Source: Victoria Mason
“It’s so cute!” I heard that phrase again and again as I posted pictures of the Fiat 500X Lounge on social media or when entering or exiting the SUV. Yes, it is considered an SUV, but a subcompact one. No one expected me to tell them that about this tiny car but it is larger than the you would think while still looking pint-sized and stylish.
All new for 2016 the Fiat 500X Lounge AWD arrived at my door in all its ‘Bianco Gelato’ glory. That’s White Clear Coat for the rest of us but the Italian style must be mentioned and used. It’s more fun to call the color ‘Bianco Gelato’, don’t you think? I loved its look instantly. The smart black and red interior accents stirred up all sorts of excitement with anyone and everyone who got a look inside. I loved the slightly mod look on the dashboard and the simplicity of it all.
The Experience
So, what is new for 2016? That’s what I wanted to know. I was also curious about who drives a Fiat 500X Lounge. It isn’t your basic commuter car and it is not exactly a typical family vehicle either due to its smaller size. This is a straight up subcompact SUV that competes with the Mazda CX-3 and Honda CR-V on many levels. My guess is that this is a one or two person car that yearns for style over practicality. From my own driving experience they aren’t driving in traffic often because I found the gear changes rough when I was spending my days in “stop and go” land. Sadly, that’s a lot of my daily driving life. However, the car can get in and out of tight spots and cruise along nicely at higher speeds like on the highway. This is where I felt the most joy in this model. Longer trips that required zipping around other cars is where The Fiat 500X shines. Even if fuel efficiency (22 mpg city/31 mpg highway) is less than other models in its class the interior styling is higher and for some that means more.
Source: Fiatusa.com
What You Get
In the Fiat 500X Lounge you get the windshield wiper de-icer, dual-zone automatic climate control, remote ignition, an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a rear cargo cover, which is nice for hiding your stuff like all those Target bags I keep bringing home. It has an upgraded audio system, a rearview camera and the Uconnect 6.5 control interface. The touchscreen display is 6.5-inches with navigation system and HD radio. I found all of these pieces created a seamless driving experience that was simple to use and navigate during drive time. The dual-pane sunroof was one of the biggest highlights especially on golden fall days. The leather seats and padded upholstery on the interior doors were labeled “squishy” by my daughters tween friend. I call it plush and a nice added bonus for backseat passengers.
In the End
When I finished my time with the Fiat 500X Lounge I was happy I had the chance to drive it. It is a brand I wasn’t familiar with but always found aesthetically pleasing while wondering what the driving experience would be. It’s a firm ride to be sure but it shares its platform with the Jeep Renegade. Knowing that you can anticipate the driving experience. It has style galore and the connects to the daily driving experience which can be quite fun. Starting at $24,850 with the tested version priced at $30,900 it is comparable to other cars in its class with a higher end feel and look. In the end that is what it comes down to when making your decision to purchase a Fiat 500X Lounge over its competitors.
*TMC was not paid for this post. Opinions are 100% my own. Cars provided by Fiat and esi.
