Eric's Autos: Reviewing the 2016 Fiat 500 X
Four legs good, two legs bad! was the cry of the rebellious animals in Orwell's other classic, Animal Farm. This applies to cars as much as politics.
Two "legs" (doors) are generally bad when it comes to trying to make a buck. They don't sell in quantity because most people need more in the way of practicality. Even Porsche has had to deal with this reality by adding the four-door Cayenne and Panamera to the mix. Fiat's feeling the same heat.
As perky and fun as the 500 micro-car may be, it's a hard sell because it's just too small - and has two few doors. The Italians rushed the 500 L to the front lines last year to address the problem. It had four doors - and more room - but it didn't go over very well.
t had four doors - and more room - but something was still lacking. It hasn't sold especially well - notwithstanding that other smallish (and FWD-only) box cars like the Kia Soul and Scion xB have sold well.
What was missing? Maybe it's more engine - and the option of AWD? Enter the 500 X. It has both. Or at least, they're available. Plus a higher-rent interior, more electronic features and more cuteness than a barrel full of dimples. This could the Fix that "Tony" has been looking for!
WHAT IT IS
The 500X is Fiat's new subcompact crossover SUV. It's related to the Jeep Renegade - Jeep being owned by Chrysler (and Chrysler now owned by Fiat) and shares engines (and transmissions) but doesn't have the Jeep's off-road capability. It's meant to be more of an urban hipster than a backwoods trail blazer.
Base price is $20,000 for the Pop trim with FWD, turbocharged 1.4 liter engine and a six-speed manual transmission. The priciest X is the Trekking Plus, which comes with AWD, a larger 2.4 liter engine and the option to buy a dual-pane glass roof, a Beats premium audio system and electronic safety features such as lane departure warning and forward collision warning. This one stickers for $27,100.
Major rivals of the 500 X include the Honda HR-V ($19,115 to start) Mazda CX-3 ($19,960 to start) and the Chevy Trax ($20,120 to start).
If you can manage with a tight second row, you might also want to cross-shop the Mini Countryman - especially the S ALL4 (AWD-equipped) version. It stickers for $27,870 - within a few hundred bucks of the price of a 500 X Trekking Plus.
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