The New Fiat 500X: A Small, Mighty, and Fun Fiat SUV
The 1.3L Turbo Engine in the New Fiat 500X is small, yet mighty.
I used to think that smaller engines were not as powerful as larger engines and were sluggish in acceleration, that is until I drove the Fiat 500X, a Fiat SUV that is an all wheel drive four-door crossover. A smaller engine makes this 500X lighter, increasing acceleration and improving the vehicle’s handling on roads. During a test drive on a very windy roads Upstate New York, the Fiat 500X handled exceptionally well. It packs all the speed of a larger more powerful engine while saving you money on fuel.
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What You Get in the 2019 Fiat 500X Trekking Plus
We drove the top of the line 500X model – the Trekking Plus. It has an MSRP of $34,030, adding additional premium Trekking options that include 17-inch matte black machined aluminum wheels, chrome daylight opening molding, LED projector headlamps and LED fog lamps.
The Trekking Plus is just that: A plus with eight-way heated leather power front seats that also have four-way lumbar support. This comes in handy, making long drives comfortable.
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I also loved the 7-inch touch screen infotainment system and navigation radio that provides turn-by-turn navigation directions with outstanding sound from the eight-speaker audio system. This was essential in helping my driving partner and I reach our destinations safely and on time.
In addition to the above-mentioned features, the Fiat 500X has over 70 safety features. Including all the top ones you’d want for optimal safety on the road :
- adaptive cruise control
- front parking sensors
- blind-spot monitoring
- auto high beams
- forward collision mitigation
- lane departure warning systems
- rain sensing wipers
It is a Sleek and Chic All-Weather, All-Terrain Vehicle
The 2019 Fiat 500X didn’t only just come with a new engine, but also some cool features that will allow the adventurous drivers to enjoy some fun. Like three driving modes: auto, sport, and all-weather.
- Auto -this mode is for everyday driving and designed to ensure optimal fuel efficiency, low emissions, and driving comfort.
- Sport – allows for a sportier feel and is tuned for a faster driving response
- All-Weather (Traction +) – maximizes low-speed traction on low friction and off-road surfaces by providing additional wheel slip.
Of course, during the drive, I put the Fiat 500X in Sport, which added an extra dynamic and helped with quick and safe passing. This feature definitely assisted in helping the vehicle become more agile on the road. The sport and all-weather driving modes are assisted by the Fiat 500Xs now standard all-wheel-drive to help maximize the vehicle’s traction.
Yup, AWD is one less thing you have to pay for in the 2019 version of the 500X.
The 2019 Fiat 500X is the Crossover for Compact SUV Lovers
As someone whose go-to vehicle is an SUV, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed driving the 500X. It had the height that I love in an SUV. The front interior was roomy and the leather seats were comfortable for a nearly two-hour-long drive. Cargo space is decent with a fold-flat front passenger seat plus 60/40 split-folding rear seats that increase cargo capacity. Even with the rear seats upright, I can fit a few bins, at least eight shopping bags, and/or three copy-paper sized boxes in the trunk. And unlike an SUV, which are usually gas guzzlers, the fuel-efficiency in the 500X is impressive. The EPA estimates the new engine gets 26 mpg combined (24 city/30 highway) with all-wheel drive.
And for SUV fans who hate driving and parking and paying for gas for a large vehicle, there’s a lot to love. Because everyone loves to root for the little guy!
Disclosure: I was Fiat’s guest for this test drive; all opinions are my own.
Categorized:Car Reviews
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