Used 2016 FIAT 500X Consumer Reviews

Weeks of research led me to this great decision

After my wife and I (and eventually our two teenagers) shared a VW Beetle for 12 years, we wanted to get a new car. I researched the VW Beetle turbo, which I loved but my wife wanted a four door. Drove the VW GTI which I also loved but that's a cramped racer, we needed more room. Seriously considered a Nissan Juke AWD (turbo) -- the Nissan has excellent power but it's got small cargo capacity and most of all the Nissan has a loud cabin at highway speeds. Tried out a Subaru XV (good cargo capacity but lousy power) and a Subaru Forester (so ugly, and too large), and VW GTI. I kept coming back to the Fiat 500x, test drove one on three different occasions. Here's why I chose the Fiat, and what I think of the car after driving it for just three days. You get a quiet ride with the 500x, at 80 MPH the car just floats along like a luxury car. Quieter than the Subaru XV, the 500x also holds the road like a substantial vehicle whereas the XV seems more like a lightweight. The 500x is so much quieter than the Juke, you can hardly compare them (though the Juke has turbo and pulls with greater power). Styling of the 500x (Trekking) is superior, and it grows on you. Every time I look at the 500x I like it more! Seats are comfortable on long distance drives. I made one 500 mile trip the day after purchase, and I fit right in to the seats. My 500x has manual, non-heated, fabric seats. I like the brown leather upgraded seats offered, but didn't want to pay the high price for the options package that includes them. I have also tested the AWD function, as we had a freak rain storm yesterday. You turn the dial to traction mode and it really works. You can view the wheel spin percentages for each wheel on your dash, but choosing that option with the steering wheel controls. I don't know how this technology has been developed but it seems very sophisticated. All of this for a brand new car I bought for about $23,000. What a great value. Thank you Fiat. Update January 2018 — 32,000 miles on the car and it still looks and drIves great. Zero problems. Update January 2020 — 68,000 miles. I did have a mechanical issue with the coolant system. It required a new part. Other than that, no problems. Interior still looks good. I like the quality of the seats. Paint looks new. At idle in gear the car shakes a bit more than you’d think is normal. Very pleased with the purchase. January 2021: 84k mi. Car still looking great. Have used the AWD system in snow. Works well. Front driver seat showing a crack. Mysterious rattle. Runs great. The transmission shifts less smoothly. Very low maintenance. July 2022: 95k mi. Car runs like a champ. Did need to have motor mounts changed which sounds drastic but the local dealer did it under our extended warranty and it wouldn't have been that expensive anyway. I think the 2016 model year had poor motor mounts, so the car was making a noise at idle. New motor mounts fixed it. Other than that we have replaced the brakes and are on third set of tires. We are still happy with our 500X.

I traded my Miata for this!

After owning my 500x Trekking Plus for over a year now I can say I love it even more. Its served us well , we’ve gone on several road trips and even started a new biz with her. ( Online Antiques and a booth in Vero Beach ) Fiat is a great value.. and gets a bad rap, its connection to Mopar doesnt help. In a year of owning the car the only thing to fail was a Chrysler sourced MOPAR design fan assembly that Fiat ( FCA ) took care of immediately. Mopar fans have a long history of failures in many Dodge- Chrysler vehicles. But FCA is great. They told me it was imperative I get the car back into the dealer and they had the car for three weeks ( parts delay ) but they rented another car for me and I paid nothing . My dealers customer service was above par. So see my experience with my Fiat is that it’s been 100% reliable except for the American part that failed. But she is back running better than ever and I have no complaints . My original review contnues now.. Due to an unknown injury I came down with severe sciatica in my left leg and hip. My doctor said it was probably exaserbated by twisting in and out of my low to the ground 2013 Mazda MX5. So I was on the hunt for something that was easy to get into. By far, and I have owned 25 cars now in my lifetime as a 55-year-old man, the Fiat 500 X is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. Plus after even after having Mercedes and BMWs I find it's electronics , infotainment system and build quality, superior. Fiat is right up there with Mazda in their top-of-the-line cars giving consumers the most bang for the buck you can possibly get for under 30,000. Even a stripper Fiat comes with creature comfort's that you don't see another cars like fully automatic headlamps. Such a minor thing but a nicety none the less . My Fiat 500 X Trekking Plus is top-of-the-line and is only missing one option , the all-wheel-drive feature and the only reason I don't have it is because it's next to impossible to get in Florida for some reason. None of the dealers are ordering it. But never mind, my car comforts me with the heated seats ,the leather, cornering lamps (by the way the cornering lambs are amazing, like personal luxury cars of yesteryear) the dual pane panoramic sunroof, Beats stereo , navigation, back up cam, crash sonar, ...omg the list goes on...it's gonna probably take me two weeks to figure out how to operate every single feature this car has. And with all the geegaws comes a glass smooth ride with none of that herky-jerky transmission stuff that other people talk about, and the solid feel that you get when you shut a BMW door..that wonderful muffled thunk. Plus, my dealer extends the warranty to 10 years 100'000 miles ! I think that Fiat is undervalued and this car is a game changer for the Fiat brand in America. I want to address some of the bad reviews this car gets. In reading them, I find the people who write negative comments about the cars transmission, hesitation, etc are probably bad drivers, or have expectations that could not be met by a crossover. In owning my car and having driven several others in its class , the Fiat 500x offers the best value. For instance , the 500x Trekking Plus has a power seat, the Mazda CX3 doesn't. It's not available. The CX3 gets praise from auto journalists, but it's based on the old Mazda 2 which was a dog and sold poorly. So much for objectivity, the Mazda 2 has been dropped. . Also ,to write a review based on simply driving a rental, should not be alllowed! Rental cars get beat to Hades and back. The 500x takes getting used to. I had to learn how the electric parking brake works, it's not the most intuitive thing. But the 500x truly is a fun, well built rig.

E in Everett loves this baby SUV!

After test driving everything in this class, and I mean everything, nothing compared to the 500X. Excellent quality, great value, and it fits like a glove. I read the reviews about it being crammed and the whining about the way it shifts. I'm 5' nothing so I have no issues with room. Power delivery is very smooth and more than enough for this class. Very comfortable both in town and on the freeway. I'm not worried about reliability. I also own a 500C and have never had any issues with it. Fiat may not be popular and that's fine with me. I get to drive something I love and not see 20 of them in the parking lot everywhere I go. I'm also getting great mileage to boot :)

Beware...

