Summary
The Fiat 500X is a small SUV/crossover hatchback. Although it shares a family resemblance to the Fiat 500 city car (along with most of its name), it is actually a completely different and much larger vehicle.
The 500X was launched in 2014 and received a substantial mechanical update in Summer 2018, although visual changes were minimal.
The Fiat 500X has received mostly average to good reviews from the UK motoring media. It has been praised for being stylish and good to drive, while criticisms have centred around its practicality and space compared to rivals.
From spring 2022, the 500X became available with a mild hybrid petrol engine, which improves fuel efficiency and (unlike most mild hybrid motors) is able to provide a very small amount of electric power to move the car under limited conditions. However, its electrical assistance is much less than that found on a regular hybrid car, which can travel some distance and at normal urban speeds on electrical power alone.
The 500X is due to end production in late 2023, after which it will be replaced by the all-electric Fiat 600e. At this stage, Fiat does not intend to sell a petrol-powered version of the new 600 in the UK, although it will be available in other markets.
As of January 2024, the Fiat 500X holds a New Car Expert Rating of D with a score of 57%.
Key specifications
Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol
Price: From £28,515 on-road
Launched: Summer 2014
Last updated: Spring 2022
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Purely on specification and quality, the latest Fiat 500X cannot overcome major rivals. But it beats them hands down for style, both inside and out.”
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Auto Express
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Fiat 500X is one of the more style-focused offerings in the small SUV/crossover class. It does a good job of extending the iconic design cues of the 500 city car into this segment. Not everyone will fall for the cutesy looks, but those who do will find it a practical lifestyle accessory.”
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Model reviewed: Sport
Score: 7 / 10
“The Fiat 500X Sport is a welcome addition to the line-up. A largely style-focused upgrade, it hits its brief and offers the kind of cool BMW and Audi buyers have been lapping up for years.”
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Autocar
Model reviewed: 1.3 Sport
Score: 7 / 10
“If you have your heart set on a 500X and regularly venture out of town, this is the one to go for.”
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Model reviewed: 500X Cross Plus 1.0-litre petrol manual
Score: 7 / 10
“Fiat’s offering deserves to sell on its character alone – it’s a feelgood car, which is likeable rather than engaging on the road, and still attracts looks from passers-by three years on from its launch. There’s also plenty of kit and it’s certainly far more useable as a small family car than the 500.”
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Car
Score: 8 / 10
“Put it up against other style-led crossovers such as the Mini Countryman, Renault Captur, Citroën C3 Aircross and Peugeot 2008 and it makes a lot of sense. Nothing about the 500X’s looks is at the expense of its performance. It drives well, it’s usefully roomy, it looks after you and feels like it will put up with a good amount of abuse from kids and pets.”
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Car Keys
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Everything that made the original Fiat 500X an appealing, stylish and characterful crossover remains on this latest version. It faces some fierce competition, but the improved new engines and enhanced look are enough to make sure the 500X should still be on your crossover shortlist.”
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Model reviewed: Sport range
Score: 8 / 10
“The Fiat 500X Sport is an ideal model for those wanting a sporty-looking model but without the high running costs or impracticality, as despite its performance styling it remains spacious and easy to live with.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 5.8 / 10
“The Fiat 500X is a stylish and affordable compact SUV which is also great fun from behind the wheel.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 6 / 10
“The Fiat 500X has chic styling and a choice of cheap-to-run and willing petrol engines, but alternatives feel more solidly put together, have more space and better infotainment systems.”
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Heycar
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“We like the Fiat 500X. It’s quirky and characterful, with a bold interior and feel-good factor by the bucket loads. Rivals might be better to drive and more practical, but the Fiat 500X represents very good value for money.”
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Honest John
Score: 8 / 10
“In our view, the 500X is one of the best Fiats to emerge in recent years. It’s easy to drive, fun and will return the same economy as a typical family hatchback. It has more than enough rival the likes of the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur, although those wanting all-wheel drive might be put off by the considerable hike in price.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7.6 / 10
“Low-cost Italian SUV that doesn’t look like an SUV”
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The Sun
“The 500X is a small SUV; it’s what happens when your favourite Fiat 500 grows up.”
