The little Italian is one of the most affordable open-topped cars on the market
11 April 2023 - 13:22
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When closed the cloth top lets in more external noise than a regular hard top car while driving, but the sound isn’t too intrusive.
Picture: DENIS DROPPA
In 2015 Fiat entered the burgeoning crossover segment with its 500X, a much larger and more practical car than its tiny 500 two-door stablemate. Based on the Jeep Renegade which is also part of the Stellantis family, the more family-focused 500X lost some of the 500’s puppy-dog cuteness but laid on a lot more leg room and luggage space plus two extra doors.
In 2021 the 500X was updated with a facelift and updated trim levels, and for 2023 Stellantis has given it further upgrades including the Fiat badge on the front replaced with a “500” logo, and the introduction of a topless version for the first time.
The three-model Fiat 500X range sells in Cross (R509,900) and Sport (R560,900) hard top models, with the R580,900 Sport Extended Soft Top (EST) getting a fabric roof that slides open or closed electrically in 15 seconds at driving speeds up to 100km/h. It isn’t a full cabriolet as the car retains a roof frame, but the wide opening provides ample opportunity for all passengers to get a sunburn.
When closed the cloth top lets in more external noise than a regular hard top car while driving, but the sound isn’t too intrusive and you can listen to the audio system without having to crank up the volume too loud.
Both the open- and closed-roof variants of the 500X Sport have athletic design cues to differentiate them from the cheaper 500X Cross, in the form of body-coloured wheel arch mouldings, side skirts, 19-inch wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips. The Sport’s cabin is jazzed up with a techno leather and Alcantara steering wheel and a titanium styled dashboard finish.
Spec levels are high in the Sport and standard fare includes automatic dual zone air conditioning, simulated leather upholstery, and a multifunction steering wheel. The seven-inch touchscreen is small by modern standards but has all the necessary connectivity including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while there are front and rear charging ports. Navigation is also part of the deal, as is voice recognition.
At 4,248mm in length the 500X is substantially roomier than the two-door 500 which makes do with just 3,546mm. The boot is larger too at 245l versus 185l, and expands to a useful 910l with the back seats folded down.
It all makes for a far more practical family car, though rear leg room in the 500X is still rather tight for tall adults unless front seat occupants are charitable about moving their seats forward.
The electric cloth roof opens in around 15 seconds.
Picture: DENIS DROPPA
The Fiat 500X flits around the suburbs with decent pace. The 1.4 turbo engine delivers adequately perky performance but the dual-clutch auto gearbox sometimes became confused and made jerky up- and downshifts, especially right after starting. It was an intermittent problem and sometimes the transmission worked fine.
There’s a stop/start feature to improve economy, but the car averaged a fairly thirsty 9.6l/100km average which was substantially higher than the 5.7l factory claim.
The 500X has only a slightly higher ride height than a regular car, which helps it handle cleanly and sweep through turns with hatchback-like agility.
The ride is a little on the firm side and the low-profile 225/40 R19 tyres are partly to thank for this. Bumps and potholes unsettle the ride more than you’d like in the urban commute, and the car is not ideally suited to gravel expeditions. For this, the 500X Cross model will make a better option with its higher-profile 18-inch tyres.
The 500X Sport has athletic design cues like body-coloured wheel arch mouldings, side skirts, 19-inch wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips.
Picture: DENIS DROPPA
Fiat refers to the 500X as keeping everything that is cool about the Fiat 500 and combining it with the practical trend towards crossover vehicles.
A large part (ahem) of the two-door Fiat 500’s charm is its small size. The stretched 500X loses some of its “little car that can” chutzpah due to its extra size but still retains some charisma — especially if you like to drive al fresco.
Its main selling point is that it’s one of the most affordable open-topped cars on the market, but if you’re looking for a practical crossover there are better ones out there in terms of cabin space and price.
The 500X EST has no direct rivals with opening roofs, but rated against crossovers of similar size and spec the Fiat is on the expensive end of the scale.
LED headlamps, dual zone climate control, artificial leather upholstery, seven-inch HD touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, voice control, six airbags, ABS brakes, stability control, electric windows, electric sliding soft top, auto on-off lights, keyless access, cruise control, park distance control with reversing camera, driving modes, rain sensor wipers, tyre pressure sensor, sports suspension, lane keeping assist, hill holder
Cost of ownership
Warranty: Five years/ 100,000km
Service Plan: Three years/60,000km
Price: R580,900
Lease*: R12,437 per month
* at 10% interest over 60 months no deposit
Competition
Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 Aspire, 110kW/197Nm — R464,995
Mazda CX-3 2.0 Individual, 115kW/206Nm — R511,600
Kia Seltos 1.4T-GDI GT Line, 103kW/242Nm — R523,995
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
ROAD TEST
REVIEW: Fiat goes al fresco with 500X Sport
The little Italian is one of the most affordable open-topped cars on the market
In 2015 Fiat entered the burgeoning crossover segment with its 500X, a much larger and more practical car than its tiny 500 two-door stablemate. Based on the Jeep Renegade which is also part of the Stellantis family, the more family-focused 500X lost some of the 500’s puppy-dog cuteness but laid on a lot more leg room and luggage space plus two extra doors.