Purchased this Fiat 500X Trek, several weeks ago. I experienced my first breakdown, halfway, during my one hour drive home from the dealer. It shut off at 40 mph, and was difficult to start afterwards. Was instructed by my salesperson to take it to the service department the very next day, which I did, with the engine light on for the entire trip. They read the onboard diagnostic. The service tech expained that the computer was reading fault codes and self correcting as it learns. This conclusion set uneasy with me, but I was inclined to take my service manager's advise. Was sent out the door with instructions to return if any further problems. This very same day, I made it half way home, when I stopped for a soda. Upon attempting to restart my vehicle, it would not start. After several attempts of starting the moter, I called the service dept back to report my problem, but was only able to leave a message. After waiting 20 minutes for thier call back, I again attempted to start the motor, and was successfull. Engine light was on however, and it seems to be running out of tune, with little power. The service department finally returned my call, and instructed me to return the vehicle again, which I did the very next day. And was awarded a rental car. After about 8 days, I was advised that my Fiat had a new onboard body computer module installed, and that it was fine and ready for pick up. I finally made my first successful trip home with this car. However, the very next day, The vehicle became difficult to start, and remained in 3rd gear at all times, with the engine light on. So, again, another call to the service department, and I was advised to have the vehicle towed, which I did with the assistance of the Fiat Roadside Assistance, and a local towing service, and was awarded another rental vehicle. After several days, I was advised that there was a loose/corroded ground wire on the side of my transmission, which was repared, and my vehicle was ready for pick up. Once again, I picked up my vehicle, and did make a successful trip home. However... the very next day, having driven about 30 miles, the vehicle shut off while driving at about 25 mph. I did finally restart, but stayed in 3rd gear at all times, and showed an engine light on. I pulled off the road again, and called the service department. There were several attempts at reaching them on this occassion. And my family and I found ourselves stranded for some significant period of time. After a long period of time, the vehicle restarted, engine light did stay on, however it was switching through the automatic gears successfully, so I limped the car back home. Once again, another rental vehicle and yet another tow sevice back to the service department, where my vehicle sits at this time. To summerize, my vehicle has been in service 4 times in as many weeks, remains there to date, has less than 500 miles, all of them being to the service department and back. I have serveral hundred dollars tied up in rental car deposits, and am very disappointed. The most distressing thing is shutting down while in motion. I find this to be very dangerous under some driving and traffic conditions. I will on Monday, ask this Fiat dealer to buy back my car. It is my hope that this car is the "lemon:, and not the entire model. As I do really like this line up of cars, I am sure my dealer could satifactory place me in another like and kind of Fiat, 500X AWD, and look forward to that discussion. Just saying...beware. Okay, 2 years later. After a very hard and lengthy bout with Chrysler Fiat, my Fiat was determined to be a "lemon", and was replaced. It's been a couple years in my new Fiat. At this time, this new 500x continues to run strong, with regular maintenance as oil changes, etc... Only complaint I have at this time, would be the trim of the vehicle. It's all glued from factory, and has been coming off all around the car. That would be the rubber and chrome strips and moldings. Leaving a very sticking substance underneath that seams to get on everything. Clothes, hands, the dog. Very annoying, and ugly looking. But hey, it starts and goes. Would not purchase another one though. Good Luck.

Better than i thought

After owning the 500X over a year I figured a review might help some people interested in the car. It's actually much better than most people give credit for. Fiat does indeed have some issues but most are for the 500 or 500L. The 500X is the only Fiat available in the US that's actually made in Italy, and shares the platform with the Jeep Renegade. I have the base model "POP" and actually very happy I got that one, the 6 speed manual gives a sporty feel and the little turbo 1.4L (same as in 500 Abarth) loves to rev, it sounds pretty cool too. The interior is much better even in the low end trim, the fabric is comfortable and it doesn't feel all cheap plastic inside like Honda,Hyundai etc. Make sure you Scothguard the fabric seats though they stain just from rain (but clean up well). I have had no problems yet at 10K miles, time will tell but all cars have problems at some point. If you're in the market for a small crossover it's worth a test drive and for the money the POP really has everything most people need in a daily driver (just get some nice aftermarket speakers/sub for the audio system) Update 12/12/17: Happy to report no issues at 22K miles. Still feels a solid buy and no rattles,squeaks or leaks. Fiat gets bashed a lot & maybe for good reason, but I’ve owned Toyota’s ,Honda’s, Fords and Mazda’s but never felt a connection to them like I do to my lil bambina! Those cars are good yes & so are many others, but they have no personality, no soul. You either want coffee or espresso.

No not the tiny Fiat, the NEW Fiat with AWD!

Pro's: Very stylish! ( A cross between a Mini Cooper and a CRV) All Wheel Drive at a good starting price (around $24K) Easy to drive and easy to park Small, but not too small. Gas efficient Keyless entry and remote start Con's: Issues with the VIN#'s, resulted in me having a hard time insuring the Car. It would have been nice if the dealership told me about this known issue before I drove off the lot!!! I was only able to find one insurer for my new car, which means I didn't get the best rate. I went back to the dealership and they provided me with a VIN # verification form- hopefully that does the trick. They slipped a piece of paper in my car, with information about the issue when I bought the car. Again, it would have been nice if they addressed the issue up front. I leased the car and the dealer didn't really go over what maintenance is covered under the warranty/lease. Where as we just leased a Toyota for my husband and they scheduled the first oil change in 6 months before we even left the dealership. Back seat is just large enough for passengers, but I imagine somebody 6' tall would have issues back there. Overall, I'm very happy with the car so far.

Almost 3 years with the Fiat 500x

We have owned the car for almost 3 years and have had no major problems with the car. We have gone through several dealerships in Dallas as one closed and a new one opened up. They have done a good job for the scheduled maintenance and have taken care of all of its needs. I upgraded with door sill covers and the spare tire kit. I highly recommend those items. Thanks FIAT! We love our European crossover. Sept-19: Entering the 4th year of ownership and we have had only minor issues. There was a recall notice regarding the radiator fan. Dealership took care of this in quick order. Everything else has held up well and the car still looks new and fresh. I will be needing new tires soon but that is just about the only thing that will need attention.

Fun and Luxury in the Same Package

I have owned my FIAT 500X for almost 7000 miles, and I could not be happier with my decision. I had narrowed my choices down to the Honda CRV, Kia Sportage, and the 500X. Each vehicle had a nice ride and good acceleration, and also had its particular strong points. For instance, the CRV-EX had several cool features (sunroof, lane watch, etc.) and got the best gas mileage. The Sportage had a nice interior and the largest back seats and cargo area. The FIAT was the most comfortable and looked great inside and out; I would compare the interior to a luxury SUV, but for half the price. I briefly looked at the Mini Countryman S, but I did not want to pay for a turbo charger (just one more expensive item to break) to get an adequate amount of power. I read many reviews (Edmunds and elsewhere) that gave the FIAT negative marks for their transmission and their acceleration. I will say that I needed to get used to the gas pedal, it is different from any other car I have driven. Once I figured out how to press the pedal (I know it sounds crazy, but give it a week or so), my driving experience became much more enjoyable. That was when I no longer experienced the “jerkiness” that many of the reviews had mentioned. Instead, I found that the silky smooth transmission shifts quicker than other cars, and it is even more fun to drive in the “Sport” mode. The engine is really strong and quiet, and the ride is smooth and quiet at highway speeds. More importantly, passing at highway speeds is very easy. I have not experienced any of the hesitation that other reviewers have mentioned, and most of the time I am at or over the speed limit much quicker than I expect. Gas mileage has been good but not great at 28 MPG, but this is a very small price to pay for such a nice car. In addition to the engine and transmission, I cannot say enough good things about the interior and the technology. It has higher ground clearance, so I can get in and out of it very easily. The seats and the dash layout really feel like they came out of a much more expensive European luxury SUV. I did not get all of the “bells and whistles” on my model, but I did want the options that are made to keep me and my family safe. The one I use most often is the “Rear Cross Path Detection” that informs me about unseen vehicles approaching from the side when backing out of a parking space. Very nice. The FIAT 500X really has made my commute more fun and enjoyable, and I never thought I would say that about a vehicle.

So Far So Good

Only had our 500X AWD for a month, but it seems to handle the curves in the mountains of NC/TN very well. Also the AWD seems to handle the rain better than our FWD Corolla. Notice some reviews complain on the shifting, my experience switch to "sport" when you know you need more responsive shifting. Works for us. Not really comfortable front seats but for a compact SUV I can live with it. Only real complaint is the factory navigation and trying to find an update for it online. Google maps very up to date but would like NAV to be updated so I can leave phone alone totally and use factory hands free. Look forward to this fall/winter to see how the AWD holds up.

Gets a lot of attention!

This car is actually fun to drive, and it gets a lot of attention, with people pointing at it! It's pretty roomy in the front. The back is so-so. Great for kids or smaller people. I bought the 2.4 AWD. It hugs the road nicely. The auto shifting is a bit rough. It takes some time getting used to. The stereo rocks, and there are USB ports. It was very easy to sync the phone. The middle screen on the dash has a lot of computer "stuff" that you can program. IE-Alerts you when you are going a certain speed that you have set, outside temp, miles to empty etc. Plus you can have it show digitally MPH (The speedometer to the left of that screen actually is the "old school" 20, 30, 40 etc with the lines for each 5MPH increment. All in all I give it a 4. I would give it a 5, but it's a bit slow pulling into traffic. It doesn't "lag", however. It slowly but steadily increases in speed. It's a quiet ride, and once you hit 70+ MPH it's very smooth. I like it! THUMBS UP.

