Fiat 500X Hybrid Review

Introduction

The Fiat 500X, the big brother to the ever-popular Fiat 500, has been on the market since 2014. The latest update sees a handful of changes here and there to the styling, but they are so subtle that you may well miss them. That’s not a bad thing, though, as it has plenty of charm already.

The most significant change - and the reason for driving what is effectively an ageing model - is that Fiat has added a hybrid system. With a battery pack and electric motor designed to aid the petrol engine, does this make the Fiat 500X a better option for buyers than its rivals?

At a Glance

Like all other manufacturers, Fiat has started the journey towards electrification, launching a pure electric version of the Fiat 500. 

It’s stopped short of doing the same with the 500X, adding a tiny 0.8kWh battery pack alongside the 1.5-litre petrol engine instead to create the Fiat 500X Hybrid. Improved efficiency is promised as a result.

The Fiat 500X has proved to be a popular option for buyers who like the cute, rounded look of the Fiat 500 but need a touch more space. 

While there is plenty to like about the 500X, particularly if you’re a fan of retro styling, is it a case of style over function?

While there aren’t any other significant changes to the 500X, Fiat has taken the opportunity to improve the safety technology onboard and added a bit more kit. 

It’s still probably a car you’ll choose with your heart rather than your head, though.

Key Features

There’s been little outstanding about the 500X since its launch in 2014 beyond its cute styling. Now the hybrid system has been added, there’s another talking point.

Don’t get too excited, though, as this falls far from being a plug-in model. Using the same ‘self-charging’ techniques you’ll find in any other hybrid, power still comes from a 1.5-litre petrol engine with help from an electric motor and its 0.8kWh battery pack.

Ground-breaking, it isn’t. 

However, it’s a step toward sleeping the ageing 500X relevant for a few more years before new owners Stellantis cut the cord and replace it with something based on a Peugeot 208.

We test drove the (RED) trim level - yes, that’s what Fiat has called it, capital letters, brackets and all - created in association with the charity Product Red, co-founded by U2’s Bono and supported by Fiat.

As well as raising awareness of Project Red's work, the car gets flash alloy wheels, dark plastic cladding around the car to give a pseudo-rugged look, and roof rails. There are also red wing mirrors, but they obviously don’t stand out on our red-coloured car.

Performance & Drive

The 1.5 FireFly Turbo T4 48V (to give it its full title) petrol engine that sits in the 500X Hybrid works alongside a 20hp electric motor creating 130hp that will take the 500X to 62mph in 9.4 seconds.

It’s not exactly rapid, but Fiat isn’t pitching this as a performance car.

The tiny 0.8kWh battery produces just enough pure electric power to keep you creeping along in traffic for a couple of miles if you’re gentle with it, so don’t expect to cruise around in a zero-emission mode for very long. 

Instead, the car will use a combination of petrol power and electrical energy to maximise efficiency.

There’s a seven-speed automatic gearbox that should make life smoother and easier, but the reality is very different; it spent most of its time getting confused about what gear it wanted to be in, leading to awkward progress at anything but a constant speed. 

Worse, it spent an age deciding what to do when pulling away, leaving you (very briefly) stranded as you pull out of a side road, which doesn't build confidence in the car. We even checked if there was a problem with our car and tried out another model, but with the same result.

The 500X Hybrid is fitted with 17-inch wheels as standard and gives a perfectly adequate level of comfort over smoother road surfaces. You’ll feel plenty rumbling through the cabin on rougher stretches, though, where the car rarely settles. 

The car is relatively quiet and refined at motorway speeds, so long journeys won’t be arduous. Around town, the steering is incredibly light and easy, so manoeuvring and parking are simple and require minimal effort. 

While it’s a cinch in urban areas, for those wishing to enjoy driving rather than just getting from A to B, the whole experience lacks a little feeling.

Running Costs

There’s an expectation that a hybrid drivetrain will result in impressive economy gains, but our onboard computer displayed just 45mpg after some relatively gentle urban driving. Still, that’s close to the official 49.5mpg the car promises under WLTP testing, but it’s nothing to write home about.

A three-year warranty will see you through an average lease deal but compares unfavourably to Kia’s seven-year warranty or Toyota’s impressive 10-year ‘Relax’ package. Fiat’s package does, however, cover you for unlimited miles, unlike most of its rivals.

