2023 Fiat 500X Performance

The four-door Fiat 500X does not look like a performance car. Not by a long shot. So it would be silly to expect it to launch like a Subaru WRX STI and top out at 200 mph. That being said, this little Italian does have some pep in its step. The 500X will do the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 8.5 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than a 1962 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, and on par with a Jeep Renegade. Its small 1.3-liter turbocharged engine and low curb weight afford the 500X nippy acceleration, which is perfect for city driving. It can reach a top speed in excess of 110 mph, but don't expect much more. In terms of towing capacity, the little Fiat will haul 2,000 lbs. The good news is that all Fiat 500X models are equipped with AWD as standard, whereas many competitors make you pay extra

The Fiat 500X has been using a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-pot engine for a few years now. This gutsy little engine produces 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque and sends its power to all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. With only 3,305 lbs to haul around town, one would think these specs enough. Unfortunately, this much-maligned ZF-sourced nine-speed automatic fails this little engine; cruising around town feels fine, but as soon as a certain gear or a spurt of acceleration is demanded, the auto transmission falls flat on its face. This gearbox regularly hunts for gears, and you'll start nodding off before it gives you the one you're looking for. However, once the car gets going, it feels sprightly. Still, the extended delay waiting for the right gear causes a disconnected feeling, and forget about "manual mode" - the 500X basically ignores any physical instruction.

The 1.3-liter turbocharged engine should be efficient, given its small displacement, but it returns only average figures of 24/30/26 mpg city/highway/combined. The 500X is a touch more fuel-efficient than the 4WD Jeep Renegade with the same engine, though, which gets 23/29/26 mpg. With a fuel capacity of 12.7 gallons, it will get you 330 miles out of Dallas before running dry.