Unreliable little car; terrible customer service

I have had this car for just over two years -- it has just under 13K miles on it and has been in the shop 9 (yes 9!) times. There have been 5 problems, including a broken tailgate latch, a broken door handle, a broken speaker, a malfunctioning forward collision mitigation system (which took 5 times to fix!) and now an engine warning light with a message saying "drive selection mode not available." Despite paying an extra $3,000 for an upgraded warranty that includes a loaner car, I have to argue with the dealer every time to actually get that loaner car. In total I have been without this car for weeks on end and an really tired of taking it in for service and with dealing with uncaring and incompetent service personnel. For the current problem I have now been without my car for two weeks, and when I called FCA headquarters I was told that the dealership hasn't even looked at it yet...how is that acceptable? And FCA customer care...they have been of little help. They denied a lemon law claim and that department refused to even call and tell me. They had the woman who I spoke to at customer care make the call and she left me a message that sounded like she was being held hostage...she was so apologetic and actually said "they are making me call you and I'm really sorry they won't respond to you" -- how often do you end up feeling bad for the customer service staff? Geez.... So, in summary, let me say that purchasing this car has been a horrible mistake. Until FCA actually does something to make this right, my new goal in life is to warn others away from purchasing any of their vehicles...buyer beware!!

After 3 years this car needs to go

My Fiat 500x has been named Bambino. Awesome drive, great shifting, acceleration (especially sport mode). The summers are unbearable because the a/c vents are few with poor circulation. Over the last 3 yrs my car has broken down 3x...it sucks. I'm sorry I gave it such a good review originally and never updated. It's had so many factory issues I can't deal. Searching for a new vehicle. It can't get through heavy rains...be careful it'll break down. Such a shame.

8.5 year update

I've owed my 500X Lounge for 8.5 years and have just over 69,000 miles and I still could not be any happier! I just love driving this car! I'm not sure why so many auto reviews are so hard on it. The car has been reliable but I've had a few repairs to the cooling system over the last 4k miles, otherwise no issues. FIAT has been really good about staying on top of any issues with a few recalls over the years. One of the few complaints I had about the car was that there was excessive vibration at idle so FIAT issued a TSB where the motor mounts could be replaced at no cost. I went to my dealership, and they replaced it without question. Since then, the car feels like a COMPLETELY different vehicle. Other than that, fuel economy is just OK while the car is by no means fast and the transmission is slow to downshift. Cargo space is limited with its sloped back design and the ride can get a little bouncy. The high points are much more. The car drives very nicely and has a great feel to it. You feel well connected to the car and to the road. The car is smooth, quite and handles well but all that improved significantly more when I replaced my factory Nexen tires with Pirelli Cinturato P7s. The seats are really comfortable and help alleviate my back pain. The driving position is just right. I've taken the car and many road trips and it's been long-haul comfortable. The car has a lot of features and they all work well and the materials and build quality is excellent. My service advisor at FIAT of Scottsdale is great. I would strongly encourage anyone to buy one of these.

Fun little SUV

I thoroughly enjoyed driving Fiat 500X during a recent trip in spite of trying my friend's Mazda 3 (rental again) during the same period. I liked - free revving engine/confidence inspiring handling/steering etc. Not so liked - interior space (as expected), a little jerky transmission at times on some mode. Please find the video I shot during the trip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ8pY-3twms. My reliability rating is of course based on my rental period - the car almost had 20000 miles in it and was as good as new except for few scratches both inside and out (unlike a regular Fiat 500 I rented some time back which had a broken seat folding liver and couple of loose parts at around 45000 miles).

I Love My Baby!!

I saw an ad on this car early last year, and I immediately fell in love. First I was bummed because it wasn't going to be out for a few more months. Finally it came out.... Yay!! I took it out for a few test drives, waited for some people to buy it and put out reviews, which took forever and still there's hardly any out there. I was scared because not too many reviews and the ones that were out there were not that good. I've always owned Honda's, so I was hesitating, test driving other vehicles. I tried the Honda HRV, seemed very cheap to me. So I kept searching the inventory for my little fiat, I wanted a white lounge model with black leather seats and a sunroof, they had them within 50 miles of me, but by the time I got more serious about finally going and getting it of course they didn't have any within 200 miles of me that had the sunroof... So mine doesn't have the sunroof, but that's ok, I was kind of worried about the mesh that's up there any ways, because the sunlight comes in the car a little too much, the lady I spoke to at one the dealer's said you could tint the sunroof, but I also thought that the mesh will eventually deteriorate......Anyhow I got a fantastic deal on mine.... And I Love, Love, Love it!! I think I will name it Marshmallow, My 20 year old daughter's idea. I've had my baby since February and I haven't had any real issues with it. The one thing is when you lock the doors with the button outside, sometimes you have to press it a few times. The transmission is a little tetchy and not real quick off the line, that's ok I guess, Fewer tickets... I was worried it wouldn't get up hills very good, but it does just fine. The seats are super comfortable. And like another reviewer mentioned is the cool gas cap, there isn't one, yay! You just open the door and boom, you stick the nozzle in and you can't just stick any thing in there either, so you don't have to worry people will still your gas..... I was on the fence about this car (even though I really wanted it) I was worried because it's a Fiat and not a Honda, but now everyday I go outside and see my little baby, I'm so glad I got it.

I had to give a car a name!

For the first time ever, I had to give a car a name. Meet Donatella who sat in the showroom with the shiny white and chrome finish, the huge sunroof open to let the light show off the tobacco leather interior and then the moves of the effortless 2.5L and taught starring and ride sold me. However, that same day in a quad-fecta of Midtown Manhattan, I drove and bargained for the Q3, X1, Countryman, 500X and then before buying the next day, I threw in the ringer of the HR-V. Over some tense deliberations at Dunkin Donughts, the spouse and I agreed to throw out logic and get the Fiat. Yes, we've been back to the dealer for squeaky breaks and a blown fuse for the locks, but Fiat of Manhattan has been nothing but professional and accomodating with walk-in Saturday service. I've enjoyed nice lunches in Midtown and walks in Central Park and I knew very well that except for the HR-V, we'd see the dealer again. I've never had a car that got so many looks. We are often pointed out as being the "blue pill car", people look at it in passing and point, take pictures. I'm a star at the Whole Foods parking lot. I got followed to another gourmet food place in Redhook by a lady who came up to tell me she knew to follow the Fiat as that type of car would know where to go. The guy at my local car wash asked if the interior was custom! For particulars, I find the transmission unnoticeable for the most part. When I want to notice, I'm rather impressed with the execution but do thing it's a little over the top for such a vehicle. The engine is smooth, smooth, smooth and pleanty powerful. Donatella does like to drink in the city at 19mpg but does take it easy on the N.J. Turnpike at 30mpg with cruise mostly set at 75, um 79mph. Uconnct works very well and so much easier than the BMW/Mini system as it shows as much love for my Android as it does for my Apple phones. The dog seems happy with the back seat. The sunroof is a huge favorite and the fixed glass part over the back seat opens that space up tremendously compared to all but the X1. I feel for the previous reviewers on here. I knew going into a new build from two manufacturers not know for reliability that there would be issues, but that was the same for BMW/Mini and Audi. I read up on the USA 500xmweb forum and most known issues have bulletins on the faults. I randomly joined an Italian FB group and they go bonkers over the car but also have some similar issues. I don't need a daily driver and honestly, if the dealer keeps it overnight for some time, I'd just take the subway home and not have to worry about parking. I'd not recommend anything but a Honda/Mazda/Kia/Toyota as a daily driver but I've had those too over the years and frankly, I'm really enjoying the sense of occasion I'm getting with the Fiat. I just really enjoy Donatella's company, even when she's having an off day. Update: We just past 13000 miles and 1yr of ownership and that's more miles I've out on a car in a year that my last three. That may not sound like much but I fly for a living and live in NYC so I rarely put more than 9000 miles a year on a car. I still get the looks, friends new and old still complement the car and are even surprised it's a Fiat. More importantly, I simply like getting in it and driving it. I've had a few rental SUV's lately and although they had their strengths, getting back in the Fiat 500x at the end of a trip just shows me the sense of occasion few other products offer. That said, the 9-spd auto is still a work in progress but sometimes just works a treat and sometimes just reminds you a lot is going on. It is never rude but perhaps not always in the background. The locks blew a fuse and was fixed right away on a Saturday afternoon dealer service visit while I went for a coffee. We only had one big snow fall this past winter and at 31" in one night, I don't care what you have, dig your own car out. We left the Fiat covered for over a week. Other than that, we love the sunroof, the heated seats and steering wheel, the remote start and the UConnect with SIRI. The sporty exhaust along with the sometimes and surprisingly sporty down and up shifts remind you someone with a soul added a bit to the car. With my yearly mileage, fuel economy isn't a real deal for me with class leading to class last equaling about $200 a year when figured with $4.00/gallon fuel. Thus, and I just checked this, we averaged 20mpg even with 5800 miles at an average speed of 17mph. 80mph turnpike runs show 28mpg and more docile 70mph runs show 32mpg. Highway mpg is competitive but city mpg is really at the bottom and both are dissapointing considering the challenged 9-speed auto. I'm a happy owner and I think the character of the Fiat will keep me that way even if something nefarious comes up in the future. UPDATE: At just under 16000 miles and 1-1/2 years with the 500x, the enjoyment of the Fiat is complemented via no maintenance visits in the last year. Loving the Fiat!

