2021 FIAT 500X Review

Name: 2021 FIAT 500X
Brand: FIAT

Price Range: $12,999 - $21,590

2021 FIAT 500X Pop 4dr SUV Exterior. Sport Appearance Package Shown.

Average

7.3

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 Fiat 500X is a decent all-around performer thanks to a spunky turbocharged engine and standard all-wheel drive. While the idea of going Italian sounds fun and a little romantic, it'll also cost more than a few lira, which is where the 500X loses some of its appeal.

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Average price: $17,503

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Appraise My 2021 FIAT 500X

Pros

Distinctive and well-made cabin
Standard all-wheel drive
More character and style than many competing small crossovers

Cons

Limited cargo and passenger space
Small touchscreen can be tough to use
Starting price is high
Several available driving aids, but few work well

What's new

Sport Value package adds a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights and other premium features
Pop and Trekking models receive upgraded interior trim
Part of the first Fiat 500X generation introduced for 2016

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio

4/14/2021

The Fiat 500X holds the dubious distinction of being the lone remaining car in Fiat's lineup for the 2021 model year. Not a bad business decision, really, as subcompact SUVs occupy a popular niche with buyers, and the 500X has more styling flair than most. Standard all-wheel drive and a quiet, smooth ride also bolster its appeal.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

11 listings

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New Listing
2021 FIAT 500X
Pop 4dr SUV
$12,999
- 79,565 miles
- 5 Seats, 24 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- 8 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Chantilly, VA
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (24 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
ZFBNF3A13MP943013
Stock:
943013
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
2021 FIAT 500X
Pop 4dr SUV
$14,950
- 41,108 miles
- 5 Seats, 24 City / 30 Hwy MPG
- 160 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Weston, WV
Your satisfaction is our business! This vehicle won't be on the lot long! Performance, ride, and head-turning good looks! Turbocharger technology prov...
Features and Specs:
26 Combined MPG (24 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN:
ZFBNF3A14MP942498
Stock:
F21498
Certified Pre-Owned:
No
Listed since:
04-03-2026

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Still, the 500X feels slightly underwhelming when compared to its closest competitors. It lacks cargo room and engine power, and some common standard features, such as dual-zone climate control, are optional. Other subcompact SUVs, such as the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Venue, offer more standard features on equivalent trim levels. Is the 500X's quirky style enough to make it a worthy consideration when shopping for a subcompact SUV? Read our Expert Rating below before making your decision.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Average

7.3

out of 10

We drove the 2021 FIAT 500X on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the 500X drive? The new turbocharged four-cylinder engine works pretty well despite its small size. In Edmunds' testing, our all-wheel-drive 500X test car covered 0-60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is reasonably quick for a subcompact SUV. In typical daily driving, the automatic transmission shifts quickly and makes the most of the engine's low-rpm power.

While Fiat touts the 500X as sporty, we found the 500X's handling to be only average for the class. It leans quite a bit when going around turns, and tire grip is mediocre. If you want a fun-to-drive SUV, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Comfort

7/10

How comfortable is the 500X? The 500X's greatest strength is its ride comfort. It's quite smooth for a small SUV. The front seats also have a nice combination of support and comfort. We found the rear seatbacks to be a little upright and the cushions a bit on the firm side.

The climate control system is easy to use, but it can struggle to keep you cool on hotter days. And although the 500X's cabin is decently isolated against outside noise, the car's various technology features make so many interior beeps, bongs, clicks and warning alarms that they destroy any serenity in the cabin.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? We like how easy it is to get in and out of the 500X's cabin. The generous door openings allow you to slip in and out with minimal effort. The tall windows and smartly placed sideview mirrors make for great outward visibility too. The cabin is roomy up front, but the rear seat, like others in the class, will be tight for people over 6 feet tall.

The 500X's main controls are easy to figure out. The configurable infotainment system is a bit slow to respond but fairly straightforward to use. Our only frustration was having to deep-dive into the touchscreen menus every time we wanted to shut off some of the annoyingly oversensitive driver aids.

