2019 Fiat 500X - A Crossover with the X-FACTOR ? (UK Press Launch Drive)

I was invited to attend the UK Press Drive of the brand new 2019 Fiat 500X. Re-styled body, superb new engine options and fantastic safety features...is that enough to give this funky new crossover the X-Factor ?
Thanks to Fiat UK for the invite. It was great to drive the car in stunning scenery and enjoy amazing Italian hospitality.
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[@mattylf1]

Good honest review. The car will sell well as it ticks a lot of boxes as a family car. Looks like a fun day out. Glad you getting these sorts of reviews to bring to the channel. 👍

[@PetrolPed]

It sure was a fun day in a fun little car :-)

[@russellclark1978]

Thanks Pete, great video. I think this 500x looks like a great car. Love the darkish metallic green I saw in some of the footage. I'm very jealous of the pizza and pasta you had!! :)

[@PetrolPed]

I was VERY good pizza :-)

[@amardizz821]

I really liked this video. I owned a 63 reg Mini S, after 19 months I bought a Abarth 595 Competizione, really happy with the car. FIAT improved a lot in the last 10 years.

[@idrisdevon9013]

a tip : you can watch movies on KaldroStream. Been using them for watching loads of movies these days.

[@jeremiasjustus383]

@Idris Devon Yup, have been using kaldrostream for since november myself :)

[@ginggur17]

Colour makes or breaks a car indeed. Great review Thankyou.

[@peterthwaites5891]

Great to be invited along with you Pete... As an Abarth 595 owner myself i adore the 500`s both new and old but just as with the modern Mini`s i cant get along with the styling of these larger versions, they may be very good cars but they just look wrong to me..

[@PetrolPed]

They seem to divide opinion :-)

[@frazertait8162]

Another great video Peter. Keep up the great work!

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Frazer :-)

[@RogerBaileyOnCars]

These vid edits are really good, music et all an immersive watch - I'm thinking I need a pizza

[@PetrolPed]

Mmm...pizza !

[@geofo60]

As always Peter, an honest review & I’m pleased you “got it” with the Countryman. Mine’s just a year old & it’s been a gem, although I have to say I’m glad I kept the JCW for the weekends, when I need to feel 20 again !! What a beautiful piece of England, Cheddar Gorge is to drive through. Do I like the new Fiat ? I’m not commenting until I get a closer look, seems my opinion on a previous video was a tad contentious and received a snide reply by someone who clearly doesn’t know my background. Thanks for taking us along & look forward to seeing what you have for us next. Cheers Geof

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Geof. They hold up well to scrutiny up close and drive nicely. It certainly seems to be a car that divides opinion :-)

[@stevecoulter587]

Very professional road test & video editing.

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers Steve. Thanks for the feedback :-)

[@nosleeppete5146]

I know that I maybe going against the grain of popular opinion but I quite like the look of this better than the original 500. Not so with the Mini Countryman and original Mini though. I'd probably consider one of these if they did a slightly more powerful engine than the 1.3. Enjoyed the video - well filmed and put together nicely. Cheers bud.

[@PetrolPed]

Wow, thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@neilbarden9430]

Really enjoyed that. Like you it's not a car I'd be buying, but a cool and characterful thing nonetheless. Looking forward to the Abarth ...

[@PetrolPed]

I'm enjoying the Abarth already ;-)

[@philipparkes5079]

Hi Ped Another excellent video. Not the car I would buy but I think Fiat have done a better job in growing the 500 than Mini with their larger variants. It would also appear that the appealing character of the 500 has not been lost. Looking forward to your next video and hopefully see Petrol Pooch, she has been missed!

[@PetrolPed]

I'll ask her agent to see if she can make an appearance in the Abarth review ;-)

[@stellasmith2405]

I had a new 1st gen ,was a great car! Love your back catalogue pp.👍

[@PetrolPed]

Great that you are looking back. This was a great day 👍

[@davidnettleton6525]

Just bought a 19 plate 3 cylinder firefly on the back of this review! Your rite about the engine it’s really ballsy for its size👍🏻

[@PetrolPed]

That is great to hear 👍

[@terryboy1235]

In a crazy way kinda looks like a Bentley bentaga to me obviously far cheaper & no where near as glamorous but a really nice funky looking car ,another great review Ped👍🏻 looking forward to your next one.

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

TERRYBOY 123 - Bentley Bentaga!!?? :-\... I've got a voucher for Specsavers if you're interested? :-))..

[@MauriceNL1]

it looks like 10 procent like a Bentley Bentaga from the side tho

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

MauriceNL - Hahaha... I see where this is going. 10% = 2 doors, 2 wheels, 2 tyres, bonnet, tailgate, roof and it's painted...!? That's gotta be 15% Bentley Bentaga, surely? :-)).. Drop the 2 doors down to one, and it's an E-Type? Awesome... :-)) PS - You do realise I'm just having a joke, don't you? :-\..