Love it so far

Got a great offer on a lease with the 500X and I'm glad we took advantage of it. So far with a couple highway trips and a lot of downtown driving we are very hoppy with the car. The only complaint I can come up with is the way the trim levels are structured, but between the nice interior that is way more subtle and stylish than it's Jeep counterpart, the ease of driving, and the driving position in the vehicle we are very satisfied.

Love my 500X

I love my car. I drove several different cross-overs and loved this one. I asked for a longer factory warranty and got it--89 months/100,000 miles. I have had no problems with my car and drive it daily. Update: I still love my car. In over a year the only thing it has needed was an oil change. It got me through snow during the winter, pouring rain in the PNW, and to work every day. Almost 2 years later and i still love my 500x. Still no problems.

Love it or leave it.

After 2 years and 58 k miles the car still Holds very well Just got 4 Pirelli sotto zero winter tires and they are the best even in the summer My car does not have LED lights and that is a problem when it rains and you travel on remote highways Visibility is very poor Otherwise the lights are ok At night if is not raining I am waiting to see if they will bring out A 7 seater If not I will upgrade to an Alfa Romeo Stelvio

2016 500x bought feb. 2020

Disclaimer I've only had this car for 1 month. This review will get monthy updates on cost to own. As in gas and repairs, of any sort. It is a 2016 with 41,000 miles and no wrecks listed on car fax. Also coming from a 32 year old who's single. Bought for $12,000 dollars. So far I love this car. It's the trekking model. With a lot of the upgrades like, heated steering wheel and remote start, cornering lamps, rear blind spot monitoring. Plus my favorite the beats by Dre subwoofer sound system. Which is plenty good enough to last me a couple months to a year to install a set of 12' subwoofers ( if you listen to rap or hard rock music). Otherwise I don't recommend. Positives Plenty of space for what I need. Can fit $200 bucks of groceries in the back. But your not fitting your girlfriends big wooden dresser even with back seats folded down. My nieces and nephews can ride 5 deep in it. I'd say front seats 6'2 and smaller plenty of room. And back seats 6'0 and down. I get looks and questions all the time. I live in Western PA so no one has this car. I literally haven't seen one since I bought it. I've started conversations with women over this car. A current girl I'm dating. So ya positive. My comfort level inside is definitely 5 of 5. My first week of driving it. We had a snow storm. It dashed right through 4" of snow no problem. It is all wheel drive tho. With a traction, eco and sports modes. The exterior and interior. Look and feel great. For the price it's hard to find all the luxuries you can get on this car. Considering all the negative marks the so called experts gave. It's power and handling are quite a bit better the I thought it would be. At 185 hp it has peep. And no problems driving 90 on a highway. Or getting up to higher speeds I've had no issue. Flaws(so far) Of which I can only say two. The cvt 9 speed transmission. Is a bit jerky in low gears. I've never had a cvt before. But it's different to get used to. I'm guessing it's about fuel economy. It has slap shift and a sports mode. That make it a lot more fun to drive. In this category of car. It's on the lower end of mpg. On curvy back roads and city. I've gotten about 26 mpg. On the highway I've been looking at a better 30 mpg. Overall totally fine for me. But there is better if you fancy that at the top of your list. Overview If your a guy like me. Who fancies looks, sound systems, something unique, and affordable. Don't hesitate to buy this car!! There's a lot said about Fiat. But even Honda and Toyota made crappy cars in past decades. And until this car proves me wrong. I'm going to be plenty Happy with this transaction! Like I said updates incoming hopefully monthly

Undervalued, Underappreciated, but Great!!

The Fiat 500X is a joy to drive and will put a smile on your face every time. It has plenty of power, although you won't win many races with it. It is very sure-footed as it has excellent grip and road manners, especially in the frozen stuff with the AWD system. And it is a safe car! I wrecked mine and it literally saved my life. You will enjoy the uniqueness of being one of very few on the road, but don't be concerned. The mechanicals are the same as the Jeep Renegade, so dealer maintenance will always be close by. In 2018 I totaled my 500X in a rather violent accident. The car saved my bacon!! I'm alive today because of how safe it was. One year later I bought another 500X and couldn't be happier with it. Nearly three years into my second 500X now and I still love driving it. I'll have it until it quits, which won't be for a very long time?

X Marks the Spot!

Let me start by stating that this is my 4th FIAT purchase consecutively. I have owned 3 cabrio 500's including the Abarth! In my opinion, you don't purchase a FIAT because it's more dependable than a Honda or because it has a better resale value than a Toyota. FIAT ownership is about discernment for a stylish automobile. It's about passion. Driving with pride of ownership -- as opposed to those who buy a car to get them "from point 'A' to point 'B'". The FIAT 500x is a vehicle that you WANT to drive. I wait anxiously for the end of my work day so I can get to the reward... driving my Italian automobile.

Feel very happy about this purchase!

The 500x wasn't my first choice. After carefully reading all the reviews about all the cars, I was torn between the Subaru Crosstrek and the 500x. It wasn't until I went for a test drive that pushed me over the edge. Sitting inside the 500x felt solid, comfortable, designed, and well thought out. Sitting inside the Crosstrek felt cheap and unrefined. This is with regards to the interior design. The drivability of the Subaru Crosstrek admittedly felt better. The gear system on the Subaru was smoother and lighter. Suspension felt supple. The 500x I test drove was a bit stiff, steering felt tight, but didn't hear the exaggerated loud cabin everyone complained about. I also didn't sense the jerky transmission. Perhaps it had been reprogrammed already. I purchased the car in Sep. 2016 and those issues have been addressed. My previous cars have been a 1998 VW Jetta, 2003 Audi A4, 2006 Honda Element, and most recently the 2013 Fiat 500e. I chose the 500x due to the extra incentive for being a return Fiat customer. Plus, the rebate, plus the dealer discount for end-of-year sale. The savings added up and it became a no-brainer to go with the 500x. The reviews had been so bad, that I really felt I made a compromise for the money saved. But so far, things have been great and all the claims had been unfounded. I find the handling of the 500x to be amazing. After I drop the kids off at school I take a longer drive through the hills of Los Gatos because the car is so fun to drive. I have also driven up steep hills and pushed the limits around corners and have yet to feel out of control. The acceleration is average, not as responsive as the electric 500e or the Audi 1.8T. I suppose that's comparing apples to oranges. I sat in the back of both Crosstrek and 500x and the differences were unnoticeable. They were both pretty snug with just enough leg room for somebody 5'8". I do think that the 500x has a smaller trunk than the Crosstrek. Long story short, I don't feel I compromised just to get the better price. Side by side, if the prices were the same for the Crosstrek and the 500x, I'd still choose the 500x. It just has more personality and much nicer to look at. We'll have to see what the long term reliability holds up. But I'm comforted with a 48k/ 5 year bumper to bumper warranty.

