You'll want to wrap Fiat's wee 500X crossover in a loving embrace, thanks to adorable styling that makes it look like a real-life version of Luigi from the movie "Cars." But after a too-short while, that initial thrill evolves into the disenchantment of an ill-advised fling.
With its cute design and cool interior, the 500X has loads of appeal in the showroom or on a quick test drive, but a long-term relationship is likely to be fraught with frustration.
We've grown accustomed to the slow acceleration of this new crop of subcompact crossovers. But anyone expecting la dolce vita will wind up yelling made-up Italian curses at the reluctant engine and obstinate transmission. Even if the engine had enough power to deliver acceleration with any gusto, the 500X feels bogged down by its nine-speed automatic, which is neither smooth nor responsive. Shifts are stiff, and there's a reluctance to downshift.
We got an overall 23 mpg fuel consumption with the old 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which wasn't impressive. A new 1.3-liter turbo engine replaced the older engines for 2019, and is likely to improve that.
Like its Jeep Renegade cousin, the 500X is annoying even when standing still, with an idle vibration that chatters through the steering wheel and seat. It's enough to make you want to shift into neutral at traffic lights.
Traverse a bumpy surface and the Fiat reveals a dreadful ride that beats you up with stiff shots to your kidneys. Even the highway ride is a tiring, unsettled affair, with a nervous jitter going through your hands and spine. All the while, your ears are assaulted with a cacophony of engine, road, and wind noise.
Despite its raised ride height, the 500X is fairly responsive in corners and you don't feel much body lean. At least the Fiat engineers got that part of the suspension tuning correct. Still, the steering gives no touchy-feely feedback to your input, removing any enjoyment from the drive. The grabby brakes, particularly at low speeds, are another source of frustration.
Unlike its rugged Jeep cousin, the 500X's interior feels as if its designers spent some time among the couture shops of Milan. The layout is stylish and possesses some flair, with body-color panels and whimsical -- though cheap-feeling -- buttons, knobs, and switches.
Fiat incorporated Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system into the 500X with an easy to use touch screen. Still, the displays have some quirks. You have to configure the gauge cluster to show the outside temperature, and if you shut off the radio, the time display inexplicably goes away.
Yes, this is a small vehicle -- no getting past that. The rear seat isn't accommodating, and cargo space is modest, even compared with its subcompact SUV peers. Advanced safety aids are available.