The 2022 Fiat 500X is the only car Fiat still sells in the United States, but the decision to keep it around does make some sense. Sales in the U.S. have swung overwhelmingly in favor of SUVs in the last 10 years, and Fiat is keeping one foot in the American market with this stylish extra-small SUV. It also comes standard with a distinctively styled interior and all-wheel drive. Unfortunately, the 500X feels underpowered compared to the rest of the competition, and there’s a noticeable lack of storage space for a car that claims to be an SUV. The 500X is based on the Small Wide 4×4 architecture, a platform evolved from the GM Fiat Small platform used for the Fiat Grande Punto and Fiat 500L.
Passenger space is tight in the 500X, and the quality of its interior materials is far from best in class. On the upside, the layout of its controls is good, and the driving position should suit a range of body shapes and sizes. Inside, the 500X also offers a fashionable interior design, although cargo space is limited and rear-seat passengers may find the accommodations lacking. It’s also an attractive cabin—especially the Sport version with its upgraded seats and snazzy styling details. You’ll be able to fit a few bags of groceries in the Fiat 500X, but cargo capacity is low—even for a subcompact SUV—with just 14 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 32 cubic feet when they’re folded.
The 500X undergoes few changes for 2021. The base Pop trim and the midrange Trekking both receive updated seat upholstery and dashboard trim while the Sport model can now be ordered with the Sport Value package. The optional package adds a panoramic sunroof, 19-inch wheels, a Beats stereo system, LED headlamps, front and rear parking sensors, in-dash navigation, and heated front seats. For 2022, the 500X comes in three trim levels: Pop, Trekking and Sport. A turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque is the only engine available across the lineup. It’s connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission that sends power to a standard all-wheel-drive system.
All Fiat 500X models come with a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 177 horsepower. A nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. Fuel economy is so-so for a pint-sized crossover, as the EPA rates the Fiat 500X at 24 mpg city/30 mpg highway. The all-wheel-drive system has three driver-selectable settings to optimize traction in varying conditions. All models come with 17-inch aluminum wheels, except the Sport, which has standard 18s (optional on both Trekking models) and available 19-inch wheels. Regardless of trim level, the 500X isn’t the quickest crossover in this class nor is it the most fun to drive. The Fiat’s suspension is comfortable for highway cruising but loses its composure on curvy back roads.
