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By Jonathan Crouch

These days, every mainstream brand needs a small, trendy Crossover. Here's Fiat's take on the Juke-genre, the fashionable 500X. Jonathan Crouch reports on the revised model.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 66

Fiat offers buyers in the small SUV segment an improved version of its characterful 500X Crossover model. It's bigger than it looks and there's a frugal 48V Hybrid four cylinder petrol engine on offer. Plus improved connectivity and a whole stack of personalisation options. You can even get a 'Dolcevita' open-topped version. If you're looking for a surefire conversation starter, you can't do a lot better.

Backgroundword count: 105

It's easy to forget that Fiat actually has a history of small SUV-style cars. The Panda 4x4 first appeared over thirty years ago and has spawned many imitators. A decade or so back, Fiat also fleshed their all-wheel drive selection out with the Sedici, essentially a rebodied Suzuki SX4, that made modest but useful sales. In 2015 though, the company decided to get really serious about the SUV 'B'-segment and launch this 500X, here usefully improved. It's based on the same running gear as Jeep's cute but capable Renegade, but is available only in front-wheel drive guise and comes in standard or open-topped 'Dolcevita' forms.

Driving Experienceword count: 220

Though the 500X continues to be based around Jeep Renegade underpinnings, quite a lot has changed with this car from an engineering perspective. These days, the range is based around a four cylinder 1.5 mild Hybrid engine, which only comes as a DCT auto. This unit puts out 130hp and 240Nm of torque (rest to 62mph in 9.4s) and is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. The propulsion system includes a built-in 48 volt 15kW (20hp) electric motor delivering 55Nm of torque, which can propel the wheels even when the internal combustion engine is turned off. Once underway, you'll find that not much has changed about the way this 500X goes down the road. The ride's still slightly on the firm side, but that means well managed standard of body roll through the bends, which in turn ought to give you the confidence to explore the decent reserves of traction and agility on offer. Inevitably, anything other than very light off road antics are beyond this 500X model's remit, despite its adventurous styling. 4WD is no longer offered as an option and there's just 162mm of ground clearance. But of course, none of this will bother likely buyers. For them, it'll matter only that this is a faithful interpretation of 500 model line values to a larger family-class car.

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