Great Car For The Price!!!

I was looking for a car after a deer totaled my beloved Prius. Because we're moving to the country and it's West Virginia, an AWD was high on the list of must haves. Went to the dealership intending to look at Imprezas. When we got to the lot, we saw the 2 Imprezas on my list, and then noticed this little darling tucked in the corner with AWD on the windshield. At first we both chuckled, then walked up for a closer look. It was pretty much love at first sight! The car is charming, both exterior and interior. Got the keys, got in, and said, "Wow, these seats are comfortable!" Took it for a spin both in town and on the highway, and was pleasantly surprised at how nimble it is to drive, comfort was great, and speed -- let's just say this car has pickup!! It was so smooth on the highway, my husband said, "honey, you're going to have to watch your speed in this." Went back to the dealership to check out the Imprezas (since that's what we went for), sat in one and immediately got out. Didn't even take it out of the parking spot. Walked back in, asked for the Fiat 500x Easy keys back, and drove it home that day. The drive home was 2 hours, and I loved every minute of it. My husband drove it all the next while we ran errands and said if he was in the market for a car, he'd look for one for himself. No, it doesn't get the same gas milage as the Prius, but Prius doesn't make an AWD, and that was more important to me this time. Bought it used, 2016, 10,000 miles on it, not one scratch or stain -- perfect contdition. I love love love this car!!!! Give it a try, you won't regret it!!!!

The Fiat that could

got this fiat 500x on Feb 24 2016 it seams to be a good little SUV . so far NO problems. have about 2500 miles on it now. it rides good , easy to get in and out since it doesn't sit low . I liked the style of it have been asked several times about it when getting gas and things. I was used to a subura crosstrak but after a wreck couldnt afford another subura . this is almost the same . I traded the car in Aug2016 got other crosstrak as I do miss the fiat . I didn't have problems with the car , the value wasn't there . yes I would say get one but yet again its up the person. I like suburas . Sorry Fiat . dealership is closer and where I go theres subura dealerships in MT .

Don’t do it!

This was the newest vehicle I’d ever purchased(purchased 2017). When I test drove it, I was concerned about the obvious lag when shifting from 1st to 2nd(it’s an automatic but can manually shift if driver chooses). The dealer convinced me it was because I was used to a 6 cylinder(Chevy impala) and the Fiat was a 4. So I rush purchased...only to be disappointed! Turns out the lag is because it’s a 9 speed. I still can’t stand the lag when shifting gears. But there was MORE to come. Within a few months the plastic, poorly manufactured drivers door handle snapped OFF, causing me to have to enter through the passenger side AND half of the gas tank entry(idk what it’s called) snapped off as well. Luckily those were covered by my 1 year warranty. Following that, I’ve had nothing but problems that I’m assuming are electrical or a problem w transmission. I’d have to downshift going uphill in order for the rpms to catch(I’m not a car expert so I hope that makes sense). That happened SEVERAL times after being fixed several times. I’d also get alerts “drive mode unavailable” continuously which terrified me while going 80 on the highway! But the car continued to drive. It IS a tiny vehicle, although aesthetically pleasing(I don’t think so but I’ve had a lot of compliments). And I do HAVE to say after all my complaints, it’s a beast in the snow with its AWD. Never got stuck even when there was a foot of snow. Not so much as a slide. Personally I’d consider an American model of vehicle, which I’m in the process of hunting now. The dealer convinced me that the Fiat is American since Chrysler makes it but I had to drive 1.5 hours away to get serviced? It’s possible I just got a lemon and these vehicles are great but buyer beware!

Trouble from the beginning

First of all it's had like 3 recalls since I bought the car. It started in November I had a situation where I was making a left turn in traffic and the car said low oil pressure and cut off, it was a stoplight downtown Wilmington I had my nieces with me and car took a few minutes to crank. We then had received a recall notification on the car so we figured it was related to that we took fiat to dealership to be serviced. Had the car and it since has been doing it again and putting me in danger as well as my 2 year old baby. The tires blew out after 4 months of having the fiat, there is no spare with the car so it had to be towed. Next we had oil changed and was told we have a leak, he said oil levels shouldn't be so low after a recent oil change. The parking light has also went out, Took car back to dealership to look at oil they kept car and said levels were low but couldn't determine why, drive car for 1000 miles and bring back for another test, meanwhile this morning as I'm heading out in the rain holding my baby the car door wouldn't open with the keyless remote and the car wouldn't unlock, I then pulled out the key to use and unlocked the car the alarm goes of and the car wouldn't crank and the back doors wouldn't open. I then had To run back in house with my baby and grab my spare keys and they started the car. As well as gas I was told this car would be great for my long commute and it isn't it's getting like 24 mpg. I've had nothing but trouble with this car and I'm highly disappointed I was so excited to buy the 500x and now I'm regretful. I hope fiat resolves this problem with integrity.

Great first car

I got a Fiat 500X Lounge fully equipped just a couple of weeks ago. You can consider that this review comes from someone owning a car for the first time; I used to drive occasionally and rely on public transportation. This year I decided to have a car for a life style change, and researched many options similar to my Fiat 500X: Mazda X3, Nissan Juke, Audi Q3 (this one was way above the price I planned to pay for a car). Turns out that the Fiat 500X was an excellent choice! The car is a bit small, although I was not looking for big SUVs anyway, but access in the front seat is a little tight. Fuel economy was a bit of disappointment, I only got 13.5 MPG so far but I guess I mostly drive in the city, and that is why. The car is very artsy and extremely beautiful, the final touching in styling is impeccable and really beautiful, and the car stands out in the crowd. It is a very fast, comfortable car, I used to share driving a Prius and several Mazdas, and have to say that, for a car that is not as spacious, the Fiat 500X is very comfortable and roomy. The panoramic sunroof is very pretty from outside, and functional, easy to use from inside. Commands and controls on dashboard as very simple, and the car has a tech/vintage quality that goes very well all together. It is very, very pretty! I am not commenting on repair record yet (hopefully I will take some time before this), and the only disappointment is the fuel consumption in the city. Otherwise, it is just a very stylish, functional, fun, fast car. One hundred percent charming!

A non recommended vehicle

Been asked update my review , i’m still not impressed with the car it has stalled out a couple times after warming up and very sluggish. Gas mileage is OK but not as good as my Chevrolet HHR I still don’t recommend this car to anyone....... I look over at my girlfriend out of the corner of my eye and I can see her bouncing around because the car is so uncomfortable and I find myself apologizing for the ride of the car.

