Following a mid-life makeover revealed this summer
in Europe, America’s Fiat 500X brings similar enhancements for 2019 to the LA
Auto Show. Chief among them is an all-new 1.3-liter MultiAir III turbocharged
four-cylinder gasoline engine. Replacing both the 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo unit
and the 2.4-liter Tigershark, the new engine delivers 177 horsepower and 284 Nm of torque. That’s almost the same power output as the 2.4-liter
engine but with an extra 47 Nm of torque.
The facelifted Fiat 500X features a standard
nine-speed automatic transmission that promises “quicker acceleration and
smoother shifting” than before. Also standard is an all-wheel-drive system with
a disconnecting rear axle for improved fuel efficiency. Previously, AWD was
available only as an option on select trim levels.
The styling updates are quite subtle and include new
front and rear fascias, LED DRLs and taillights, and available LED headlights.
Additionally, customers will be able to choose three new exterior colors:
Italia Blue, Vibrante Green, and Milano Ivory.
Inside, the refreshed 500X brings new cloth seats, a
redesigned steering wheel wrapped in Techno-leather, and a 3.5-inch TFT
display. Another update is the standard Uconnect 4 infotainment system with a
7-inch touchscreen. The interface offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
connectivity, Bluetooth hands-free calling, voice command, and streaming audio.
Fiat says the 2019 500X brings nearly 70
safety features — including the newly-available Adaptive Cruise Control and
Front Park Assist. Notable active and passive safety features are Blind-spot
Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, and ParkView rear backup camera with
dynamic grid lines.
The 2019 Fiat 500X will offer three grades (Pop,
Trekking and Trekking Plus), with prices starting from US$ 25,785 (including
destination). The facelifted crossover will arrive in Fiat studios in spring
2019.
