2016 FIAT 500X Review

The 500X is an all-new vehicle for the 2016 model year.

The 2016 Fiat 500X offers many of the strengths of the quickly expanding subcompact crossover segment, including nimble driving manners, decent interior space and thrifty fuel economy, and does it with some Italian flair. It's worth checking out if you're interested in a pint-sized SUV.

Fiat made its return to the United States in 2012 with the 500, a car that was high on character but low on utility. Then the company introduced its 500L, which has plenty of room for a small car but falls short in just about every other quantifiable area. With the release of the 2016 500X, though, Fiat has come up with a vehicle that we think is its most balanced yet. The 500X is a subcompact crossover SUV that delivers the personality of the 500 hatchback, more total interior room than the 500L and then a crossover's elevated driving position and traction-enhancing security of available all-wheel drive. For the most part, it's a successful formula.

The 2016 Fiat 500X brings Italian flair to the subcompact crossover SUV segment.

On the outside, the 500X looks like a larger, raised version of the 500 that also got a dose of machismo. Dimensions are still relatively small -- its length and width are about the same as a Volkswagen Golf, for example -- but you do get five-passenger capacity as well as some useful cargo space. The interior is not only the best yet from this Italian brand, but also compelling for this price point in general. Besides quality interior materials, Fiat offers a version of Chrysler's excellent Uconnect touchscreen interface. There are also options that come as a surprise for a low-priced vehicle, including a heated steering wheel and such safety features as a blind spot monitoring system, a lane departure intervention system and a forward collision warning system.

Built on a rigid structure, the 500X is sporty and carlike on the road, with a solid feeling to it. We're less impressed with what's under the hood, though. Fiat offers one of two engines, but neither one is all that great. The turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder can only had on the base model with front-drive and a manual transmission, so even if it were the world's best engine, it would largely be a moot point for most shoppers. With its higher power output, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder would seem to be a fine alternative, but it delivers underwhelming acceleration considering its power rating and is paired to a sometimes confused and clunky-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission.

The 500X isn't the only subcompact SUV to consider, as several others are also hitting the market this year. The 2016 Mazda CX-3 offers even less in the way of utility, but counters with more driver engagement. The 2016 Honda HR-V is the segment cargo- and people-hauling champ, getting the most out of its tiny exterior dimensions courtesy of Honda's interior packaging wizardry. Then there's the 500X's mechanically related corporate sibling, the Jeep Renegade, which is similar in many ways apart from styling and its ability to venture off-road. Finally, there is a pair of funkier offerings already on sale: the sporty Nissan Juke and popular (but front-drive only) Kia Soul. Overall, though, we think the Edmunds "B"-rated 2016 Fiat 500X is a pretty appealing and characterful entry in the growing subcompact crossover SUV segment.

All 500X models except for the base Pop come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that is good for 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard. The available all-wheel-drive system disconnects the rear wheels when they aren't needed, such as when cruising on the highway, and can send up to half of the power to the rear when the front wheels lose grip.

In Edmunds testing, a front-wheel-drive 500X went from zero to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds, which is slow in general but close to average for the segment.

Selectable drive modes notwithstanding, the 2016 500X is a modest performer.

EPA-estimated fuel economy is 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway) with front-wheel drive, which is considerably lower than the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3. Going with all-wheel drive drops these figures slightly to 24 mpg combined (21/30). However, a front-wheel-drive 500X returned an impressive 32 mpg on the Edmunds evaluation route.

The 2016 Fiat 500X Pop model comes with a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 160 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. It is offered only with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. EPA-estimated fuel economy with front-wheel drive is 28 mpg combined (25 city/34 highway).

Standard safety features of the 2016 Fiat 500X include antilock brakes, traction and stability control, a driver knee airbag, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. Available safety features include a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a blind spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alerts, a lane departure intervention system and a forward collision warning system.

In Edmunds testing, the 500X came to a stop from 60 mph in 121 feet, which is average for a small SUV.

Fiat offers two engine and transmission setups for the 2016 500X, but neither one of them is ideal. The 1.4-liter four-cylinder in the Pop model is smoother than the 2.4 standard in all other models, and its easy-shifting manual transmission lets drivers readily tap into its usable power. Its limited availability largely makes it a moot point, however. The 2.4 has more low-rpm torque and it comes with an automatic transmission. Unfortunately, it can sound rough at high rpm, and its acceleration is disappointing given its ample power figures. The automatic can also produce clunky gearchanges at low speeds (as in when stuck in traffic), along with slow downshifts for highway passing.

Putting aside its underwhelming powertrains, the 2016 500X is an engaging drive, with athletic handling balanced by an adequately comfortable ride.

In most other respects, though, we like how the 2016 Fiat 500X drives. Its body structure feels substantial and the suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and ruts even if it's certainly on the firm side. Around turns, the 500X remains fairly flat and nimble (especially the front-drive model that sits about an inch lower), and it's small enough to dart in an out of traffic and park with ease.

The 500X represents a new high watermark for Fiat interiors. The overall look is attractive and the materials are higher in quality than what's in not only other Fiat cabins, but several larger, pricier SUVs as well. Soft-touch surfaces are found on the dash and armrests, and Fiat makes a center console standard in a class where they can be optional. There are still some hard plastics on the dash face and door tops, but that seems appropriate for the price point.

Available brown leather upholstery gives the 2016 500X's interior a fashionable look.

Fiat also offers modern connectivity for buyers who choose the Uconnect 6.5 system. It's run through a 6.5-inch touchscreen and offers such features as navigation, Yelp local search and Internet radio through owners' smartphones, text-to-speech and speech-to-text capability, remote locking and starting, and, for an additional fee, WiFi hotspot capability. Uconnect is easy to understand and operate, and is among the best infotainment systems on the market.

The 500X is small, offering less rear seat and cargo room than compact hatchbacks like the VW Golf and Mazda 3. Compared to other subcompact SUVs, though, it's average. Front seat occupants have more than enough head- and legroom, with the available eight-way power seats offering a truly impressive degree of adjustment even for tall occupants. Of course, you'll want to avoid tall drivers if you're stuck in the back. Rear seat space is otherwise sufficient, though the optional sunroof may chew into headroom. There is enough room for a week's worth of groceries behind the rear seats, and the rear seat folds down (but not fully flat) to expand that to 32.1 cubic feet. The trunks of all but the base model can also expand by removing or lowering the floor partition.