Biggest regret

I purchased my first car on October 26th, 2015 this car was a fiat 500x. I left the dealership from which I purchased said car at around 8:30pm the following day at noon said car stalled and began smoking, then the Electric E-Brake turned on so I could not physically move it from the street shortly followed by the steering wheel completely locked up (the car had 81 miles on it), it took two hours for the tow truck to arrive to remove the car. It took two days for the dealer it was sent to to get back to me (which put me well past my return within 48 hours policy) at which time they said that the car had parts of the engine lying at the base of the compartment, this was not true the formal report stated that a rod shot through the engine, I was informed that there was a physical hole in the engine when more parts were needed as an excuse as to why I was without my car. They informed me they needed to order a NEW ENGINE to put in my new car, which took 2 weeks to arrive because they decided to let it come in on the next shipment of parts, after the engines arrival it took a week to have the engine put in (I was told when they said the engine needed to be replaced that it would take a MAXIMUM of 3 days to put in once it arrived) After the engine was in they tested the car to see if all was in working order it was not, a new fuse and starter would have to be ordered to make the car run, receiving and putting in said new pieces took a week and a half (at this point I was at a new car that I had in my possession for less that 24 hours had hit the 30th day in the shop mark) once the new pieces were all in they tested to see if all was in working order once again it was however while giving it a thorough test-drive they noticed stalling on turns. Turned out that a new air intake valve was needed this added a little less than a full week to my already 4 weeks and 3 days in the shop for a problem that a new car should not be having. FINALLY I got the call on December 4th 2015 that my car was ready to be picked up, when I went to get my car the employees of the dealership this car was sent to stressed how thankful they were with my being so understanding of the whole situation. Throughout the entirety of this lengthy process the woman I was dealing with at the dealership rarely called me to let me know any update I was more often then not calling repeatedly to hear anything, I probably called the dealership 30 times and they called me of their own accord without my harassing at most 5. Disgusted with the company. I at one point was so tired that I called the state representative on Saturday November 21st, who said he would give me a call the following Monday regarding getting me a refund. I have yet to hear anything from him or anyone under him to this day. The only kind thing was the dealership from which I bought this car called a couple times to make sure the car was running fine after its return to me. Would never recommend to anyone!

Stay Far Far Away from FCA

Update: I just traded this car in after only having it about 3.5 years. Bought it used in 2019 with about 35k on it. It had style and all the features you could want/need. However, the cargo space was lacking and it was not very comfortable on long drives. But my biggest issue was it's reliability. At just around 65k, I was about 2.5 hrs away from home when all the warning lights came on. Drove it to the nearest dealer who told me it was showing transmission/torque converter issues. Advised me to limp it home - which I did. Got it to my local mechanic who did a transmission flush and the car was alright for about another 2k miles. Was on another long journey (10+ hrs away this time) when the same thing happened - all the lights. Limped it about 2 hrs to my destination where it was in with a FIAT dealer off and on for 2+ months. Not only did I have to leave my car thousands of miles away and travel home on my own dime, but the dealership called me to come pick it up a month later only to find they didn't fix the issue (it came right back AND sounded even more awful this time). They had first replaced the torque converter but then ended up having to replace the entire transmission. Dealing with FCA throughout the whole ordeal was infuriating. They couldn't have cared less. They gave me nothing. After researching this on the web, it seems to be a common issue with their 9 speed transmissions. How no recall has been made is astounding. Do your research before FCA leaves you high and dry like they did to me! Good riddance. Original: I bought my 2016 Fiat 500x Lounge used w/ approx. 35k on it in 2019. Clean report from previous owner. Over the past two years have had intermittent random warning lights come on/off - most notably the forward collision warning system turning itself off randomly. Lots of blown running & parking lights. Always mentioned these at my service appointments but never any luck figuring out where the issue stemmed from. I always suspected something electrical. Have had all recalls addressed (cooling fan replaced, wiring harness repaired, oil consumption test 'passed'). Car is regularly serviced. Car was at approx. 65k miles this October. I was driving for about 2 hrs on a warm, humid GA day at highway speeds (80 mph). Drove through some torrential downpours too. After I was out of the rain, I went to pass a vehicle and as soon as I hit the accelerator, I got the "Service trans", "check engine" lights. Car was driving fine otherwise. Perhaps a slight chemical burning smell I noticed but otherwise fine. Took it to a dealer nearby who scanned it and gave me a stored TCM error code for the torque converter/clutch (can't remember exact code at the moment). Drove the car 2 hrs home. Lights cleared overnight but still took it in to my local mechanic. They couldn't replicate error/code so sent me on my way. Lights came back a few days later while driving normal speeds. They recommended just doing a fluid change which I agreed to. Drove fine for about a week. Then as I was driving north to visit family (about 700 miles away), the lights returned. Took it to Fiat this time who diagnosed it as a torque converter issue and recommended replacing that and the valve body. Took a full month for them to do the work. Most notably when I got the paperwork back there was indication of metal in the transmission which they had not mentioned to me in my phone calls with them. I asked them why with a sealed, filterless transmission they felt only replacing these parts was a good fix. Surely if there was metal in the trans, it had been circulating through the entire system and caused more extensive damage to all the components. It was quite the frustrating ordeal having that convo with them. They didn't see it as an issue. Also was fishy considering my local mechanic made no mention of particles/pieces when they did the fluid change. Drove the car off the lot and immediately heard grinding and had gear changing issues (between 1-2 and again between 6-7). Took it back to them and they said the TCM got wiped somehow and needed to be reprogrammed. Did that and car worked fine for about a day. However, the lights did return. Got pretty angry with them this time and got FCA Cares involved. Returned car to same dealer who stated the clutch had burned out (surprise surprise?) and recommended an entire trans replacement. I just got the car back yesterday. Has been over 2 months back and forth in their shop and FCA Cares couldn't care less. All they did was provide some assistance with checking in on the work the dealer was doing and reporting back to me. They were otherwise useless and callous to the situation their vehicle put me in. Thank God I had a service contract on the vehicle otherwise I would have been looking at close to 10k in total repairs. Nevermind all the lost time and money on traveling back and forth because I thought it was fixed, renting/borrowing other vehicles, etc. I fully intend on trading this awful vehicle in as soon as I can and letting Fiat have it wherever I can. Again, I have always suspected the issue is electrical. I doubt the trans is the actual issue. Perhaps a result of something larger - but not the primary issue itself. Fiat doesn't seem to care to figure it out. Wondering how long it will be before I'm facing the same issue/lights again. Hope to have it gone before that time. STAY AWAY FROM FCA!

More than the sum of its parts

The market for compact/subcompact crossovers is not crowded, but there are plenty of options. I researched Hondas, Mazdas, Nissans, Kias and Buicks (online, in-person, test driving) before deciding on a Fiat 500X. It was a difficult decision because I was looking for a previously owned vehicle, but 2016 is the first model year of the the 500X. After four months, I got lucky and found a discounted demo that was fully loaded and haven't looked back. The transmission is... quirky. It took me a couple of weeks to find the balance between hesitancy and jackrabbit starts. I had to actively be the one to decide because the car couldn't really do it (and still can't). Braking at low speeds is touchy - again, until one acclimates oneself to the system. Nonetheless, I am still thrilled by the nimbleness of the X. When I need to pass at highway speeds, I have to do little more than think it and it's done. The entertainment/communications/navigation/electronic control panel is everything it should be. The ride is firm, but real issues in the road (e.g., railroad tracks, speed bumps) are handled with alacrity. After a month, I still wake up thrilled to get behind the wheel. So much style, so much fun. Update: Our relationship is now celebrating its half-year anniversary, and we are still honeymooning. We have just experienced our first significant frozen precipitation event, and my baby sat it out in the driveway. I do not drive on ice. That is not why I bought the car. The X handles the narrow, twisting, hilly roads of my neighborhood with aplomb even in normal driving mode when there is no ice, and that is all that I ask. One-year Update: Now that I have owned the car for a year, I have to say that I did not appreciate the significant decline in value of the car. In one year, the value has declined by one-third. Otherwise, I'm still satisfied.

Great balance of luxury, safety and style

Small crossovers are hot these days—they are easy to park, affordable, and packed with safety features including all-wheel-drive. To that combo, my Fiat 500x adds style and luxury touches. It's less popular than its Jeep Renegade twin, probably because Fiats are sold with other FCA brands. 2016 Trekking Plus models have slightly more aggressive styling with a satin chrome finish, and are fully loaded with excellent heated front seats (power on the driver's side), heated steering wheel, automatic A/C, fog + cornering lamps, UConnect infotainment with navigation and passive entry/pushbutton start. I am very pleased with the automatic headlights, speed sensitive wipers, dual-pane sunroof and safety equipment that came with the Tracking Plus Collection 2 package of options. The drivetrain is smooth and responsive. Parking is easy, thanks to the compact size and backup camera. The adjustable cargo floor is handy, though I prefer it in the upper position with some hidden storage underneath. Dislikes? It's a bit of a step to get in. Back seat legroom can be tight if front seats are pushed back for tall drivers. Gas mileage is merely average, but refueling is easy—no gas cap to remove. I rarely use remote start. Plastic door trim on all Fiats are easily scuffed. And the various safety alerts can be pretty loud. Annoyances aside, if you're not paying the depreciation, the 500x is a great choice for its standard features, practical size and attractive styling. Note that the 2019 tweaks removed out some options, so Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are in, and the heated steering wheel is out.