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The Sunday Times
Score: 6 / 10
“If you really want to say at parties you drive a 500, there’s a better plan. Buy a Skoda Yeti, then simply remove the badge and screw a Fiat logo to the boot instead.” (Jeremy Clarkson)
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The Telegraph
Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual City Cross
Score: 6 / 10
“This isn’t the most polished of these diminutive SUVs; if space, practicality and safety are priorities, you’ll probably want to look elsewhere. But these new engines have given the 500X a much-needed lift, and its big personality will be enough to convince many buyers.”
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Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 6 / 10
“The 500X perfectly illustrates why the world is being taken over by crossovers.”
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Score: 7 / 10
“Not the most utilitarian choice, but this is exactly what buyers want from a Fiat crossover.”
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What Car?
Model reviewed:
Score: 4 / 10
“The 500X has a nice-looking interior, and many will be sold by the styling alone. There are, however, plenty of other small SUVs in the same price bracket that are more practical, better to drive and offer a higher level of safety equipment and crash protection.
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Model reviewed:
Score: 4 / 10
“Keep it cheap and the 500X is a decent choice; it’s stylish, fairly practical and quite classy inside. That said, a SEAT Arona or Kia Stonic offer a better driving experience and a more complete all-round package.”
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: April 2015
Date expired: January 2022
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 86%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 74%
Safety assist: 64%
Notes on safety rating
The Fiat 500X was awarded a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP back when this model was launched in 2012. However, this rating expired in January 2022 as the 500X no longer met the requirements for a four-star car. This is normal practice, as Euro NCAP reviews its ratings on most cars annually with most ratings expiring after about six or seven years.
However, if you are comparing a used Fiat 500X to vehicles of similar age, whose ratings will have probably also expired, its safety rating score is still useful.
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
As of January 2024, the BMW X3 has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
Total claims: 17
Average repair cost: £359.16
Last updated: January 2024
Reliability score
All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims
The Fiat 500X range has a high reliability rating of 83%, according to extended warranty data from our commercial partner MotorEasy, which puts it well above average. The only caveat to this score is that it currently comes from a small number of data points, so could shift significantly as more claims are added to MotorEasy’s database.
The average repair cost to date is just under £360, with warranty claims being relatively affordable across the board to date.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
Fuel consumption | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 49 mpg | C | 42 – 50 mpg | B – D |
CO₂ output | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
Petrol models | 143 g/km | B | 130 – 175 g/km | A – C |
Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
All models | 19 | A | 7 – 20 | A – A |
Service and maintenance | Cost | Score |
Year 1 | £177 | A |
Year 2 | £493 | A |
Year 3 | £792 | A |
Year 4 | £980 | A |
Year 5 | £1,322 | A |
Overall | £3,764 | A |
The Fiat 500X is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.
Servicing and insurance bills are likely to be better than almost anything else in its class, with an outstanding set of A-grade scores. Unfortunately, fuel consumption is only average for the 500X, and that’s the largest running cost of all. You’ll probably find that similar cars from other brands will cost less in petrol bills each month.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Fiat 500X, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Citroën C3 Aircross | Dacia Duster | Fiat 500L | Ford EcoSport | Ford Puma | Honda HR-V | Hyundai Bayon | Hyundai Kona | Jeep Renegade | Kia Stonic | MG ZS | Mazda CX-3 | Mitsubishi ASX | Nissan Juke | Peugeot 2008 | Renault Captur | SEAT Arona | Skoda Kamiq | SsangYong Tivoli | Suzuki Vitara | Toyota Yaris Cross | Vauxhall Crossland | Vauxhall Mokka | Volkswagen T-Cross | Volkswagen T-Roc
More information
More news, reviews and information about the Fiat 500X at The Car Expert
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