Subcompact Crossover with Unique Styling
Fiat gave the 500X a new engine in 2019, which improved both the performance and fuel economy. Two things Clean Fleet Report loves to see. So the 2020 Fiat 500X Trekking Plus AWD we drove for a week throughout Southern California, should appeal to drivers wanting an unique looking, all-wheel drive (AWD) compact crossover to get them around town, to the beach, and to the snowy mountains for some winter skiing or boarding.
Getting There
There is only one engine for all 500X models. The turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder produces 177 horsepower and 210 pounds-feet of torque. All four wheels are driven through a nine-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission is not offered.
Running on unleaded regular, the turbocharged 1.3-liter engine had adequate acceleration when using the Sport drive mode and was smooth when cruising at highway speeds. While the performance was capable for most driving demands, the engine noise was, to be kind–very noticeable. Whenever the engine was under any sort of strain or demand, such as punching it from a stop light or climbing even a small grade, the engine sounded like it was straining. The curious thing is we could not determine if it was the 3,305 pounds, the AWD, the exhaust design or the automatic transmission hunting for the proper gear, but in every situation where the small engine was put to the task, we felt bad for it trying so hard. The pulling was fine, it just let you know you were not driving quietly in ninth gear on the freeway at 70 miles per hour.
The EPA gives an estimated fuel economy rating of 24 city/30 highway/26 combined, which are numbers that place it in the low-middle of its compact crossover competition. In 303 miles of 70/30-percent highway/city driving, Clean Fleet Report averaged 26.8 mpg, and 34.2 mpg on a pure highway run of 100 miles with the cruise control set at 65 mph. Along with the automatic Stop/Start, you can squeeze decent fuel economy out of the 500X if you stay on flat land, keeping it at a constant speed.
Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience. Your numbers may differ.
Driving Experience: On the Road
Clean Fleet Report’s all-wheel drive 500X Trekking Plus was equipped with 255/55 Continental ProContact all-season tires that were mounted on the optional 18-inch aluminum wheels. The multi-slotted, Matte Anthracite design made for a nice looking wheel and tire combination. The Fiat 500X suspension has stabilizer bars at both ends, with McPherson struts and coil springs up front, and coil springs in the rear.
The 500X Trekking handled well to its limits. It was generally smooth, but had a tendency to float or drift at highway speeds. Southern California’s concrete freeways are grooved for water dispersion, and the 500X would track with the grooves. There was noticeable body roll, whether it was on a sweeping highway corner or slower, tight twisties.
The electric power rack and pinion steering is on the heavy side, especially in Sport mode which adds resistance when turning the wheel, added effort to cornering and parking. On the highway there is a lack of direct feedback when you really wanted to feel connected to the road. Along with the earlier noted tendency for the 500X to float at high speeds, road imperfections were felt through the chassis.
Stopping was through the front vented and solid rear rotor brakes. The 500X Trekking comes with an anti-lock brake system, brake assist, all-speed traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, and electronic stability control.
Driving Experience: Exterior
Popular colors of current cars tend to lean toward silver, gray and black. The 2020 500X has these too, but their other exotic sounding exterior colors will make your 500X standout in the crowd. These include our test car’s color Milano Ivory which is joined by Grigio Moda (Graphite Gray); Blu Venezia (Blue Metallic); Arancia (Orange); Vibrante Green Metallic; Blanco Gelato (White); Nero Cinema (Black), and three reds of Amore, Rovente and Rosso Passione. This Easter Egg palette is fun and will make your 500X unique.
The 2020 500X received a freshening, with new front and rear fascias and body-color side moldings. The flared wheel arches are a nice touch, with front-end lighting composed of bi-function LED projector head lamps and cornering front LED fog lights.
Driving Experience: Interior
Interior access is a strong selling point for the 2020 Fiat 500X, with wide doors leading to high seating positions. The interior has good headroom and a wide rear seat. It will seat five, but four is best. Rear seat leg room is tight, and storage behind the rear seat is adequate, far better with the 60/40 rear set folded flat. The optional heated, black leather-trimmed driver and passenger seats had eight-way power adjustment for the driver; six-way manual for the front passenger. The seats up front were firm with good support.
You will appreciate the excellent sight lines, which offer a panoramic view, with outward visuals about the best of any car we have tested.
The Fiat 500X Trekking dash lay out is non-flashy, with a straight-forward convenient design of large gauges with black backgrounds and white numbers. The combination of knobs, switches and buttons for the climate and radio controls are exactly where you want and need them. The exterior body color carried to the dash is a nice and unique touch. The power dual-pane sunroof opened the interior to the world, but the wind noise above 30 mph was too loud to keep it open, especially on the highway.
Our car was equipped with the Customer Preferred Package, which included the Beats Audio system with a subwoofer and eight speakers. The leather-wrapped steering wheel has audio controls that are easy to use for the SiriusXM satellite radio (one-year subscription included) and the AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto complete the audio options. The voice command with Bluetooth for your mobile phone, was clear and easy to use. Completing the infotainment system is a 7.0-inch touchscreen, with Uconnect, navigation, audio input jacks with iPod control and USB port.
All in all it was an easy system to operate with a quick learning curve. A nice feature, the volume (right side) and channel selection (left) buttons are located on the rear of the steering wheel . It is such a natural place for them that it is a wonder all other manufacturers don’t go to this placement.
The 500X had convenience features such as power windows and door locks, power heated exterior mirrors with turn signals, dual zone automatic climate control, front and rear floor mats, remote keyless entry, front 12V power outlet, rain-sensitive front windshield wipers with deicers, rear window wiper/washer, and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.
Safety and Convenience
The 2020 Fiat 500X has not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but is equipped with seven airbags, a rearview camera, engine immobilizer, security alarm, tire pressure monitoring system, brake assist, hill start assist and electronic roll mitigation.
The optional Advanced Driver Assistance package included adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, full-speed forward collision warning, blind spot and cross path detection.
Pricing and Warranties
The 2020 Fiat 500X Trekking Plus AWD has a base price of $25,995. Clean Fleet Report’s test car, with options, had a MSRP of $34,380. All prices do not include the $1,495 destination charge.
All 2020 Fiat 500X models come with these warranties:
- Basic – Four years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain – Four years/50,000 miles
- Roadside Assistance – Four years/Unlimited miles
Observations: 2020 Fiat 500X Trekking Plus AWD
The 2020 Fiat 500X Trekking Plus AWD is a car Clean Fleet Report had high hopes for as it has all-to-itself styling, setting it apart in the very crowded, and competitive, compact crossover segment. So while we found a few things to be pleased with, we just wish Fiat would have tweaked it more to make the 500X a bit better. Actually, a lot better.
You will appreciate the 2020 500X Trekking for its unique design and Italian style. If you like its smaller sibling, the Fiat 500, the 500X offers more space and functionality and, of course, has AWD for added traction.
Built in Melfi, Italy, the Fiat 500X shares the engine and transmission with the Jeep Renegade. When Clean Fleet Report last reviewed the Jeep Renegade in 2017, (with the 1.4-L engine) we rated it highly for its ride, overall versatility and fun-to-drive quotient.
We are not sure why, but those factors don’t carry-over to the 500X. Maybe it is because the 500X is designed for European drivers and driving styles? If this is the case, how different can those be from what is accepted/expected in America? The compact crossover category is the hottest in the market, with no indication of slowing down. If Fiat wants a sizable piece of this segment, then the 500X will need some reworking in the ride, fuel economy, interior comfort and interior noise reduction. In the auto industry, this is called NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness). Three things Fiat engineers can work on for the next generation of the 500X.
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Whatever you end up buying, Happy Driving!
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Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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