Technology

7/10

How’s the tech? The 500X's 7-inch infotainment touchscreen feels tiny and cheap even by subcompact vehicle standards. All the functionality is there, but its size may be challenging for those without razor-sharp eyesight. Our test car's upgraded audio system lacked bass and general low-end punch, which makes some music sound pretty thin.

The good news: The 500X provides three USB ports (more than competitors) to split among your charge-hungry passengers. There's also standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. There's a wealth of advanced driving aids, some of which are overly sensitive. And the warning sounds for some incidents are often more startling than beneficial.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? By the numbers, the 500X's trunk is average (14.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats) but it's enough for grocery bags and the like. You can fit bigger items by folding down the rear seats. Storage for personal items within the cabin is much better by comparison. The door pockets can accommodate slightly larger than average water bottles, and a dual-tier glovebox makes good use of the front-dash real estate.

On the child safety seat front, installing a rear-facing seat will be a tight squeeze behind the front seats. There's just not a whole lot of room. The car seat anchors are easy to locate at least.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The 500X's EPA-estimated fuel economy is 26 mpg combined, which slightly falls behind much of its competition. That said, our test 500X returned a promising 29.2 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route, which could indicate that the EPA's estimate is realistic for real-world driving.

Value

7/10

Is the 500X a good value? The interior of the 500X earns style points. Soft-touch materials abound throughout the cabin, and the matching body-colored panels look cool even if they're just thin plastic. But the biggest letdowns are this mini-ute's high price and charmless accessory sounds. Changing those would go a long way to elevate the feel of this car. Fiat's comprehensive and powertrain warranties run four years/50,000 miles, which are better on the bumper-to-bumper side than some but not as good as others on the powertrain side.

Wildcard

8/10

The 500X has personality if nothing else. There are some nice Italian touches inside and out, and they help the little Fiat stand out in a sea of other tiny SUVs. And while it may not actually be as fun to drive as Mini purports, it at least makes you look like you're someone who likes to have fun. That's kind of the point here.

2021 FIAT 500X trim level differences

The 2021 Fiat 500X is an extra-small crossover SUV available in four trim levels: Pop, Trekking, Sport and Trekking Plus. A turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine (177 horsepower, 210 lb-ft of torque) and nine-speed automatic transmission come standard throughout the lineup. All-wheel drive is also standard. Compare the 2021 FIAT 500X trim levels in-depth.

Which 500X trim does Edmunds recommend?

We think the Trekking trim makes the most sense for most buyers. It comes with essentials such as smartphone connectivity and a touchscreen display, as well multiple USB inputs and foglights. And unlike the entry-level Pop trim, the Trekking can be equipped with a range of options such as leather upholstery, navigation and a sunroof.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$220/mo

$204/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

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Reliability

The 2021 FIAT 500X has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #6 out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#6 out of 8 among Subcompact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$435/yr

vs. $435/yr
for Average Subcompact SUV

Frequency

1.03x/yr

vs. 0.69x/yr
for Average Subcompact SUV

Severity

10.3%

vs. 10.7%
for Average Subcompact SUV

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 24V510000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 82B
Number of vehicles affected:: 337128
Defect Description:: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.
Defect Consequence:: A front seat air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 27, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 82B.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles

FIAT 500X Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.2

28 reviews

5(53%)

4(32%)

3(3%)

2(5%)

1(7%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 500X Features & Specs

Trim:

Pop

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$25,815
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	26 MPG
Cost to Drive	$220/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the 500X models:

ParkSense Rear Park Assist System: Sounds an alert as the 500X approaches an object behind the car.
Lane Departure Warning Plus: Alerts the driver if the 500X begins drifting out of its lane and no turn signal has been activated.
Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection: Illuminates a light on the mirror if a vehicle is in the rear blind spot. If the turn signal is activated, an alert will sound.

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good