-wheel-drive. In effect, it is a small crossover and it went go on sale just before summer began.

It has two engine choices: a 1.4-liter four cylinder engine that made 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and a 2.4-liter four cylinder that made 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque.

At the time of the test drive, fuel efficiency of the 2016 Fiat 500X had not been finalized. But a staffer said that both engines were expected to get more than 30 mpg on the highway.

The smaller engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and the 2.4-liter engine is mated to a nine-speed automatic, the first in the segment. Given the preference of American drivers, we expect the nine-speed automatic with the larger engine to be the volume leader in this market.

Inside, the car featured a body colored instrument panel and a circular instrument cluster display. It was a really clean look with the UConnect information screen featured prominently and the climate controls beneath.

Our Fiat 500X test car was really spacious. There was only two of us but the car looked like it could carry four adults comfortably. Although most of the roads in Southern California are in very good shape, the test car rode smoothly, quietly and the electric power steering responded to driver input well.

We found ourselves on the Santa Monica Freeway a couple of times and the car never seemed swallowed by the traffic. We had a front-wheel drive version of the 500X with the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. It had enough oomph to hold its own on the area’s notoriously swift freeway as well as the surface streets.

About that only gripe we had was at times our test car’s nine-speed transmission didn’t know what gear to choose and was a little jerky about the selection. However, we were driving pre-production cars and we’re pretty confident gear mapping has been finalized and it is smooth.

In a phrase, the Fiat 500X expands the brand offerings and gives it a small crossover, which is a growth segment of the market. Of course, Fiat expects younger buyers but this car is about psychographics more than demographics.

The Fiat 500X offers 12 exterior colors and seven what Fiat calls “interior environments.” What’s more, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ customizing arm, Mopar, has developed 100 accessories for the small crossover that include 30 exterior graphics packages.

There are five trim lines: the Pop which starts at $20,000, the Easy that starts at $22,300, Trekking starts at $23,100, the Lounge begins at $24,800 and the Trekking Plus begins at $27,100.

We had a 500X Lounge. It had 18-inch wheels, a dual pane sunroof, a premium audio system, lane departure warning and forward collision warning. It was $31,100 including the freight charge. That was the other thing about the 2016 Fiat 500X. Yes, it is a small crossover but it had some big car stuff.

It could be outfitted with an eight-way power driver’s seat, there were three versions of UConnect, it has Bluetooth, a navigation system, voice controls, three drive modes, blind spot monitoring, keyless start and stop, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a backup camera. Each trim line had from four to six options.

And there was a choice of 16-, 17-, or 18-inch wheels. The 2016 Fiat 500X was a lot of car in a small but not that small package.

Frank S. Washington is editor of AboutThatCar.com.

###

Up Next

Car Review: 2015 Lexus NX 300h

Don't Miss

Car Review: 2015 Kia K900

BlackPressUSA Newswire

Comments

car reviews

Planning to Buy an EV? Check Charging Before You Buy #shorts

Thinking about buying an EV? Don’t make the switch until you check these essential charging factors along your regular routes.

Is the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS worth its $38,940 price tag? We break down the efficiency, comfort, and real-world trade-offs to help you decide.

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2026

BlackPressUSA

2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS electric vehicle parked in a studio, showcasing the modern hatchback design and front grille.

Is the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS worth $38,940? In this AutoNetwork Advisor review, Roosevelt Gist examines the comfort, charging options, visibility, and equipment that matter when choosing an electric vehicle.
This Bolt RS wears Mosaic Black Metallic paint with a Jet Black interior and Red accents. Its listed efficiency figures are 134 MPGe city, 102 highway, and 120 combined. Roosevelt explains why those numbers help compare energy efficiency but do not tell you driving range or your personal charging costs.
His positives include a very supportive driver’s seat, easy entry and exit, impressive efficiency, Level 1 home charging capability with the dual-level cord, and a ride that handles rough roads well. He also shares concerns about tire noise inside the cabin, wider windshield pillars that block part of his view, and a vibrating Safety Alert Seat warning that could be distracting. The startup behavior when sitting in the driver’s seat takes getting used to, rather than being a fault.
Charging equipment includes a 65 kWh battery, NACS port, 11.5 kW AC charging capability, and 150 kW DC fast charging capability. The review helps you consider whether your charging plan fits your daily driving.
Featured equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, Google built-in, HD Surround Vision, a Rear Camera Mirror, and the Super Cruise Package. Super Cruise requires an attentive driver and compatible roads.
Watch for practical checks to make during your dealership visit, plus warranty information and Roosevelt’s final buying advice.
Got a question about this vehicle? Use the vehicle-specific #AskRoosevelt link when available.
Visit CouponsOffersandDeals.com to check available dealer-approved offers from participating dealers. Review terms and confirm availability before visiting.
Would home charging or public charging fit your routine better? Share your answer below, and subscribe to AutoNetwork for more vehicle reviews focused on your next buying decision.
___________________________________________________________________

AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

🌐 AutoNetwork.com
💰 CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.