[@crowthorne1]

I have 2018 model great car, underated

[@PetrolPed]

I loved it. Great fun to drive 👍

[@zvakaca30]

Nice video man, hello from croatia

[@PetrolPed]

WOW...Hi Croatia :-)

[@hw80boy]

Thanks nice review 👏

[@PetrolPed]

My pleasure 👍

[@TEACHER0786]

Great vlog

[@PetrolPed]

Cheers :-)

[@yvesklein669]

Great review Ped! I understand the ethos behind the 500x's design. It's design form isn't appealing to me, but I definitely see a growing segment of drivers, who want value, efficiency, ergonomics, safety and practicality over traditional automobile design. It seems more and more people want a small, fuel efficient, all-wheel drive cars, with five doors. I can't fault a manufacturer, for wanting to have a stake in that segment. To be profitable, they must follow market trends. Even Ferrari is building an SUV! Like the Senna, the near future of cars, might be function over form. Design style is an evolution. Like many brands, Fiat's aren't for everyone. But hey, somebody's buying 'em.👍

[@PetrolPed]

Great comment Buddy...right on point :-)

[@Countrystock]

Rode up cheddar gorge on my bike last weekend. I think this fiat looks brilliant and am very tempted in getting one. Are they gonna do an Abarth version???? That would be perfect for me. Great video.........Nice one ☝️

[@PetrolPed]

Not sure about the Abarth version. Gotta love Cheddar on a bike !

[@littlebigjohn69]

ive got a 2017 and i love it

[@PetrolPed]

They are great little cars :-)

[@giovanniforciniti689]

Bellissima auto ☺️ 500x cross 1.6 perfetta

[@bryanstrange7094]

Another nice video and a good review (as always). Very interesting precisely because this is not the kind of vehicle I'd go anywhere near, so I get to see what I've been missing. It's the styling based on something that it absolutely isn't that troubles me, as indeed it does with Minis the size of small vans. Loved the reference to the 'village' of Wells. I guess the residents of Wells are more tolerant than Tesla owners since the comments section isn't drowned in irate "Wells is a city" exclamations. :-)

[@PetrolPed]

I've been pulled up on that one a few times already ;-)

[@StefABtv]

Looked like a good day out. Love a bit of cheddar gauge

[@PetrolPed]

It was begging for a bit of drone work but I've lost my charging cable ;-)

[@deanscorpio]

Good video, but no real world mpg figures whilst you have it out on a good run. Was hoping for these on the 1L firefly engine being so new to Fiat

[@ginggur17]

Hmmmmm not sure. Liked ya lil Abarth more, although I appreciate these are two different cars, with the same basic ingredients. It’s a bit different to my first car, a Fiat 127, I loved that 1050cl car lol. I called it Joe.

[@ronmccullock1407]

Superb review and video, did you get any freebies to take home?

[@PetrolPed]

Just some chocolate coffee beans ;-)

[@lydiagould3090]

Ha -ha, sounds like you had a great time. Those pizzas looked wonderful.! Good job you weren`t testing the baby 500! Funky little car, but I`ve never got over the enlarging of the Mini. They are following the US trend of catering for the Obese.I`d go for the larger engine, Did you get a 0-60 out of it (yes you might have had to get on the M5 with a tow for that!!)

[@PetrolPed]

I didn't do a 0-60 but it was no slouch ;-)

[@robertvanempel5810]

Another car with indicator on the left of the steering wheel. We had both at one stage and it was annoying. How do you feel about that?.

[@PetrolPed]

I've had cars with both too and agree it can be annoying at times ;-)

[@ryandavid2770]

Looks fun and functional. Probably better for me than the current Citroen C3. Thoughts? Must sit in the same part of the market?

[@PetrolPed]

Not driven the C3, but I would put them in the same segment. Worth a look that's for sure ;-)

[@johnhall4917]

What's your opinion on the Toyota C-HR, Pete? It'd be great if you could get your hands on one for a test drive.

[@PetrolPed]

Not driven one yet. Not too sure of it's looks !

[@richardearth2848]

Although not my thing either think it looks great. My 17 yr old daughter would love it looking foward to the abarth however.

[@PetrolPed]

It's a car with a definite target market. If you are not in that then it's a NO !

[@joshbacon8241]

Why is the 500X no longer offered with four wheel drive in the UK?

[@PetrolPed]

Not sure to be honest :-(

[@joshbacon8241]

Well, yesterday I saw a review of the new 500X on Auto Express’ website and it said that the decision to take the four wheel drive version off sale in the UK was due to poor sales.

