Yahoo Autos Updated 2019 Fiat 500X Does More with Less Engine
Night and day differences aren't paramount in most refreshed cars. There's often no point to resculpting a bumper or changing a gauge's typeface other than guarding sales against younger, hotter competitors. And so it is with the 2019 Fiat 500X, which, despite having been updated for the new model year, is virtually indistinguishable from last year's version. Buried within the latest 500X, however, is a notable upgrade that does improve this subcompact crossover's driving experience: Fiat Chrysler Automobile's (FCA) new turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-four.
It may seem fruitless to introduce a new turbo inline-four that's a mere 36 cc shy in displacement of FCA's existing 1.4-liter engine, which still can be found under the hoods of its 500, 500C, 500L, and 124 Spider models, as well as the Jeep Renegade. But like a career politician, the turbo 1.4 has become complacent amid rapid technological progress. Lead engineer Jim Westbrook lists the new 1.3 engine's hardware stats like a proud father, including an electric thermostat and exhaust manifold cast into the engine block, higher-energy ignition coils, an intercooler integrated with the intake manifold, and Fiat's third generation of its MultiAir variable intake valve system. There's also more boost from the turbocharger, 25 psi, up from the previous engine's peak of 18 psi.
In essence, the new engine does more with less. Peak output of 177 horsepower at 5500 rpm and a stout 210 lb-ft of torque at 2200 rpm represent noticeable increases of 17 horses and 26 lb-ft. More important, this 1.3-liter is now the sole engine choice across the 500X lineup, as is standard all-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. That it is compatible with FCA's eTorque hybrid system means we also expect to see a hybrid version make its way into certain Fiat and Jeep models in the coming years.
A Simpler Yet Better Package
Front-wheel-drive and manual-transmission versions are no longer available on the 500X as of 2019, nor is the gritty and underwhelming 2.4-liter Tigershark inline-four that was a required upgrade for previous all-wheel-drive 500X models. That engine put out 180 horsepower yet mustered only 175 lb-ft at a high 3900 rpm. In contrast, the much smaller 1.3-liter feels punchier, and the nine-speed doesn't hunt as blindly among its thicket of gears. The 2019 500X is fairly quiet at full throttle, although some buzziness is still detectable. With so little displacement to work with, the 1.3-liter can feel rather anemic until its turbo spools up. But once it does, it shrugs off elevation changes that made the 2018 500X stagger. Hustled down the twisty roads around the Hudson River, the Fiat also exhibits a bit more composure from its revised damper tuning.
Keen observers can spot the 2019 500X by its lightly revised front and rear fascias, new wheel design, LED headlights, updated taillights with body-color inserts, and some additional paint colors. Fiat promises 2019 fuel economy figures of 24 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, which are improvements of 3 mpg city and 1 highway over last year's model with the 2.4-liter and all-wheel drive.
Unfortunately, the Fiat 500X's prices also have increased for 2019, with the entry-level Pop trim level with all-wheel drive now commanding $26,235, a $1050 bump over the 2018 version. The top-spec Trekking Plus model like the one we drove now stickers for more than $30K before options. Granted, a slight upcharge is to be expected with any significant update in equipment. But that's still a lot to ask for a wee crossover from a non-luxury brand, and FCA's new turbo 1.3-liter engine has yet to prove its worth at our test track.
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