Servicing is required once a year, with a major service every other year or 30,000 miles.

Interior

There haven’t been any significant changes to the interior of the 500X since its arrival eight years ago, but that’s not really a bad thing. The styling has always had that retro feel, so it can’t age too severely and retains a charm that stands it clear of more mundane rivals.

The (RED) model improves matters a little, as it’s every bit as bold inside as it is outside, with a bright strip running the entire width of the cabin painted to match the exterior colour - it looks magnificent in red, although may not be quite so appealing in black.

A triple-barrelled instrument binnacle holds all the essential dials and information you’ll need, with the 7.0-inch touchscreen mounted high up in the centre of the dash.

The system also includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. However, there’s no handy space for a smartphone to sit, so it’ll end up either in a cup holder or scooting around on the passenger seat and then the floor.

While the infotainment screen is quite small, it’s clear and usable. You aren’t solely reliant on the screen for those more frequently used features such as volume and climate controls, as physical buttons are available too, with many dotted around the screen itself. That’s good for safety, as you won’t be distracted while you scroll to the right menu.

Surprisingly, given its relatively compact nature, the Fiat 500X has a decent amount of space both front and rear. There is a good amount of space in the cabin, with decent head and leg room, particularly in the front of the car. The exception is the Dolcevita version with its fabric slide-back roof, which significantly impacts rear headroom.

The boot isn’t as generous as the passenger space, though, with just 350 litres - significantly less than you’ll find in a Ford Puma or Nissan Juke, for example.

Safety

Fiat hasn’t spent much time renewing the looks of the 500X Hybrid. Still, it has upgraded the safety equipment on offer, adding a host of gadgets to keep you out of trouble, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping and blind spot assist, and a driver drowsiness detector.

Not all 500X models get all the kit as standard, so be sure you know what you’re getting.

Euro NCAP last tested the car in 2015, where it scored a slightly disappointing four stars from a possible five. While the structure of the 500X hasn’t changed since then, the additional safety equipment detailed above will go some way towards mitigating issues. That said, Euro NCAP’s testing regime has got more demanding, too.

Options

Every 500X comes pretty well equipped, regardless of what trim level you choose, including LED headlights, climate control, half-leather interior, the 7.0-inch infotainment system, alloy wheels, cruise control and a reversing camera. 

Sport adds some, well, sporty touches, including larger alloy wheels. Our (RED) model adds a bit of extra style and a Comfort Pack that includes a front sliding armrest, ambient lighting and a rear USB port, but little additional essential kit, so don’t feel the need to splash out on it unnecessarily.

There are just two options available on (RED) models; a spare wheel for £250 and a choice of paint for £550. If you want it in white, that’s included. 

A Cross+ and Sport+ pack is available for the Cross and Sport models respectively, each adding larger wheels and some extra comforts for an additional £1,500.

Rival Cars

Arguably, every small SUV is a rival, from the Kia Stonic to the Mini Countryman. However, being so style-led, the 500X gravitates towards a field of fashionable rather than functional competitors.

The Jeep Renegade is an obvious competitor, especially when you realise it shares the same chassis and engines as the 500X. It looks chunky, like a Jeep should, but remains capable on the road, but it’s got surprisingly limited practicality, and most aren’t 4x4 models.

Nissan has added a hybrid powertrain to its Juke. The compact SUV is pleasant enough, with an eye-catching design, but the interior feels a little last-generation, and there are better models to drive.

Arguably the most boring option is the best; the Skoda Kamiq is spacious, comfortable, good value, economical and reliable. It’s not exactly a style icon, though.

Verdict

Eight years is a long time in the car world, and persevering with a model beyond that needs something unusually capable. The 500X isn’t, falling well short of class-leading and only just scrapes into being competitive. There’s enough space for a small family, but the car falls short in most other areas, especially compared to capable rivals such as the Skoda Kamiq.

The hybridisation of the model feels like an afterthought, too, with the result offering neither spectacular economy nor impressively low emissions. It’s a handy update to what went before but hasn't done enough to propel the 500X up your list of cars to consider.

Where to next?

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*Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews of the Fiat 500X

**Correct as of 30/08/2022. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments or £2,391.93 Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.