Fiat 500X review
The Fiat 500X is a fun and stylish compact SUV that takes the iconic looks of the Fiat 500 and gives them a dose of family-friendly practicality.
Author: Charlie Harvey
22nd Dec 2025 – 8 mins read
When Fiat revived the classic 500 back in 2007, it was a massive hit. So, it was no surprise when they decided to sprinkle some of that retro magic onto a bigger, more practical car. The result was the 500X, a compact SUV that arrived in 2015. It takes all the charm and personality of the little city car and packages it into a family-sized crossover that’s perfect for battling the urban jungle. The 500X is all about style. It’s a car that stands out from the crowd with its funky design and huge range of personalisation options. It’s also decent to drive and comes with a good amount of standard equipment. It might not be the most spacious or high-tech car in its class, but if you’re looking for a crossover with a big personality that will put a smile on your face, the Fiat 500X is a charming and characterful choice.
Pros
- Fun and funky retro styling
- It's a pleasant and enjoyable car to drive
- Comes with a good level of standard equipment
Cons
- Lacks some of the safety kit that comes as standard on rivals
- Limited engine choice on newer models
- Other crossovers offer more spacious interiors
Interior
Dashboard & tech
The fun, retro theme of the outside continues into the cabin of the 500X. The dashboard is dominated by a large body-coloured panel, and the chunky switches and classic-looking dials all add to the car's unique character. It’s an interior that feels cheerful and has a personality of its own, which is a refreshing change from the sensible and sometimes dull cabins of its rivals.
All models come with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can easily connect your smartphone. The quality is decent, but it doesn't feel as premium as a MINI Countryman or Audi Q2. It’s a stylish and functional place to be, but it prioritises charm over cutting-edge technology.
Comfort
The Fiat 500X is a pleasant car to drive, with a comfortable and relaxed feel on the road. The seats are supportive, and the driving position gives you a good view out. It’s a car that feels right at home in the city, with light steering that makes it easy to nip through traffic and park in tight spaces.
It’s not the most refined car on the motorway, but it’s perfectly comfortable for longer journeys. One thing to be aware of is that models with larger alloy wheels can have a firm ride, so if a smooth, comfortable journey is your top priority, it’s worth seeking out a version with smaller wheels.
Quality
Fiat’s reputation for reliability hasn’t always been the best, and the 500X does little to change that image. While no major problems are commonly reported, some owners have mentioned niggling issues with the electrics and bodywork.
The interior quality is a bit of a mixed bag. While the design is fun and quirky, some of the plastics feel a bit hard and cheap, which lets down the overall feel of the cabin. It feels solid enough, but it can’t match the premium build quality of some German rivals.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
If you’re upgrading from a regular Fiat 500, the 500X will feel wonderfully spacious. There’s plenty of room up front for the driver and passenger, and access is easy thanks to the high ride height.
Space in the back seats is acceptable, but it’s not the roomiest car in its class. Most adults will be fine on shorter journeys, but taller passengers might find legroom a bit tight. Rivals like the Renault Captur and SEAT Arona offer more generous rear space, making them a better choice if you regularly carry people in the back.
Boot space
The Fiat 500X has a 350-litre boot, which is a decent size for a compact SUV. It’s big enough to handle the weekly shop or luggage for a weekend away with the family. The boot opening is a good shape, making it easy to load and unload your items.
While it’s a practical space, it’s worth noting that it’s not the biggest in the class. Many rivals offer more luggage room, so if carrying capacity is a top priority, you might want to look elsewhere.
Driving
Driving experience
The Fiat 500X is a surprisingly enjoyable car to drive. The steering is sharp and accurate, and it handles corners with confidence, with less body lean than you might expect from a high-riding crossover. It feels agile and nimble, making it a fun car to drive around town.
The Sport model sharpens things up even further, with tweaked suspension and steering that make it feel even more responsive. It manages to be both fun and comfortable, which is a great combination for a family car. It's a crossover that proves practical cars don't have to be boring to drive.
Performance
The engine range in the latest 500X models is focused on small, efficient petrol units. The main choice is a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine that produces 118bhp. It’s paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and offers perfectly adequate performance for everyday driving, getting from 0-60mph in around 10.5 seconds.
There’s also a more powerful 1.3-litre petrol engine with 148bhp, which comes exclusively with an automatic gearbox. This version is a bit quicker, but if you look at pre-2018 used models, you’ll find a much wider range of engines, including efficient diesels and even some four-wheel-drive options.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
If you want to keep your running costs as low as possible, it’s worth looking for a used diesel version of the 500X. These can officially return over 60mpg, with low CO2 emissions that result in cheap road tax.
The latest petrol engines are not quite as frugal. You can expect them to return around 45mpg in official tests. The good news is that there’s not a huge difference in running costs between the 1.0-litre and the more powerful 1.3-litre engine, so you won’t be heavily penalised for choosing the faster model.
Value for money
The Fiat 500X is competitively priced against its main rivals. It offers a lot of style and a good level of standard equipment for the money. Fiats tend to lose their value quite quickly, which makes the 500X a fantastic used buy. You can find some great deals on nearly-new models, with significant savings to be had compared to the original list price.
Reliability & Warranty
As mentioned, Fiat doesn’t have the strongest reputation for reliability. It’s worth checking any used example carefully and considering an aftermarket warranty for extra peace of mind. From new, all Fiats come with a three-year warranty, which is fairly standard for the industry.
Safety
Safety features
When the Fiat 500X was crash-tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP, it was awarded a four-star rating. This is a respectable score, but many of its key rivals have achieved the full five stars.
One of the main reasons for this is that it lacks some of the advanced safety features that are now commonplace, even on small cars. While all models get lane-keep assist and traffic sign recognition, it’s disappointing that automatic emergency braking isn’t standard across the range.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The 500X is available in a range of stylish trim levels, often with fun names.
Pop: The entry-level model is reasonably generous. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control, and a leather steering wheel.
Connect: This trim adds more stylish touches like larger 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, tinted windows, and automatic lights and wipers.
Cross: This version gets a more rugged, off-road look with different bumpers and satin chrome inserts. It also adds features like a reversing camera and dual-zone climate control.
Sport: The top-of-the-range model gets a full sporty body kit, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual chrome exhausts, and an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel for a racier feel.
Engines
The engine range on post-2018 models is simple and petrol-focused.
1.0-litre FireFly Turbo: This 118bhp, three-cylinder petrol engine is the most common choice. It offers a good balance of performance and economy for everyday driving.1.3-litre FireFly Turbo: A more powerful 148bhp, four-cylinder petrol engine that comes only with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox.