SALT LAKE CITY — The iconic Italian brand Fiat returned to the United States in 2009 after acquiring a stake in Chrysler Corporation. It had been since 1983 that Fiat last sold cars in the U.S. Fiat, along with Mini and others, has helped to lead a resurgence of smaller cars in this country in the years since.

The Fiat 500X is a crossover with all-wheel drive and sporty performance. First impressions are nostalgic ones and modern technology is complimented well by a simplicity of design that is refreshing.

The very pleasing Italian exhaust notes combine with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which feels like a manual at times, to transport drivers to a simpler and sportier driving experience that is becoming rarer with each passing year.

Fiat also brings rarified price points to American drivers. Fiat 500 two door models are available well equipped at around $17,000. The 500X crossover starts at just over $20,000 with front-wheel drive.

“Fiat provides almost unheard of value, combined with 13 color options and a level of fun that is unique in the American market,” according to John Franco, Fiat specialist at Ken Garff Fiat/Alfa Romeo of Salt Lake City.

Overall Grade: B

Exterior styling

The 500X starts high at the back end and slopes toward the front. The rear is dominated by large taillights trimmed in chrome. The front and rear overhangs are similar in length, making the car appear smaller and less roomy than it is.

The rear hatch features a top spoiler and wiper blade accenting the rear glass and the chrome Fiat badge blends with a chrome accent that features the 500X logo and runs the entire width of the rear hatch.

Front styling carries over from the back with large headlamps and fog lamps as the most prominent feature. The Fiat emblem is prominent and extends across the grill in chrome. A large bottom air intake completes the look.

The taillights sit slightly higher than the headlights and further the downward sloped appearance from the side. The arancio red of the test model was an attractive deeper shade of red and was set off well by 17-inch black and silver wheels.

Interior styling

The first thing I noticed when entering the vehicle was that the exterior red color had carried over to the interior. The center dash panel, which runs nearly the full length of the dash and offsets the center media controls from the climate controls below, is an attractive addition.

The media and climate controls, along with the instrument panel, provide a retro feel to the interior that matches perfectly with the fantastic exhaust note at startup. The instrument panel includes smaller physical tachometer and speedo at either side of the animated center driver information center.

While this particular model lacks power seats or navigation there are reminders of this being a modern car, which included USB ports and park assist and traction control buttons to either side of the red hazard light button.

The large, squared off steering wheel includes controls for phone and changing the driver control center view to the left and cruise control settings to the right. One minor annoyance, shared by most Fiat/Chrysler vehicles, is the lack of volume controls for the stereo on the steering wheel.

The seats are attractive and two-tone, with vinyl up top and darker cloth below. A stitched 500 logo sits nicely in the center of the front seat backs.

Rear leg and headroom is surprisingly good as the 500 is roomier than it appears from the outside. Split rear seats fold flat and a convenient adjustable rear deck allows for an upper and lower position that can allow for a completely flat rear deck with the seats down. Hidden storage is available below that deck.

Technology

Five trim levels are available, all named rather than numbered, and the Trekking model I drove sits in the middle. While it lacks power seats or navigation, Sirius XM radio with voice controls were included as part of the UConnect 5-inch touchscreen media system.

Tire pressure monitoring and heated mirrors are standard. Park assist monitoring is included, but not a backup camera. Visibility was excellent and more than makes up for the camera not being available. Options on the Lounge and Trekking Plus models can include navigation, heated and power seats, blind spot monitoring and dual zone climate control.

While this particular model lacks some features most drivers have come to take for granted, they weren’t missed as the retro and sporty feel of the car was only accentuated.

Ken Garff Fiat’s Franco pointed out that the spread between all five trim levels, mostly tech enhancements, is less than $8,000 in total.

Performance and handling

As mentioned previously, the perfect Italian exhaust notes start every trip off on the right foot. The sound system is a good one, but I found myself turning it down frequently to simply hear the natural sounds of the car itself. Except for the entry level Pop trim level, all 500X models are equipped with a 2.4 liter, 180 HP Tigershark engine which includes Fiat’s Multi-Air variable valve timing.

The 9-speed automatic transmission is a dual clutch design and took some getting used to. The 500X crossover shares a platform and drivetrain with the Jeep Renegade and both models have been hit with frequent transmission complaints that Fiat has addressed with multiple software updates since its release.

The engine revs high and is smooth, but the transmission is clunky in gears one through three. Once fourth gear is reached it performs very well and shift changes are barely noticeable. Passengers commented without fail that the ride was much too rough, due to shift changes that literally throw driver and passengers back in their seats.

Fiat claims nearly 20 percent better gas mileage with the nine speed compared to the standard six-speed transmission. Driving in manual mode smooths things out some but more than anything I was best able to adjust to the harsh early shift points by throttling back slightly, just as I would if driving a manual transmission, with each pending shift.

The 500X feels quicker than Fiat’s reported 8.7-second zero to 60 MPH run time. Having to let off the acceleration pedal in order to smooth out the rough transmission starts was frustrating. Handling in the corners was very good for a crossover and the car feels low to the ground and tight.

Steering felt more responsive than other Fiat/Chrysler products I’ve driven but braking felt similar to other cars in the FCA family with the vague braking feel that doesn’t equate to the amount of pressure going to the pedal.

Conclusions

The Fiat 500X offers retro styling, fantastic Italian sound and a driving experience that is mostly good. Even the transmission glitches can be excused somewhat in a car that would be better served with a manual in the first place.

The interior styling matches the exterior perfectly and Fiat offers a surprisingly roomy crossover that is very favorably priced compared to other all-wheel drive vehicles. That price point makes a vehicle that is less refined than most crossovers on the market not only bearable, but ultimately, very fun to drive.

Specs

• Vehicle type: Front engine, all-wheel drive, 5 passenger, 4-door hatchback
• Engine: SOHC 16 valve inline 4 cylinder; aluminum block and head, fuel injection
• Displacement: 144 cubic inches, 2360 cc
• Power: 180 HP, 175 feet-pound torque
• Transmission: 9 speed auto with manual mode
• Wheelbase: 101.2 inches
• Performance: 8.7 seconds 0-60 MPH; 16.8 seconds a quarter mile at 82 MPH
• Warranty: 4 year, 50,000 mile bumper to bumper; 4 year unlimited mile roadside
• Fuel economy: EPA city/highway 21/30 MPG
• Price as tested: $28,000

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