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

113th view and 9th comment. That the start of the video, you got me... The exoticly named Hotel Du Vin. Palm trees. Cobbled road. Even some Al fresco dining tables and chairs. I was thinking, "Pete's done alright here. He's gotta be in Southern France? Maybe even in Spain?". And then you said BRISTOL!! Jeezzz. I feel conned now :-((... I suppose the drops of rain on the windscreen should have given me a hint!!?? :-((... How can a breakfast be beautiful if it doesn't include a FULL English? I did the Cheddar Gorge, Wells trip a few weeks ago. It was slightly warmer when I did it. About 20 degrees warmer!!! :-)) And... Back to the FIAT. Why did they only put in half an engine? 1 ltr. 3 cylinders!!?? What's all that about? :-((... Though a 3 ltr, 1 cylinder engine would have been... Interesting... :-))... And Fiat are trying to do what Mini have done (As you mentioned.)? But they have one major drawback. Mini's have a German build quality. 500's have Italian... Enough said!! But like the Mini Countryman and this huge 500X, give me the Mini 3 door hatchback and the normal sized 500 (Not that I'd ever buy a Fiat!) for looks anyday over their bigger brethren. There are two points I noted. @13:50 into the video, did you not indicate to turn right, really, really late? :-\... And. Where was your 0 to 60 test!!?? :-((... Or was doing a 0 to 60 going to extend this video for far too long? :-))... Hahahaha...... Great video again. :-)))...

[@nvl2691]

The Zanzibarbarian whoa

[@PetrolPed]

Another short and concise comment there Buddy ;-) A late indicate and no opportunity for a 0-60 :-(

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

Petrol Ped - It took me longer to write my comment than it did watching this video... :-\...

[@octaneparker6200]

Who is the music by ? really enjoyed.

[@PetrolPed]

I get it from Epidemic Sound. A great choice of different genres and all royalty free :-) Tried to go for an Italian feel with this one.

[@darrenhillman8396]

Another great review, Peter. Like others, I’m not a fan of ‘steroidal enlargements’ to existing models (as with the R56 Mini and the Fiat 500), but accept that whilst there is a market demand, the manufacturers will do their utmost to fill it. But why didn’t they call it a Fiat 700 or 900? Equally the bulbous Mini should have been christened “Maxi”. No way is it a Mini! I digress. I know someone who has the original version of the 500X and he absolutely loves it, so it is a bit of a Marmite car for me, and it isn’t something I’d buy. I do like the (small) 500 and I am very much looking forward to your Abarth review. But will one be the Ruby Replacement...? 🤔

[@PetrolPed]

No that Darren is the big question ;-) I nearly bought and Abarth 500 the year before I bought Ruby :-)

[@robertsmuggles6871]

cool

[@jonscoupe]

Superb review Peter as usual. Fiat appear to have tried very hard with this car, but I think if I was in the market for one of these urban crossovers, I would probably go for a Mini countryman cos I think they look better and appear to be better built. Cheers, Jon.

[@geofo60]

jonscoupe My Countryman S is just a year old & is the first “Big MINI” I have owned ( had six others, kept the JCW for weekends), it’s been totally trouble free, as have all of the others, great after sales service. Not for everyone but it ticked all my boxes. I won’t comment on the new Fiat crossover until I give it a closer look.

[@PetrolPed]

Country Cooper S is a cracking motor :-)

[@klasseact6663]

I guess the refresh is a launch, sorry, a little confused😂

[@jameschapman4824]

Hi Pete. Good video as always but I have to be a bit pedantic. Wells is a CITY not a VILLAGE. Sorry about that I don't normally pick up people on things like that said in vlogs but some of your viewers may not know the place.

[@PetrolPed]

Oops...sorry. Never been there before and didn't realise that was a Cathedral and not a Church. In my defence it did look more like a village green :-) Thanks for the correction.

[@jameschapman4824]

No problem. I just thought I would mention it for the benefit of the thousands of your viewers that didn't know, especially the overseas viewers.

[@raymondhunt6109]

Ray Hunt Prefer the look of the Small 500 same with Minis

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

Raymond Hunt - Ditto that. Not that I'd ever buy a Fiat (I drive a Cooper S, 3 door hatchback!).

[@PetrolPed]

Me too...but I still think this looks funky :-)

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

@Nigel Rowe - We were discussing the new model of the 3 door mini and 500 over their current larger brethren. Not the cars of 40+ years ago. And we were also talking about looks. Which are subjective. Seems that Raymond Hunt and myself are of the same opinion. We prefer the "smaller" 3 door versions to the newer, bigger 5 door versions. If YOU prefer the look of bigger cars, then good for you. We don't. And as for "old Mini's" in the '60's and '70's. I remember them fondly. I drove enough of them. But I've never driven a Fiat 500. I was/am a Mini fan. But that's not to say I don't dislike the Fiat, I just prefer the Mini. So where is the contradiction?

