Fiat 500X Hybrid in the test: the ball becomes a money box

Airy, but only when it’s open: the folding roof for 3000 euros extra tickles the 1.80 meter editor’s curls.

First retract the folding roof, let the sun in. We chose the “Dolcevita”, fresh air pleasure costs 3000 euros more, that is 31,990 euros. First impression: At 1.80 meters tall, the curls protrude from the headliner. The seating position is right for this, the thighs lie on the upholstery, easy entry into a small SÜVchen (4.26 meters short).

And anyway, the 500X is still contemporary in many ways: two USB ports in the front, one in the back, the trunk at the very back is completely lined with carpet, very fine. When it comes to multimedia, we notice the eight years: icons that are much too small, a screen that is much too small like a smart phonebut you cannot charge it inductively.

The turbo lag disappears with the electric motor

But we are here to drive. Of the 1.5 is a four cylinder with 130 hp and connected via a belt starter generator to a 48-volt electric motor, the 20th hp performs. Because the electric motor makes its torque available from the very first second and supports the combustion engine when starting, there is no turbo lag and the mini-SUV gets going quickly from a standing start.

Leisurely gliding is the trump card: If you move the 500X Hybrid calmly, you will be rewarded with a consumption of 5.8 l/100km.

It only gets annoying when, after partial load operation, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission acts too indecisively and sometimes too slowly, when the combustion engine howls loudly when you step on the gas and then all the torque glory is over.

The stated consumption is realistic

You should therefore rather move the 500X Hybrid in the way that the steering, which is designed for comfort, also requires: quietly and leisurely with the focus on relaxed gliding. And because that’s exactly what we did, the on-board computer showed consumption of 5.8 liters, exactly the value according to the WLTP measurement.