In 2021 the 500X was updated with a facelift and updated trim levels, and for 2023 Stellantis has given it further upgrades including the Fiat badge on the front replaced with a “500” logo, and the introduction of a topless version for the first time.
The three-model Fiat 500X range sells in Cross (R509,900) and Sport (R560,900) hard top models, with the R580,900 Sport Extended Soft Top (EST) getting a fabric roof that slides open or closed electrically in 15 seconds at driving speeds up to 100km/h. It isn’t a full cabriolet as the car retains a roof frame, but the wide opening provides ample opportunity for all passengers to get a sunburn.
When closed the cloth top lets in more external noise than a regular hard top car while driving, but the sound isn’t too intrusive and you can listen to the audio system without having to crank up the volume too loud.
Both the open- and closed-roof variants of the 500X Sport have athletic design cues to differentiate them from the cheaper 500X Cross, in the form of body-coloured wheel arch mouldings, side skirts, 19-inch wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips. The Sport’s cabin is jazzed up with a techno leather and Alcantara steering wheel and a titanium styled dashboard finish.
Spec levels are high in the Sport and standard fare includes automatic dual zone air conditioning, simulated leather upholstery, and a multifunction steering wheel. The seven-inch touchscreen is small by modern standards but has all the necessary connectivity including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while there are front and rear charging ports. Navigation is also part of the deal, as is voice recognition.
At 4,248mm in length the 500X is substantially roomier than the two-door 500 which makes do with just 3,546mm. The boot is larger too at 245l versus 185l, and expands to a useful 910l with the back seats folded down.
It all makes for a far more practical family car, though rear leg room in the 500X is still rather tight for tall adults unless front seat occupants are charitable about moving their seats forward.
The Fiat 500X flits around the suburbs with decent pace. The 1.4 turbo engine delivers adequately perky performance but the dual-clutch auto gearbox sometimes became confused and made jerky up- and downshifts, especially right after starting. It was an intermittent problem and sometimes the transmission worked fine.
There’s a stop/start feature to improve economy, but the car averaged a fairly thirsty 9.6l/100km average which was substantially higher than the 5.7l factory claim.
The 500X has only a slightly higher ride height than a regular car, which helps it handle cleanly and sweep through turns with hatchback-like agility.
The ride is a little on the firm side and the low-profile 225/40 R19 tyres are partly to thank for this. Bumps and potholes unsettle the ride more than you’d like in the urban commute, and the car is not ideally suited to gravel expeditions. For this, the 500X Cross model will make a better option with its higher-profile 18-inch tyres.
Fiat refers to the 500X as keeping everything that is cool about the Fiat 500 and combining it with the practical trend towards crossover vehicles.
A large part (ahem) of the two-door Fiat 500’s charm is its small size. The stretched 500X loses some of its “little car that can” chutzpah due to its extra size but still retains some charisma — especially if you like to drive al fresco.
Its main selling point is that it’s one of the most affordable open-topped cars on the market, but if you’re looking for a practical crossover there are better ones out there in terms of cabin space and price.
The 500X EST has no direct rivals with opening roofs, but rated against crossovers of similar size and spec the Fiat is on the expensive end of the scale.
Tech specs
Engine
Type: Four-cylinder turbo
Capacity: 1.4l
Power: 103kW
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission
Type: Six-speed dual clutch auto
Drive train
Type: Front-wheel drive
Performance
Top speed: 190km/h
0-100km/h: 9.8 seconds
Fuel consumption: 5.7l/00km (claimed); 9.6l/100km (as tested)
Emissions: 133g/km
Standard features
LED headlamps, dual zone climate control, artificial leather upholstery, seven-inch HD touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, voice control, six airbags, ABS brakes, stability control, electric windows, electric sliding soft top, auto on-off lights, keyless access, cruise control, park distance control with reversing camera, driving modes, rain sensor wipers, tyre pressure sensor, sports suspension, lane keeping assist, hill holder
Cost of ownership
Warranty: Five years/ 100,000km
Service Plan: Three years/60,000km
Price: R580,900
Lease*: R12,437 per month
* at 10% interest over 60 months no deposit
Competition
Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 Aspire, 110kW/197Nm — R464,995
Mazda CX-3 2.0 Individual, 115kW/206Nm — R511,600
Kia Seltos 1.4T-GDI GT Line, 103kW/242Nm — R523,995
Opel Mokka 1.2T GS line, 96kW/230Nm — R539,900
Peugeot 2008 1.2T GT, 96kW/230Nm — R544,900
Jeep Renegade 1.4T Limited, 103kW/230Nm — R560,900
Volkswagen T-Roc 1.4 TSI Design, 110kW/250Nm — R572,300
Mini Cooper Convertible 1.5T, 100kW/220Nm — R641,661
Mini Cooper Countryman 1.5T, 100kW/220Nm — R644,940
Fiat 500X 1.4T Sport EST
WE LIKE: One of the cheapest ways to go topless
WE DISLIKE: Rear legroom, price
VERDICT: Bring sunscreen
Motor News star rating
Design * * *
Performance * * *
Economy * * *
Ride * * *
Handling * * * *
Safety * * * * *
Value For Money * * *
Overall * * *
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