The more-than-adequate compact crossover from Fiat

This is a compact version of your average small American crossover, with enough horsepower, traction and capability to do almost everything you need it to do, and not a bit extra. It won't tow your heavy equipment or move much of your furniture, but in Pop form, with the turbocharged multi-air four and six speed manual, it will get down the road nicely. Put some good snow tires on its steel wheels and you will get where you are going through considerable snowfall. The seats are comfortable, but rear seat passengers will be crowded. Handling is really quite good, though my Fiat 500 Pop would run circles around it, and the 500X could easily be called "quick," but not fast. Note that the six speed manual makes all the difference in this model Fiat, though the option sacrifices you will have to make to row your own gears are substantial. It seems that Fiat jumped on the manual-because-we-must bandwagon and the 1.4L 6MT is basic in most areas. They saved the really good stuff for the Easy and Trekking versions. No matter, the Pop 1.4L 6MT is a hoot to drive, has good road manners, decent acceleration with the turbocharger and a healthy lack of infotainment bells and whistles. I do wish accessories were more reasonably priced and the 1.4L multi-air engine didn't eat premium gas, but there is much to like and no complaints so far. Still no complaints after 4750 miles. Dealership fixed a cruise control issue under warranty, and while it did take a while, they gave me a loaner (500L). Did my own oil change recently and it's much easier than my Fiat 500 Pop. Still like the car after six months! UPDATE: After nine months of ownership the Fiat 500X was involved in a car/deer collision, sustained substantial damage to the front, and was a total loss. The airbags worked as designed, though the knee airbag left a palm sized bruise on my right leg and the passenger airbag (seat was unoccupied) broke the windshield. Lost substantial money to depreciation, though my insurance company was completely transparent and efficient throughout. I replaced the Fiat 500X with a 2014 Ford C-Max Energi that I like very much. UPDATE: After four years of ownership I traded my Fiat 500 in on the Ford C-Max above and now have zero Fiats in my garage. I am living happily ever after. Would I buy another Fiat? No. FCA will always be the quirky Italian cousin everyone talks about, but nobody takes seriously. That is a shame. UPDATE: I am still Fiat free and a used Fiat 500 Pop 6M is a rare vehicle indeed. Still doesn't command much of a price on the used market, but is very difficult to find. No plans to add a Fiat to my garage, but coveting a new Ford Ranger or Bronco. UPDATE: The algorithm does not understand why I have not updated my review of a car(s) I have not owned in years, so this is an "update" of sorts. Fiat 500X in the manual configuration has become a unicorn in the used car market and just about impossible to find. Fiat's days in the USA are numbered, I'm afraid, but there is nothing to be done about that in an insane locked down world, where the inmates are running the asylum. Fasten your seat belt, it's going to get rough out there.. UPDATE: Fall 2020. The algorithm still does not know that I no longer own any Fiats and even the Ford CMax has been sold to a Ford dealer (for trade-in value). The state decided PHEVs were not paying enough gas tax and bumped the tag fee much higher, so I got inspired and no longer own the CMax PHEV. I am pleased with my Ford Focus, 6M ecoboost three cylinder sedan, though the 2020 Ford Edge Titanium 2.0L may replace it next summer, because its 8-speed automatic and larger size are attractive..

Horrible experience

At 24113 miles and less than 2 years old, vehicle began stalling after display or numerous different warning lights. Over the course of 7 months, I was left stranded 11 times after stalling on expressway and in town. Each time dealership replaced a part (5 new parts in total) and returned it to me "fixed". Warranty is for 5 years and I had extended warranty. Didn't want to trade. Wanted FIAT to fix it. They refused to buy back (it had over 24000 miles and not eligible?!), give be comparable vehicle, or acknowledge it was a lemon and they couldn't figure out the problem. Had to trade and take a financial loss as I couldn't continue to put my family in harm's way. FCA staff were not helpful. Entire experience with FIAT was horrible. Local dealership did as Chrysler/Fiat directed them and they actually stepped up to offer more on a trade they usual and took vehicle "as-is" which was still not repaired. I will never purchase another FIAT or recommend to others. Poor customer service and unwilling to accept responsibility for faulty vehicle.

the Fiat 500X is better car than my last 8 cars.

Don't waste your time or money

We were excited to be the first 500X owners in our town. We showed this car off to all our friends and family. A month after purchase, the car started shifting very firm and overheated. After going to the dealer, I was told that there was water in the oil ( telling me that a head was cracked or a seal was bad) we got the car back the next day and was told everything was fine. No notes on the paperwork about water being in the oil. Assuming everything was fine, we took the car back. A week later the car would stall during hard braking or hard acceleration. Today while picking my daughter up from a friends house, the car stalled and would not start for over 2 hours. No help from dealership on this matter as of yet. It could be our car, but after reading other reviews I don't think we're alone in this matter.

Unfortunate issues

I owned the Fiat 500 L, which was totalled, and I walked away from the crash, so for that, I was thankful. I had many issues with my car, but for the price and accessories, I considered the 500 X. I had it as my rental car. It already had issues with only 4000 miles on it. The engine was hiccup ping already and some back up camera issues were already there. I had to have my backup camera replaced at 15000 miles and had already changed my brakes at 20000. Hope this helps.

The 500X never stops disappointing

Its been about 6 months with my 500X and there's not a day that goes by that I regret the decision to buy it. I had a few problems once I first bought the car and was received poorly at my Fiat agency and Fiat USA. Ther was never any acknowledgement of the problems (shiftiness, tire screeching, electronic malfunction), instead they just assured me everything was ok. Well it's month six and those problems, sans the electronic, are still there. Add a horrible, annoying and constant rattling from both doors and that's what I put up with daily. I regret not buying a Mazda or Honda.

Love this car more than any I've ever owned

I am 58 years old with a chronic pain condition. I was getting pain in my hip and back because my old car was not ergonomic and I had started a new job that gave me a longer commute. I'm a very practical person so I've stuck with Hondas and Toyotas most of my life. I decided to look for a new car, and my top concern was a comfortable, power adjustable seat. I test drove Honda, Toyota, VW, and Chevy. Just for yucks I thought I'd stop by the Fiat dealer, which I passed every day on my way home. The 500 was adorable but uncomfortable for me. The salesman suggested I look at the 500x and when I test drove it, it was the most comfortable seat I ever tried. I had such a bias in my mind against Fiat that I didn't bother to discuss numbers, and went my merry way to try more Hondas, Toyotas, etc. I couldn't get it out of my mind how comfortable the Fiat was, and I loved the look so I went back for a 2nd test drive. Sure enough, still the most comfy seat I had tried. Turned out to be right in my price range. I've had it 2 months and still love it. Back pain is much better. Everybody comments on my car and says they love it. A couple of drawbacks, though. When weather and engine are cold, acceleration is very sluggish. Solution is to use remote start while walking to car, and let it run a couple of minutes before driving, but that does cut into mpg. Also, auto transmission upshifts at 2000 RPM instead of 2500, and hovers around 1500. Sometimes it feels like engine is lugging, though it has never stalled. I can live with those issues, all things considered. I think Fiat markets to young people but they should think about marketing to seniors, as this car is extremely easy to get in and out of, is not too low or high. So many of the Hondas, Toyotas, etc. are downright UGLY this year with huge black grills and weird angles that make them look like a monster. It's nice to have a car that's stylish and meets my practical needs at the same time. I thought I hated driving because of my back pain. Now I love to drive. Freeway mpg as high as 36 with no traffic.

