Fiat 500X SUV (2018 - ) review

The pricing of the Fiat 500X Hybrid makes it more expensive to buy than the smaller 1.0-litre engined model, so the price of admission alone is higher. The official fuel economy figure shows that, while it does use less petrol, it isn't a great deal better than the 1.0-litre and the smaller engine concedes only 10 horsepower. The hybrid does admittedly reduce emissions to 129g/km - versus 149g/km for the pure petrol engine - and drops it down one tax band, which also has benefits if you're a company car driver. At least the hybrid system isn't an especially complicated one, so you won't need to undertake additional maintenance or do anything differently from a regular petrol car. However, it's worth noting that the 500X doesn't have as strong residual values as some competitors, which could make the total cost of ownership higher in the end.

The reliability of Fiat doesn't look great when you look at its performance in the J.D. Power 2019 UK Vehicle Dependability Study, where it ranked second-from-bottom, just ahead of BMW. Fiat does rank better in the Warranty Direct Reliability Index, with a mid-table position. With every new Fiat, there is a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty to cover most unexpected problems.

All Fiat 500X Hybrids come equipped with an emergency braking system, drowsy driver detection and Lane Assist to prevent you from drifting over the white line. Its cruise control also includes a variable speed limiter, which is handy. The partly digital instrument display can show the current speed limit for the area you're driving in as well while Fiat equips the 500X with two ISOFIX anchor points for child seats in the two outer rear seats. There is an optional Driver Assistance Pack adding adaptive cruise control, self-dipping headlights and - a favourite feature of ours - blind spot warnings to alert you to unseen vehicles coming from behind but, for some reason, you can only add this to the top model and it's not available on the rest of the range, which seems a bit of an oversight.

Interior space is average for its class and the front seats provide plenty of room for taller drivers with a reasonable degree of adjustment to find the right driving position. The front seats are on the firm side, so you may want to try these out before you buy. Fiat adds some colour to the inside with a dashboard fascia painted to match the exterior and all of the controls fall within easy reach. Two gloveboxes and several cubby spaces mean plenty of storage for odds and ends. An optional centre armrest adds more storage, too. With less boot space than many direct rivals the 500X is less suited to carrying big loads, which is fine if you’re moving up from a smaller car. But if you have a growing family and need space for buggies, bikes and everything else you may find it limiting. You can fold down the rear seats, but this only increases the cargo volume to 1,000 litres. Like the seats, the suspension is on the firm side, especially noticeable on poor road surfaces, so if you live in an area with bad roads or a lot of speed bumps you might find this car uncomfortable. As a hybrid, the 500X can cover short parts of a journey using only the electric motor, and it also uses this when parking, helping the car feel quieter and more civilised.

Whichever version of Fiat 500X you choose there is a good level of standard equipment. The entry-level Cross model includes automatic dual-zone climate control, a multi-function steering wheel with cruise control, voice recognition and connectivity via Bluetooth and mirroring with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay via a seven-inch touchscreen. A 12-volt power socket and two USB ports help to keep your devices charged on the go as well. The instrument cluster is easy to read and includes a 3.5-inch display that can show various driving data, such as the hybrid system's performance. Higher spec models include LED headlights and fog lights plus tinted rear windows. One of the more interesting features of the 500X (RED) is an air cabin filter with antibacterial treatment and gel dispenser with hand sanitiser. If you'd like an open-air driving experience, the Dolcevita model adds a retractable fabric roof.

The hybrid option is the second engine offering available for the 500X. It slightly increases overall performance in comparison with the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder that is currently available. For the 500X Hybrid Fiat has created a new 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which is an evolution of an older 1.3-litre unit. A 15kW electric motor is integrated into the automatic gearbox and is powered by a compact battery. As with the smaller 1.0-litre engine, the hybrid 500X is front-wheel drive, so you may want to look elsewhere if you're looking for a crossover that can do some light off-roading. On the road, the 1.5-litre engine delivers sufficient power and can feel relatively brisk when asked, nothing more. The dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) generally works well but is less impressive at lower speeds where it isn't as slick as other similar gearboxes.