Fiat 500X crossover: Italian style in a small package

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.

Sacramento, California -- "What a cute car!"  You get that a lot from folks who see the Fiat 500X for the first time.

And I can't argue with that.  The compact, attractive roundness is easy on the eyes, as is the sculpting on the grille.  My 2020 Fiat 500X Trekking Plus AWD tester looked particularly fetching on the optional 18-inch "matte anthracite aluminum" wheels.

Most folks in my neighborhood thought the tester was a basic hatch.  Technically, it's a subcompact crossover sport-utility vehicle, the segment being filled to the brim by automakers worldwide.  As such, the 500X will be trying to lure buyers in a crowded, brutally competitive sector.

How is it going to do that?  Based on my week in the 500X, here's what I think...

For starters, it has the distinctive Fiat name and reputation, which translates to a saucy sense of style.  Inside, the tested Fiat radiated Euro-charm with black trim offset with "Milano Ivory" surfaces that matched the vehicle's exterior paint.  For folks who like to say they own a Fiat, as opposed to, say, a Ford of a Chevy, the 500X is the ticket.

The 500X is small and endlessly functional for the city or urban dweller.  It can do the basic hauling/transporting chores and save you some gas money in the bargain -- 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.

One other point -- and the most surprising to me -- is how well it scoots.  The tested 500X packed a 1.3-liter turbo-4 rated at 177 horsepower and 210 foot-pounds of torque.  That's serious oomph for a vehicle of this size, and it showed.  I found the 500X tester decidedly enthusiastic off the line and robust on the move.  I was continually impressed with how easily and effortlessly it moved through traffic and out of harm's way.  Definitely a plus.

On the other side of the coin, the tester's air-conditioning system struggled to cool down the vehicle on several of Sacramento's hot summer days.  In fairness, other vehicles I've driven have labored hard on some of the Central Valley's most sizzling summer afternoons.

I also found the price on the generously loaded tester -- $35,375 on the sticker's bottom line -- to be a bit steep, although I was pleased to have extras that included automatic headlamp high-beam control, a dual-pane power sunroof and a premium Beats audio system.

The Beats audio system is among multiple features that shout out to young buyers, but I think the 500X has timeless charms for a much wider audience.  It's a must-see for those who like performance and compact utility, with a dash of Italian style.