Performance & drive
What it’s like to drive, and how quiet it is
Engine, 0-60mph and gearbox
To kick off the Fiat 500X’s engine range, your first option is a 118bhp three-cylinder 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, called the FireFly Turbo 1.0 120, which is available only with a manual gearbox and covers a 0-62mph sprint in an adequate 10.9sec. That’s more or less on a par with the 1.0 TSI in the entry-level Volkswagen T-Roc and should be enough power for most situations.
If you want a little more get up and go, the only other option is the 1.5 FireFly Turbo T4 48V mild hybrid. That gives you 128bhp to play with and reduces the 0-62mph sprint to 9.4sec, faster than the Ford Puma 1.0-litre Ecoboost 125. It’s just a shame that the standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is frustratingly slow to drop down a few gears when you ask for a sudden burst of power to take advantage of a gap in traffic.
The high-speed ride is not so good because the 500X becomes a bit fidgety and prone to lurching about over mid-corner bumps and undulations, swaying you around in the process. Sport trim gives the car lowered and stiffened suspension, and while it’s not what you’d call uncomfortable, it has a firmer edge to it than in other trim levels.
Even so, if you drive a lot or comfort is high on your list of priorities, we’d suggest turning your attention to the Skoda Kamiq and the T-Roc, both of which are better controlled and more comfortable overall.
