The 500X sizzles with snazzy exterior styling and an interior cabin that oozes richness by its color tones, textures, and soft-touch surfaces. As an all-new entry, the 2016 Fiat 500X makes a great first impression. During a one-week test drive, the 500X Trekking AWD model put a heavy accent on the driving experience. The vehicle’s suburb exterior sight lines are especially appreciated during heavy freeway traffic and parking maneuvers. Front and rear seats provide plenty of headroom; add-in the vehicle’s low step-in height, and it’s easy entry and exit for taller teens and adults. The 101.2-inch wheelbase 500X AWD version has 7.9 inches of ground clearance. 500X with the standard front wheel drive has 7 inches of ground clearance.

Power is supplied by either a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder providing 160 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 184 pounds-feet of torque at 2500-4000 rpm, or a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Tigershark MultiAir2 engine releasing 180 horsepower at 6400 rpm and 175 pounds-feet of torque at 3900 rpm. The 1.4-liter engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission while the 2.4-liter engine is mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Five trims are offered: Pop, Easy, Trekking, Lounge, and Trekking Plus. An available Dynamic Selector lets the driver choose from three driving modes (auto, sport, traction +). The Fiat 500X Trekking AWD collects estimated per gallon fuel economy of 21 city/30 highway and carries a base MSRP of $25,100.