Great value

Any car ,or make will have issues. My Fiat 500x 2016 manual transmission is great. Anything with moving parts will have issues ,no matter what car company you choose. There are many factors involved to rate a car. How the car is being used and driven. The maintenance, and how many people drive it. My Fiat has 35000 kilometers on it and it's bin a great vehicle with minimal issues. Fun to drive good on fuel, and comfortable. My trim is 500X 1.4 lt trekking manual. Not listed in trim option Thank you Fiat!

faulty electronics

Extremely upset with this car! Faulty electronics. As I am driving, in the rain, the electronics will go haywire, air bags disable, power steering disabled, can barely get it to stop. It will either shut off or will not let me shut off. I have had it in the shop so many times and it still not fixed. I was on a very busy road when this last time happened. Do I have to die before something is done??

Manual Makes it Better!!!

Ok...so I had an Abarth...Manual...w 5 speed. But we're having a child soon so I had to trade in w 500x Manual. It comes with 6 speed. Boy ...it shifts better. Smooth. Often I missed my Abarth Exhaust notes. But I'm starting to like this 500x because even though it's the same engine, 6 speed is a lot better for both cars. Clutch is really easy to shift...it is never a chores. I was never a Fiat fun till now. Big Trunk, lots of room interior and driver seat is also comfy. I wish they put CD player. Man i miss it too. Saves gas also even though it runs premium but hey if put 70mph on cruise, you'll get like 32mpg at least. So yes..if you want manual, roomy, big trunk this is the one for you.

6 months and still love it

Leased the due to reliability concerns bit so far, no problems. Love the styling. The optional two tone dash and seats are awesome - retro feel and fun. Only con is gas mileage. City driver here and averaging 20mpg. Would 3xpect much better from a new car but pros offset this

so far so good. love my 500x

first of all .. i bought my 500x july 2015 and this car hasn't give me any problems ANY problems. I had owned mini coopers and they have always given me a headache.

500x lover

we have owned this 500x for almost two years. great mpg 25-28mpg city/combination, 32+ on the hwy. 36mog highest. very comfortable seating. great height adjustable driver and passenger seats. no real issues. oil changes/tire rotation only maintenance. only real problem is that the original nexen tires will be lucky to last 30,000 miles

This would be a good car, if it had a good engine!

The 500X is a nice little SUV, with many fine attributes. Unfortunately, it is hobbled by a sluggish engine and transmission. The engine and transmission look impressive on paper, with 180 HP and 9 speeds. But, they fail to deliver. My rental, with only 8000 miles on it, had a bad tendency to hesitate at the worst possible times. Even when the hesitating was not pronounced, there was a noticeable delay between pressing the gas pedal and the car moving. The engine has no torque below 2500 RPM. I experimented with manual shifting and then flooring the accelerator. Below 2500, the engine was weak. Passing situations, where you may be at 45 MPH and want to move in the passing lane with traffic rapidly approaching from the rear, were unnerving. It seems like an eternity before the transmission downshifts, and the engine builds enough torque to accelerate the car. The Sport mode works by holding the RPM's about 1000 higher, but it did not improve the performance much. Generally, the acceleration was either "too little", or "too much", and rarely "just right". I tried moderately accelerating, but the transmission quickly goes into a higher gear, making the accelerating sluggish. Trying to accelerate only slightly faster resulted in abrupt downshifts, and the engine racing towards its red line. This gives other drivers the impression that you are trying to race them, when you are only trying to get reasonable acceleration out of it. An auto magazine found that the smaller engine and manual transmission was actually faster than the larger engine and automatic. This does not surprise me. Other reviews have mentioned the balky transmission, so I don't believe that my car was an isolated case. I am not sure about the hesitation. that is unusual in a modern car. Driving in mountainous areas was a chore, and manual shifting worked best. But there is little engine braking below 4000 RPM, so going down 8 percent grades was a noisy affair. I will leave the other details about the car to other reviewers. First, see if you are going to be happy with the engine and transmission, and then look at the rest of the car's features.

Mostly good, but some serious issues.

There are many things I love about this car, but I want to focus on the reasons why I am slightly regretting my purchase. The first is the terrible road noise at freeway speed, it's not bad if you have the radio on. But if you are talking to a passenger it can be a bit annoying, and taking a call on the Bluetooth system, don't even bother while going down the freeway because the person on the other line will just tell you that there is too much background noise to hear well. As for safety, I was really happy at the ratings it received. Unfortunately because of the pillar side airbags being so chunky, it leaves way too much blind area not just while making turns but can leave a pedestrian invisible at the pillar as you approach. To correct this I have to constantly move my head left and right to see around the pillar. I've never experienced so many close calls in any other car. And if you do have to break hard, get ready to veer left or right (that's part of the surprise, you don't get to know which direction it will take you). Even if you hold the steering wheel perfectly straight while moderately or heavily breaking you will veer sharply and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. Then we have the transmittion, it does not matter if it is in auto or semi-auto, it lags something terrible. Sometimes when you slow down and then begin to accelerate, it can take up to three seconds to react and downshift for any power at all. 4th and 5th gear changes are always clunky and late, leaving you to lurch about. If you are in auto and briefly (as in less than a seconds worth) press hard on the gas, it will down shift into second regardless of speed and take nearly half a minute to get back to the proper gear. This leaves you looking like a proper knob who is trying to race other drivers while you are at maximum revs. The final issue I have is that a warning light came on for the fab to be serviced (owning the car for only seven months). The dealership said that it needs an update and they would contact me in another month if it is available by then. In the meantime I get a pinging warning when I open the car door, start the car (which leaves a warning in place of the speed for 30 seconds annoyingly), when I turn off the car and again when I open my door to get out. And I have to deal with this obnoxious feature for at lease a month while they work on an update. I can't fanthom why in the world this is an issue in the first place.

Avoid this car!

I can't tell you how disappointed I am with this car. I was so excited to get it. It looks cool and has a lot of nice features, but quality-wise, it is very poor. Road noise is excessive, I am on my 3rd sunroof so far in the first year due to it being loose and rocking and rattling in the roof. I am on my 2nd air conditioner unit due to it smelling like mold. I think water somehow gets into the system and molds in there, so when it is turned on, it smells like mold/mildew. It is a fun car to drive, but the seats are pretty hard, so it is terrible for long road trips. My old van was so much more comfortable. I tried to get the lemon law on this car but Chrysler basically denied any problems. I have had this car in the dealer at least 2 1/2 months of the time I've had it. Too bad I bought it rather than leased it. Now I am stuck with this lemon. I would stay far far away from this car and Chrysler in general-they are the worst!

FOOL ME 1X SHAME ON YOU FOOL ME 2XA SHAME ON ME

Where should I begin? I purchased a FIAT 500L in 2012. The car was a disaster. I took it to the dealership many times. The last thing that did was to stop in the middle of the highway. When I brought it for service. Guess what had happened? the clutch BURNED. BURNED!!!! YES. Brand new car and the clutch burned. I freaked out in the middle of the highway. I had to get out and the next day I took it immediately to Rick Case FIAT. They had to give me a rental because the car was unsafe to drive. Well.. maybe I should've thought about it more carefully, but I loved the look of the FIAT so much that I decided to get a new FIAT instead. Because the other one ... well you know what happened. The clutch BURNED. So I decided to lease a 500X thinking it was a "much better" version of the old one and thinking this one was not going to have any problems at all. Well....WRONG! I leased this car on September of 2015. I had taken this car about 5-6 times already. The last 3 times for the same exact reason. The car is simply unsafe to drive. I do not feel safe in that car. I am scared of driving it and for something bad to happen to me. I will NEVER purchase a FIAT EVER again. I am so disappointed, upset, and simply can't believe how awful my experience has been with FIAT.