First look: 2016 Fiat 500X

The infatuation began in 2011 with the U.S. arrival of the tiny Italian Fiat 500. It continued through successive models: the 500c convertible, high-performance 500 Abarth and Abarth convertible, electric 500e, and five-passenger 500L. But Fiat has introduced a 500 with all-wheel drive and it might have Pacific Northwest drivers singing “that’s amoré!”

While the original 500 is a spry little car perfectly suited to single urban dwellers, the all-new 2016 Fiat 500X inhabits compact crossover territory. It’s bigger, tougher, and has room for five people plus a decent-sized cargo area with a height-adjustable floor. A forward-folding front passenger seat provides additional cargo-carrying versatility.

Though the 500X is similar in size to the 500L, there’s a structural difference: the 500X shares its architecture with Jeep’s new Renegade crossover.

There are five different versions of the 500X, the first three with funny names well known to those familiar with the other 500 models: Pop, Easy, and Lounge. The remaining two are Trekking and Trekking plus, styled for a more rugged appearance.

A 160-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission are standard on the Pop model, whose base pricing with a $900 destination charge is $20,900. An automatic transmission is not available on this model.

The other four versions come equipped with a 180-horsepower 2.4-liter Tigershark engine and nine-speed automatic transmission. Their base prices with destination charge, listed in the same order as shown above, range from $23,200 to $28,000. These prices are for front-wheel-drive configuration. For all-wheel drive, add $1,900.

Official fuel economy ratings have not been announced yet, but to put you in the ballpark: The 2015 500L with a 1.4-liter engine is rated 25 mpg around town and 33 mpg on the open road. Make a mental note that unleaded regular fuel is acceptable for the Pop’s 1.4-liter engine, but premium is recommended. On the other hand, regular unleaded is the recommended fuel for the 2.4-liter Tigershark of the Easy, Lounge, Trekking and Trekking Plus models.

Fiat’s AWD system boosts fuel efficiency by operating the car in two-wheel mode during smooth sailing and kicking into all-wheel operation only when the going gets sketchy.

Almost anything your head or heart desires in the way of safety, convenience, comfort, telematics, connectivity and just plain coolness is available on the Fiat 500X in one way or another. If it isn’t standard, it’s available through one or more of the many optional packages provided.

The 2016 Fiat 500X is built in Melfi, Italy. Cars have already arrived on U.S. shores and will be available in dealerships within the next few weeks.

This is a preview of the 2016 Fiat 500X based on an introductory event held by the manufacturer. Although the vehicle was driven during the event, automotive reviews that include driving impressions and other opinions appear only after a vehicle has been given the standard weeklong test-drive.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

Black Press Media operates Sound Publishing, the largest community news organization in Washington State with dailies and community news outlets in Alaska.
Black Press Media concludes transition of ownership

Black Press Media, which operates Sound Publishing, completed its sale Monday (March 25), following the formerly announced corporate restructuring.

Maygen Hetherington, executive director of the Historic Downtown Snohomish Association, laughs during an interview in her office on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Maygen Hetherington: tireless advocate for the city of Snohomish

Historic Downtown Snohomish Association receives the Opportunity Lives Here award from Economic Alliance.

FILE - Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs poses in front of photos of the 15 people who previously held the office on Nov. 22, 2021, after he was sworn in at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Hobbs faces several challengers as he runs for election to the office he was appointed to last fall. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File)
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs: ‘I wanted to serve my country’

Hobbs, a former Lake Stevens senator, is the recipient of the Henry M. Jackson Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Mark Duffy poses for a photo in his office at the Mountain Pacific Bank headquarters on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mark Duffy: Building a hometown bank; giving kids an opportunity

Mountain Pacific Bank’s founder is the recipient of the Fluke Award from Economic Alliance Snohomish County.

Barb Tolbert poses for a photo at Silver Scoop Ice Cream on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Barb Tolbert: Former mayor piloted Arlington out of economic brink

Tolbert won the Elson S. Floyd Award, honoring a leader who has “created lasting opportunities” for the underserved.

Photo provided by 
Economic Alliance
Economic Alliance presented one of the Washington Rising Stem Awards to Katie Larios, a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School.
Mountlake Terrace High School senior wins state STEM award

Katie Larios was honored at an Economic Alliance gathering: “A champion for other young women of color in STEM.”

The Westwood Rainier is one of the seven ships in the Westwood line. The ships serve ports in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast Asia. (Photo provided by Swire Shipping)
Westwood Shipping Lines, an Everett mainstay, has new name

The four green-hulled Westwood vessels will keep their names, but the ships will display the Swire Shipping flag.

A Keyport ship docked at Lake Union in Seattle in June 2018. The ship spends most of the year in Alaska harvesting Golden King crab in the Bering Sea. During the summer it ties up for maintenance and repairs at Lake Union. (Keyport LLC)
In crabbers’ turbulent moment, Edmonds seafood processor ‘saved our season’

When a processing plant in Alaska closed, Edmonds-based business Keyport stepped up to solve a “no-win situation.”

Angela Harris, Executive Director of the Port of Edmonds, stands at the port’s marina on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Edmonds, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Leadership, love for the Port of Edmonds got exec the job

Shoring up an aging seawall is the first order of business for Angela Harris, the first woman to lead the Edmonds port.

The Cascade Warbirds fly over Naval Station Everett. (Sue Misao / The Herald file)
Bothell High School senior awarded $2,500 to keep on flying

Cascade Warbirds scholarship helps students 16-21 continue flight training and earn a private pilot’s certificate.

Rachel Gardner, the owner of Musicology Co., a new music boutique record store on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 in Edmonds, Washington. Musicology Co. will open in February, selling used and new vinyl, CDs and other music-related merchandise. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Edmonds record shop intends to be a ‘destination for every musician’

Rachel Gardner opened Musicology Co. this month, filling a record store gap in Edmonds.

MyMyToyStore.com owner Tom Harrison at his brick and mortar storefront on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burst pipe permanently closes downtown Everett toy store

After a pipe flooded the store, MyMyToystore in downtown Everett closed. Owner Tom Harrison is already on to his next venture.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.