Fiat 500X 2019: this is what changes in the urban SUV from Fiat

With interesting changes in technology and engines, and some design details, the Fiat 500X is renewed to remain an interesting alternative among urban SUVs.

The Fiat 500X does not appear among the 10 best-selling SUVs in Spain in 2017. However, since 2016 it has been among the five best-selling in its category in Europe. Now, Fiat renews a model that was launched in 2015, in order to keep competing with confidence in a segment that faces more and more competition. The strategy followed by Fiat when renewing its 500X is similar to the one we have seen in the Jeep Renegade 2019, with which the Fiat SUV shares its technical platform.

Design changes of the 2019 Fiat 500X

Externally, the new design does not substantially change the image of the 500X. New LED light units are included, with Full LED headlights as an option. According to the brand, they guarantee lighting 20% brighter and more powerful than the xenon headlights they replace. More importantly: they allow objects to be identified up to 4 seconds earlier than conventional halogen headlights, when travelling at a speed of 90 km/h.

Beyond the new headlights, redesigned bumpers are also included on the Urban version. And new body protection elements on the Cross and City Cross. As is usual in these “restyling” updates, the 2019 500X also receives new body colour options. And new designs for the alloy wheels, ranging from 16 to 18 inches in diameter.

Inside the new SUV, you have to sit behind the wheel –of new design– to appreciate the main change, the instrument cluster. It is now more legible, combining a vintage design with the technology of a 3.5-inch TFT screen in the centre that the driver can configure to access information. Some materials have also been changed, always with the aim of providing a better visual and tactile feel.

New driver assistance systems

This is where the new 2019 500X takes a real step forward, by renewing its equipment offer with new safety and driving assistance systems, or with an evolution of some that already existed.

As notable elements, which form part of the standard equipment of the Fiat 500X, we find the traffic sign recognition system, now connected to the cruise control. In this way, the system can adjust the speed at which the vehicle travels according to road limits. Also standard is the system of lane departure warning. As options, you can fit blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control or automatic headlights with adaptive high beam, among others.

As for connectivity systems, the new 500X comes as standard with the Uconnect HD Live system with a 7-inch screen, compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It includes Bluetooth, voice recognition, USB auxiliary ports that allow an iPod to be connected, and steering-wheel controls. Optionally it can be completed with the rear-view camera and TomTom 3D navigation.

New engines for the 500X: petrol power

Already used in the new Jeep Renegade, the 500X is now the first Fiat model to fit the new turbo petrol engines of the group. These are the 1.0 three-cylinder with 120 CV, and a 1.3 four-cylinder from the same family, with 150 CV. Both are made of aluminium and use direct injection and a water-cooled turbocharger. For the three-cylinder the gearbox is a six-speed manual. For its part, the more powerful one uses a DCT dual-clutch gearbox, also with six speeds. To these two versions is added the 1.6 E-torq with 110 CV that was used until now, suitably updated to meet the new Euro 6/D-TEMP emissions standard.

The new Fiat 500X range does not leave aside the diesel engines, which are also evolving to meet the new emissions regulations. The offer includes the 1.3 Multijet II with 95 CV, the 1.6 Multijet II with 120 CV –the only one available with manual or DCT automatic gearbox– and the 2.0 Multijet II with 150 CV. The latter is combined with four-wheel drive and a 9-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. All turbodiesel engines now include an SRC catalyst that requires AdBlue additive for its correct operation.

Image gallery of the new 2019 Fiat 500X