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- Fiat has updated its 500X range and added an Extended Soft Top model to the offering.
- The range includes a choice of Cross and Sport derivatives.
- Pricing starts at R509 900.
Fiat South Africa has refreshed their 500X range to include the Cross and Sport derivatives and an Extended Soft Top model in the place of previous Cult and Connect variants.
The Fiat 500 is one of the most successful modern iterations of an automotive icon, achieving what BMW and Volkswagen failed to do with the Mini and Beetle by sticking to the basics. When launched, the 500X kept everything that makes the 500 great and combined it with the practical attributes of an SUV.
Following the latest model launch in 2021, key updates have been added along with introducing the Fiat 500X Sport Extended Soft Top in Sport trim.
Open-air motoring
This addition to the range features a folding fabric roof that extends the length of the car, and while it may be cool, the name Extended Soft Top most certainly is not; why didn't Fiat just call it a ragtop or a cabrio instead?
The electrically operated folding system offers a panoramic open-air experience in just 15 seconds at speeds up to 100km/h. It allows for open-air motoring without the additional weight of a glass roof while being safer than a cabriolet, especially in a country known for robot robberies.
Along with the closed roof model, the 500X Sport is differentiated by body-coloured wheel arch mouldings, side skirts and 19-inch wheels, along with Sport badging and dual chrome exhaust tips. The interior features techno leather, an Alcantara steering wheel and steering wheel binnacle, a titanium-styled finish on the dashboard and a 3.5-inch TFT colour cluster.
The seven-inch Uconnect HD touchscreen is primitive in terms of its user experience but offers Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring capability.
Roof rails, skid plates, black mirror caps, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and fog lights distinguish the 500X Cross.
The addition of traffic sign recognition and speed advisor, a rearview camera and lane assist has bolstered the driver assistance offering.
Under the bonnet
Doing duty under the bonnet of both models is Fiat's well-known 1.4-litre direct injection petrol engine paired with a fully automatic six-speed DDCT transmission. With 103kW at 500rpm and 230Nm at 1 750rpm, the engine does a good job of propelling the 500X while using just 5.7 litres per 100km. Power delivery is smooth, and ride quality is above average despite the large wheel fitment.
Conclusion
While the 500X does what it says on the box by offering SUV styling in a slightly larger package than its iconic younger sibling, I do feel that at the price, motorists have a massive amount of variety to choose from in the very competitive compact SUV segment.
While funky Italian design and styling are attractive to some, I don't think it is enough to make it a compelling choice in the segment.
Pricing
All models are sold with a five-year or 100 00km warranty, roadside assistance, and a three-year or 60 0000km service plan.
Fiat 500X Cross: R509 900
Fiat 500X Sport: R560 900
Fiat 500X Extended Soft Top: R580 900