[@irelmo69]

I think you'll find Wells is a city. 👍

[@PetrolPed]

I've had that pointed out already. My bad...sorry ;-)

[@irelmo69]

@@PetrolPed easily done. I did scan down to see if anyone else commented but didn't see. Nice film though keep up the great content 👍

[@ginggur17]

You’ve made me hungry! Ok, except I’m in bed!

[@PetrolPed]

LOL !

[@1BLUEMEANIE]

Great Colour But just a little bit on the large size and has lost its character Loved the interior . I would have loved to slice that Fiat Pizza 🍕 up😁👍🏁🏁

[@PetrolPed]

I was tempted :-)

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

Firs... Fir... Fi... F... Aw, fuck it!! :-))

[@klasseact6663]

How are you guys just getting this now, LOL🇺🇸

[@francoisg3500]

First

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

thespeedmachine_35 - Go away speedyfingers_35... But not in this Fiat 500X. It would take too long :-))

[@dickiemcvitie1752]

Well done. I was poised and ready at 6pm waiting for the vlog to upload!! Had to empty the bladder and cook tea at 6:15.. Maybe next time..

[@PetrolPed]

BOOM !

[@PetrolPed]

LOL !

[@johns14a]

HDV Bristol, yes please, lovely place. Fiat 500X, no thanks, utterly pointless. Hired one in Sicily earlier this year and felt about it much the same way you felt about that X-Trail you had in NZ.

[@PetrolPed]

LOL !

[@michellehennessey5101]

first

[@PetrolPed]

Nearly ;-)

[@paullovesey4863]

I know 3 people who have these and are all less than 1 year old. One has had to have 2 engine mounts changed One has had a central locking fault resulting in a complete system change including key fob The other has had an air conditioning fault and coolant fault. Each car owner has experienced very poor service from 2 different main dealers and also witnessed another couple, whilst at the dealer, being told of a fault with their 3 month old car that will be repaired under warranty - we don’t have a courtesy car at the moment.....”there’s a bus stop outside”. I’m sorry - but you can keep this piece of 💩 Thumbs up for your video Pete - pity about the car

[@PetrolPed]

Sorry to hear that :-(

[@exwhyz33]

The big question is about reliability of this Italian baby - history is not on their side.

[@AdrianRichmond1]

I thought this was a car review not a video about your jolly! Nothing much about the ride, load space or seating. Disappointed.

[@PetrolPed]

Sorry you were disappointed. Never intended to be a pure review as those are difficult to put together on an event like this 😪

[@ryandavid2770]

That’s a lot of dosh for a Fiat!!

[@johnnywires943]

you wait about a year and a half and you will get mucho cheaper.that is when you buy these cars.they are the same as some french motors.good to buy in about 2 years old.you get them for a load of less money and to be fair they are not that bad a car.

[@technohamster4783]

Personally I don't see the point of these cars but people seem to like them however I wouldn't even get to the inside because I would have to stab my eyes out with how ugly this thing is..ewww

[@PetrolPed]

Not a fan then :-)

[@wordreet]

Ugly! 0:18 I'm typing my exact reactions as I pause the video. 0:20 frog. Sorry mate, but I stopped the vid at 1:28 I absloutely adore the modern Fiat 500 and, of course, the original. And these swollen versions are quite repulsive to my eyes. As far as I'm concerned Fiat have shot themselves in the foot!

[@PetrolPed]

It not for everyone ;-)

[@Ryan_P]

I know they’re mostly doing it for the money, but I’ve just can’t stand the “embiggened” small cars. Just leave them as compact sporty city cars. As soon as they add an extra set of doors the cars just look all wrong.

[@PetrolPed]

Just expanding into other markets with the family look. It's clear some people aren't big fans of that !

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

They are in the business of selling cars, so why wouldn’t they milk their best selling car for everything they can, you may not like it, I don’t like it, but if it sells and is what people want, why wouldn’t they make it?

[@alanbutterfield8057]

Hi Peter, firstly a great video but as for the car it's a NO I have never been a fan of Fiat and never will if I won this car in some competition I would drive it to a cliff edge and push the peace of S*&*T over and clap my hands in celebration LOL. Truly Alan B

[@PetrolPed]

WOW...not a fan then ;-)

[@alanbutterfield8057]

what ever give you that idea LOL

[@bigteddy66]

@@alanbutterfield8057 so you've never driven one then.

[@alanbutterfield8057]

@@bigteddy66 I have never been a fiat fan as the build quality is terrible and they simply will never be on my wish list . I will never drive a Fiat as not a fan of any French cars as they always have problems and break down. Cheers Alan B. P.S I stand by my original comment and that won’t change ( EVER )……

[@bigteddy66]

@@alanbutterfield8057 (1) they are not French (2)the build quality is absolutely fine (3) it's very rude to judge what you know nothing about. (you can't know if you don't own). Where are you from?