2021 FIAT 500X

Barring new seat fabrics and dash inserts, it’s business as usual for Fiat’s all-wheel-drive 500X. A new Sport Appearance Package on entry-level Pop models adds 18-inch aluminum wheels, dual exhaust tips, fog lamps, and exterior trim accents.

The 500X range is easy to navigate, with every model featuring the same engine and transmission. Prices start at $26,325 (all prices include destination) for Pop models, with mid-range Trekking and Sport costing $27,740 and $28,640 respectively. Flagship Trekking Plus retails at $31,240.

There’s only one engine in the 500X range – a 1.3-liter turbo, generating 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. This is supplied to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission, returning an EPA-estimated 24 miles per gallon city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 combined.

Cargo capacity for this five-seater subcompact SUV stands at 14 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, and 32 cu ft once they’re dropped.

As you’d expect from an SUV, there’s an array of airbags including seat-mounted side and through-cabin curtain airbags. There’s keyless entry and remote start, electronic roll mitigation and hill start assist, LED daytime running lights, and an alarm, while all-wheel drive is standard on every model. However, only Trekking Plus receives front and rear park assist, while features like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise are only available as options on higher-end models.

Connectivity isn’t the 500X’s strongest suit, with a standard seven-inch touchscreen powering FCA’s Uconnect system. The basic system does at least offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with front and rear USB ports plus six speakers. Satellite radio comes as standard on Trekking, while Trekking Plus benefits from an uprated eight-speaker stereo and navigation.

The most affordable 500X is pretty basic, though it does come as standard with 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated power exterior mirrors and LED taillamps. There are front bucket seats in the air conditioned cabin, with power windows and a leather-wrapped shift knob.

The $795 Sport Appearance pack borrows many of that model’s design features, including 18-inch wheels, dual bright exhaust tips, and dark gray exterior accents and mirror caps. The fittingly-named Pop Value package represents excellent value at just $300, combining automatic headlamps, a rear park assist system, and an eight-speaker Beats audio system with subwoofer.

There are subtle differences between Pop and Trekking models, with the latter receiving automatic headlamps and fog lamps, a color instrument display, and a reversible height-adjust load floor in the boot.

There are numerous packages available on Trekking, with leather seating a $995 option and LED lighting with front and rear park assistance costing $895 in the Driver Assistance package. Advanced Driver Assist is well worth an extra $500 over the standard package, adding adaptive cruise, automatic high-beam control, lane departure warning, and blind-spot detection with rain-sensitive wipers. The $795 Comfort pack brings dual-zone climate and eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat with four-way power lumbar, on top of overhead ambient lighting, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. You could also spend $1,695 on the Premium pack to receive 19-inch sports wheels, a dual-pane power sunroof, and the Beats audio system.

Changes on Sport models are almost entirely aesthetic, with bright pedals contrasting against a dark headliner and pillars. There’s a Sport bezel and steering wheel, larger 18-inch aluminum wheels shod with performance tires, dark gray mirror caps, and a body-color rear spoiler.

The Driver Assistance, Advanced Driver Assistance, and Comfort packs are available at the same price as on Trekking models, and so is the Premium pack.

This is the first 500X model to receive significant upgrades compared to other trims, with an eight-speaker Beats sound system and navigation taking center stage. Trekking Plus receives front and rear park assist systems, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone air con, LED projector headlamps, and ambient surround lighting.

The Advanced Driver Assistance and Premium packs are still available on Trekking Plus.

Compare 500X Trims Side-By-Side