Eric's Autos: Reviewing the 2016 Fiat 500 X
WHAT'S NEW FOR 2016
The 500 X is a new model.
WHAT'S GOOD
A Fiat for those who need four doors - and want all-wheel-drive. Available with either of two engines - main rivals come with just one - and the 500 X's optional 2.4 liter engine is - by far - the strongest one (180 hp) you can get in the $22k-$25k-ish price range (with the exception of the 500 X's Fiat-badged - and skinned - brother, the Jeep Renegade).
About 10 cubic feet more cargo capacity than the roughly same-sized 500 L. Excellent gas mileage (25 city/34 highway) with the standard 1.4 liter engine. Optional (and higher-powered) 2.4 liter engine designed to drink regular unleaded. Available with a manual transmission (Mazda CX-3 and Chevy Trax are automatic-only).
WHAT'S NOT SO GOOD
Manual only offered with the 1.4 liter engine - which is only available in the base/FWD version of this vehicle. Optional 180 hp engine is thirsty - especially when paired with weight-adding AWD. Base 1.4 engine designed to drink premium unleaded.
Nine-speed automatic (mandatory with the 2.4 liter engine) isn't the smoothest box on the road. Costs more than rivals when ordered with AWD. Less total cargo space than most rivals.
UNDER THE HOOD
The 500 X comes standard with the same "Multi-Air" 1.4 liter turbocharged four that's used in the 500 L - but (unlike the 500 L) you can upgrade the X to a larger "Tigershark" 2.4 liter engine, if you want more power. The 1.4 liter engine is pretty powerful, though. Relative to what you get in rivals, anyhow.
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