Car rally in nearly a tractor Sport in off road mode. This special Fiat 500X formed in 4×4 version, a small SUV very ambitious and versatile: X end … and exciting.

Fiat had the difficult task of converting a base Jeep Renegade in a charming and scented small SUV 500. And indeed, he has succeeded. Practically three cars in one, Fiat now marks its X in a new model with a very comprehensive answer any use, but also with an ambitious range settings, particularly in its 4×4 version, perhaps also fits too large for the current market.

And is that to make a Fiat 500X 4×4 only you will have a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine and 140 hp; only a Cross surname very Campero, offering special bumpers, guards, roof rails and 2 cm high to the extra floor; and only also an eXclusivo 9-speed automatic transmission, signed by ZF and today only see well at Honda and Land Rover. Maybe so, if you look at the category, all this display embarrasses you for a small urban SUV. But, quiet, there will be a mass Fiat 500X, which it assails the market and 4×2 versions, engines 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6, more urban finishes and prices starting below € 17,000.

This configuration of all-wheel drive Fiat 500X now lets try therefore virtually alone in the segment, but it is also the formula that allows us to explore how far a difficult overall performance seen today in its class. It is clear that, for starters, Fiat decided to return to fashion segment with a blow of authority. Because if in 2005 he opened the category with more modest then Fiat Sedici co-produced with Suzuki (SX4 and twin), now the bet is more ambitious. To the supported by a Jeep specialist and framed in the Italian group Fiat seeks today to continue adding both the tug has its seal 500, almost become a brand now more than a model. ¿It does not sound like Mini?

Is it a Jeep Renegade?

thus pointing to the top of the segment, the Fiat 500X is now structure from architecture “Small Wide” used by Fiat in its Grande Punto and 500L, but it evolved through said a new joint development and Jeep Renegade. Nothing to do … neither with one nor another, but very surprising is getting off the latter and jump on the new Fiat. Yes, they share a lot of interior design and buttons, but where the Jeep feel an SUV focusing more ‘all-terrain’, more body weight, and more flexibility suspension and slow response, Fiat 500X perceive the start an SUV pure road, light and fast movements over with a very solid feel and greater containment chassis. Definitely, large work group differentiation.

First Fiat 500X: a sports

We already have, therefore, a first car beginning to let us see this Fiat 500X: almost a sport. It is hard, and not only spring and damper (incidentally, 50 percent stiffer suspension in 4×4 versions a result of their more weight), but also to motor and seat. Here almost it seems to point to a always aggressive Nissan Juke with which you will have an attractive duel. Very seated on expressways, something rebotón to irregularities firm but with a manageable dryness (there are those huge low profile tires and tire 18 inches Grasping, yes, like barnacles!), it is also nimble twists and superb braking, a front end that sticks to perfection … and that, with almost 1,600 kg, Fiat 500X this is not exactly a featherweight, and its highly advanced automatic transmission also happens to be the sportiest market.

I will not deny that the operation of its new automatic 9-speed is generally more than adequate, but neither that, although supplied by ZF, the Fiat group still misses the nail in its management and control, advertising and even important new software adjustments. Both cold as to high demands, something slow changes, also showing slight slippage resulted in ever appreciable cabeceos body, for example, a Land Rover Discovery Sport who rides too. Yes, always keeping the engine beyond 1500 rpm, where the 2.0 Multijet 140 HP abandons its remarkable power and vibrations to show off, get solvency move to a Fiat 500X Uploading according rhythm surprisingly vividness of reactions gives, as also happens in the Juke, a set composed of a short wheelbase, high body, long tire and a firm suspension.

I find so alive, that eventually forget the ‘Sport Mode’ featuring his command `Mood Selector ‘ console, something like the DNA of Alfa Romeo. True, at that time delivers faster torque to a rear train from there contains as can their movements (by the way, as a technical curiosity, formed by a simple and effective axle McPherson to drive WRC) and flatters with meter forces `G ‘and turbo boost pressure. But it is also true that too tense reactions, much worse dosed engine / change response. and more nervous account for Fiat 500X character that I do not think that makes a request concept.

Second Fiat 500X: an SUV

We have seen that it can be, therefore, a sports SUV, maybe even somewhat forced, so put us on track and plays rotating the selector mode this time `Traction ‘, exclusive of the Cross variants instead of ‘All Weather’ offered by 4×2 variants. That’s where the second car emerges that transforms this Fiat 500X: an entire highway.

He multi-plate clutch there becomes more active to ensure effective AWD and, despite this suspension firmness, then a response surprisingly ground above the average, built on a damping, although still somewhat too dry and travel (we measured 2.5 centimeters less than a Jeep Renegade) It works well, also accompanied by the feeling of great solidity and robustness that transmits this Fiat 500X. And, of course, also by a height of 18 cm and angles of attack and outlet (22 and 33º here) than its rivals. Obviously, you do not have locks, descent control or 21 cm of the Trailhawk versions of the Jeep Renegade (another good job of differentiation), but their skills beyond the rational use you can give in the field because, as usual, the limit is put into practice their pure asphalt tires.

And, also here, just at the end leaving the Fiat 500X a ‘Traction’ mode that it includes a own thought change map almost to trialeras why only I venture me almost a Jeep Wrangler. Straighten both to cut 4 cerradísimas first marches, you seem to go with those exaggerated Regimes almost always start with a reductive: very strong, little progress. As the Sport mode, there you have added value if you need it, but I stay and definitely in their third driving mode ‘Auto’.

Third Fiat 500X: a nice SUV

And that’s where you will find a third Fiat 500X and transformed into a pleasant urban SUV … and not so urban. That in that smoothness and you exploit the virtues of a ZF change always starts in 2nd gear (1st you must force which reducing) and immediately connects 3rd, 4th, 5th … to shoot comfortably in 9th and just 90 km / h; that in this Fiat 500X adapts to the ground by circulation, but where usually disconnect the rear to gain efficiency and always take priority with a rolling remarkable quality and good insulation march despite its 2.0 Multijet engine and veteran is not today or acoustic reference, or refined consumption against new blocks 1.6 Diesel: It Has spent on average 6.6 l / 100 km. And that in which you move to streets with good visibility despite his thick A-pillars and, above all, with a good agility, supported by a quick direction which, yes, could gain more precision in its central point.

But, at this point, ¿What about Fiat 500? As you find your indoor environment grafías in multiple customization options and in a design feature that, yes, also ends up paying habitability: Despite its easy access, its many holes, a large space for legs and a nearly flat rear floor, the width and height are fairly broad rear, latter losing up to 11 cm! before the Jeep Renegade. It is again the Nissan Juke effect only real limitation of a Fiat 500X where, if you mount spare wheel, you miss important liters of luggage. Well, and that their audible warnings parking and safety seem bought in a department store. In short, a very good base car, insurance, He rounded conjunction with its most logical version 1.6 Multijet 120 bhp 4×2: Small SUV ‘Extremist’ must pass’ life good, also more suitable in price to enter a segment increasingly hard-fought day and where they also call and the attractive new door Suzuki Vitara, Mazda CX-3 … or soon even a future Audi Q1. Fiat is on track.