The 2022 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.
Nick Yekikian has worked in the automotive industry since 2019. He has written close to a thousand car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 200 vehicles over the course of his career. Nick is the Senior News Editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Automobile Magazine and Super Street. When Nick isn't zipping around town in his latest used-car find, he's probably making digital art in Photoshop or playing disc golf with friends.
Pros
Distinctive Italian styling
Standard all-wheel drive
Well-made interior space
Cons
Limited cargo and passenger space
Small touchscreen can be tough to use
High starting price
Several available driving aids, but few work well
What's new
Trekking Plus trim level replaced with Trekking Value Plus package
Small changes in available features
Part of the first Fiat 500X generation introduced for 2016
Overview
The 2022 Fiat 500X is the only car Fiat still sells in the United States, but the decision to keep it around does make some sense. Sales in the U.S. have swung overwhelmingly in favor of SUVs in the last 10 years, and Fiat is keeping one foot in the American market with this stylish extra-small SUV. It also comes standard with a distinctively styled interior and all-wheel drive.
Unfortunately, the 500X feels underpowered compared to the rest of the competition, and there's a noticeable lack of storage space for a car that claims to be an SUV. Other subcompact SUVs, such as the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Venue, offer more standard features on equivalent trim levels, and the Kia Seltos offers more interior space and more cargo room. Is the 500X's unique style enough to make it worth considering over the competition? Check out our Expert Rating below before making your decision.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Average
7.3
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2022 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.
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 Fiat purports, it at least makes you look like you're someone who likes to have fun. That's kind of the point here.
Which 500X does Edmunds recommend?
We recommend the Trekking trim for most buyers. Like the base Pop, it comes with standard features such as smartphone connectivity and a touchscreen display. On top of that it's available with the new-for-2022 Trekking Plus Value package that bundles desirable advanced driver assist features such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2022 FIAT 500X models
For 2022, the 500X comes in three trim levels: Pop, Trekking and Sport. A turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque is the only engine available across the lineup. It's connected to a nine-speed automatic transmission that sends power to a standard all-wheel-drive system. Feature highlights include:
Pop This entry-level trim serves as the 500X's base model and starts off with:
17-inch alloy wheels
Keyless entry
Remote start
Cloth upholstery
Height-adjustable front seats
7-inch touchscreen display
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility
USB inputs (two front, one rear)
Six-speaker sound system
Trekking Stepping up from the base model to this trim nets extra equipment such as:
Automatic headlights
Color driver information display
Foglights
Height-adjustable cargo load floor
Sport This top-spec model adds:
18-inch wheels
Sportier exterior styling
Sport steering wheel
Each trim level offers a couple of option packages, typically making the features offered on upper trim levels available on lower trims. Other notable options include: Pop Value package (Pop trim only)
Automatic headlights
Premium audio system
Rear parking sensors
Comfort Group (Trekking and Sport)
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Ambient interior lighting
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Trekking Plus Value package
Dark-colored 18-inch wheels
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the 500X and the car in front)
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane keeping assist (steers the 500X back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 FIAT 500X Pop 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
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
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the FIAT 500X from 2008-2022.
$435/yr
vs. $435/yr for Average Subcompact SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
1.03x/yr
vs. 0.69x/yr for Average Subcompact SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
10.3%
vs. 10.7% for Average Subcompact SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
2018 FIAT 500X Urbana Edition 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
What I love. Well just look at the car! So stylish. I had been driving a 2013 Subaru Crosstrek. I love that this is even a little more compact and that there are so few on the road. Performance probably not as good. Subaru AWD can't be beat, and the Subaru flat 4 has a lower center of gravity. Ground clearance on the 500X is same as Crosstrek, very good. Seats ride higher on the 500X … even though the heights of the vehicles are the same, so better road visibility. 5'11" or taller is a problem in the back if you have the moonroof. Acceleration is about the same (Fiat has more HP but more weight). Gas mileage (25 combined) is one less than the Crosstrek. Cabin noise is much better in the 500X. Rear visibility better in the 500X (I had to remove the rear headrests in the Crosstrek). Professional reviews complain about the 9-speed struggling to find the right gear, I haven't noticed a thing. Most importantly, did I mention how hot this thing is? Ow! Love it! (Cons: no cargo cover (though it's only a small gap between the back seats and the trunk), auto dim mirror on top model only, limited Fiat accessories, gas mileage should be better.)
