Fiat 500X Hybrid review: what the car critics say
Fiat has given the 500X an injection of battery power

As part of its push to become fully electric by 2030, Fiat has given the 500X an injection of battery power; but it doesn’t come with a plug: this model is a hybrid, said The Sunday Times. Under the bonnet is the latest version of Fiat’s FireFly turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, plus a small 0.8kWh battery that powers a 15kW motor integrated into a new dual-clutch seven-speed automatic gearbox.

A stylish electrified SUV should be a sure success, but this is not the most comfortable in its class nor the most frugal, with fuel consumption of 46.8mpg compared to 49.6mpg in the mild-hybrid Ford Puma, said Auto Express. 0-62mph takes 9.4 secs, but it’s not responsive enough when you need acceleration, and steering is fairly numb. It’s happiest at lower speeds, and if you go slow enough it will run solely on electric power.

The interior is pretty much unchanged, with the same elevated driving position offering good visibility, What Car? said. There’s lots of head- and legroom up front, but it’s a bit of a squash in the back for three adults; and if you choose the Dolcevita model, headroom is cut in the back by the full-length sunroof. The 7in touchscreen infotainment is intuitive, and manual knobs for air conditioning are refreshingly easy to use. UK price: from £27,585.


A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
October 4 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include the Einstein files, defunding the police, and an odd tribute to Jane Goodall
-
Mustardy beans and hazelnuts recipe
The Week Recommends Nod to French classic offers zingy, fresh taste
-
Under siege: Argentina’s president drops his chainsaw
Talking Point The self-proclaimed ‘first anarcho-capitalist president in world history’ faces mounting troubles
-
Mustardy beans and hazelnuts recipe
The Week Recommends Nod to French classic offers zingy, fresh taste
-
Susie Dent picks her favourite books
The Week Recommends The lexicographer and etymologist shares works by Jane Goodall, Noel Streatfeild and Madeleine Pelling
-
6 incredible homes under $1 million
Feature Featuring a home in the National Historic Landmark District of Virginia and a renovated mid-century modern house in Washington
-
The Harder They Come: ‘triumphant’ adaptation of cinema classic
The Week Recommends ‘Uniformly excellent’ cast follow an aspiring musician facing the ‘corruption’ of Kingston, Jamaica
-
House of Guinness: ‘rip-roaring’ Dublin brewing dynasty period drama
The Week Recommends The Irish series mixes the family tangles of ‘Downton’ and ‘Succession’ for a ‘dark’ and ‘quaffable’ watch
-
Dead of Winter: a ‘kick-ass’ hostage thriller
The Week Recommends Emma Thompson plays against type in suspenseful Minnesota-set hair-raiser ‘ringing with gunshots’
-
A Booker shortlist for grown-ups?
Talking Point Dominated by middle-aged authors, this year’s list is a return to ‘good old-fashioned literary fiction’
-
Fractured France: an ‘informative and funny’ enquiry
The Week Recommends Andrew Hussey's work is a blend of ‘memoir, travelogue and personal confession’