2016 Fiat 500X TESTDRIVENOW.COM FIRST LOOK

2016 Fiat 500X FIRST LOOK

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Car Critic Steve Hammes

2016 Fiat 500X FIRST LOOK

Another flavor of the iconic 500 is now being offered by Fiat. The first all-wheel drive variant, called the 500X, is built upon the company’s subcompact crossover platform that also underpins the new Jeep Renegade.

Dimensionally similar to the 500L and priced from about $20,000, the 2016 500X offers seating for 5 and available all-wheel drive with a disconnecting rear axle for improved efficiency. There’s a choice of 3 powertrain combinations, starting with a 1.4-liter turbo paired to a 6-speed manual transmission, generating 160 horsepower and a model-best 184 pound-feet of torque. The higher horsepower 2.4-liter Tigershark engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic generating 180 horses and 175 pound-feet of torque. Fiat designed the 500X to engage the driver with superior ride and handling, using Koni selective damping shocks and struts and a Dynamic Selector System with 3 modes: Auto, Sport and Traction +. Available advanced safety features include Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Patch detection. And with more than 100 Mopar accessories on tap, customization is at your whim. Trim levels start with the base front-wheel drive Pop and proceed to Easy, Trekking, Lounge and Trekking Plus – all with available all-wheel drive, topping at out at near $30,000.