Fantastico!
5 out of 5 stars
Terry M, 05/23/2019
2019 FIAT 500X Trekking 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 4cyl Turbo 9A)
Rented a Fiat 500X for a two week vacation in Europe and was awed by its performance. My wife and I were also impressed with the automobile's comfort, maneuverability, peppiness and display gadgets such as "driver assist" which posted the speed limit on rural roads along with many other features. I am not sure what are mpg was using diesel fuel, but the car's consumption seemed average … for an automatic transmission. My American preconceived perception of Fiat has totally changed..I am impressed.
If you are tired of the same old same old....
5 out of 5 stars
Robert DiGia, 06/26/2017
2017 FIAT 500X Pop 4dr SUV (1.4L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
I have owned over 65 vehicle in my lifetime, and this 500X hits a sweet spot between form and function. It has that either love it or hate it styling ..which I love...the driving experience with the manual 6 speed and turbo 1.4 gives that sense of control and feel for the road that seems missing in most of the made for the masses CUV's out there...its refreshing to be engaged with the … driving experience instead being a slave to the computer controlled automatic transmissions that make a mad dash for the highest ratio gearing no matter what speed you are driving. I guess I am one of the 4% ers that still like to row their own gears in this style of vehicle. The great part of this vehicle is that it has a 4 year/50K bumper to bumper warranty for a car that is priced with incentives at $15K . Add to that fact, that the car is well executed in its fit and finish with better quality materials than what would be found on higher grade trim levels from other manufacturers you can drive away from the dealership confident that you are not feeling car poor and still are driving a car that might arouse some envy from onlookers. ......time will tell if the thrill of commanding a fun to drive stylish CUV will fade, but I suspect given the choice of driving my RAV4 limited or the 500X in my driveway I will grab the keys to the FIAT....she is just so much more fun!
I have had the car a year now.... still love driving it. The 4cyl Turbo with the 6 speed is in my opinion the better of the two drivetrains. Unfortunately a buyer cannot option the AWD system with this drivetrain arrangement. FIAT only offers a 4wd with their Jeep Renegade that uses the same platform as the 500x with the turbo and manual setup. I knew that when I bought the car and looked at the Jeep... but the suspension tuning and styling pushed me to the 500x ... I have an AWD vehicle so it wasn’t a big deal to forego the option in the FIAT... so far very pleased... lots of compliments on the car from onlookers at gas stations and parking lots...
Impressive SUV! Worth every penny.
5 out of 5 stars
Shawn J, 03/04/2017
2017 FIAT 500X Trekking 4dr SUV AWD (2.4L 4cyl 9A)
I moved into the 500x Trekking AWD from my 2013 FIAT Abarth. I really really liked my Abarth but absolutely love my new 500x! I have some physical disabilities and the Abarth was while very fun to drive also hard for me to drive and was starting to find that people just do not see you in that small of a vehicle. Looking for comfort, and size over the Abarth and the high quality of a … precision Italian SUV boy did I find it! The new interior of the 500x Trekking is amazing and the technology in the features blew me away! It may take me a month to learn how to use everything this SUV has to offer. Styling is great and the optional 18" wheel package and AWD I got adds even more tremendous styling. Acceleration is so so but then again I'm coming from the Abarth. Fuel economy is also not real fantastic but still pretty reasonable. Overall I have zero complaints on this SUV. The one serious recommendation I have though is, get either the Trekking AWD or Lounge AWD model. I test drove the Pop and Easy FWD models and they do not even compare. All the bells and whistles with the two higher models are 100% worth it!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 FIAT 500X, so we've included reviews for other years of the 500X since its last redesign.
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