► Month three with our Fiat 500X
► Four-pot, 1.6 diesel engine on test
► Looking back on previous tests
In an interruption to our regular programming, I feel I need to comment on Mr ffrench-Constant’s little group test with the 500X (my 500X) (CAR, October). Up against Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade (a 500X made by ‘Murican off-road enthusiasts) and Mazda CX-3, it was the latter that came out on top.
The podium must have been a rather horizontal affair though, because each contender scored a middling three-stars-out-of-five, saying much about the overall quality on offer in this particular segment. In fact, it was the Renegade that stood out most in Anthony’s mind, not because of any particular prowess, but because it wasn’t a copycat ‘soft roader’. Instead there was four-wheel drive and a huge array of green-lane-inspired gimmicks, like a muddy splat where the redline for the rev counter should be and ‘To New Adventures!’ etched around the ignition barrel. All that was missing was a ‘One Life, Live It’ bumper sticker…
I see where he’s coming from, mind, as too many new cars these days are built to fulfil a particular set of parameters and do nothing more – and definitely not anything exciting. But despite those extra little touches, in my mind it doesn’t make the Renegade either better or more noteworthy than the 500X, or the CX-3 for that matter. In fact, up against the identikit Fiat (beyond similarities beneath the surface, a quick glance around the cabin reveals the sat-nav is shared, ditto the window switches, steering-wheel buttons, and air-con controls minus a little chrome applique) I reckon it’s worse, with heavier steering, a noisier engine and reduced visibility. A few design flourishes can’t beat superior(ish) engineering.
Where does that leave the Fiat though, especially in the context of so-so opposition? Well, I’m reminded of CJ’s sales pitch when he first suggested it as a successor to my Mini. ‘I quite liked the Fiat on the launch,’ he wrote. ‘So I’ll hope it’ll suit you.’ And you know what? It does. Normal service (with a full explanation of my reasoning, which isn’t damning it with faint praise) resumes next month.
From the driving seat
+ Diesel clatter is now a background noise I don’t really notice, but…
– …there’s a rattle! Not sure where from – door or dash. It’s there at idle/low revs
Logbook Fiat 500X 1.6 MultiJet Cross
Price: £20,095
As tested: £24,320
Miles this month: 1463
Total miles: 3838
Our mpg: 47.5
Official mpg: 68.9
Fuel this month: £155.69
Extra costs: £0