Consumer Reports Warns Not to Get Fooled by the 2020 Fiat 500X
“Don’t judge a book by its cover” is a bit of advice that applies to a lot more than just reading material. In the case of the 2020 Fiat 500X, being taken in by its attractive exterior design could lead to disaster later. Kelley Blue Book joins the cautionary tone, adding a lower resale value to its reliability issues. So, what is behind these warnings?
The attractive showroom features of the 2020 Fiat 500X
Before rushing into what is wrong with the 2020 Fiat 500X, let’s take a look at what Fiat has gotten right on this model. It is hard to deny that this car has got the look. According to Consumer Reports, its exterior includes the smooth, aerodynamic flow of classic Italian designs along with urban styling. Looking inside, the 500X has a refined interior with good headroom along with some trendy technologies.
Fiat did well with safety features on this model, receiving positive ratings for rollover and vehicle-to-vehicle front crash tests from IIHS. For crash avoidance, the 500X is well-equipped with driver-assist technologies as standard features.
The capacity to perform is also there on this model, delivering 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque from a 1.3 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, 9-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. Overall, it is difficult to turn away from this car once it catches your eye on the showroom floor.
Consumer Reports reveals problem areas of the Fiat 500X
Tongue in cheek aside, Consumer Reports warns that the 2020 Fiat 500X looks great on the showroom floor, but will become a problem as soon as you drive it off the lot.
Their numbers for Predicted Owner Satisfaction and Predicted Reliability are in the tank, rating one out of five. Comfort and convenience were major issues reported with riding comfort for passengers, road noise and cargo space ranking below average.
Consumer Reports was dissatisfied with the ride.
Consumer Reports delivers a scathing critique related to the stiff ride of the 2020 500X, noting “a dreadful ride that beats you up with stiff shots to your kidneys.”
The review also reports the driving experience as tiring and unsettling, leaving you with a jittery feeling. Road, wind and engine noise added to riding discomfort during the road test, leaving the driver with an overall dissatisfaction.
Additional road test complains
The road test conducted by Consumer Reports revealed an overall lack of responsiveness and smoothness from the transmission with shifting stiffness and a reluctance toward downshifting as another major drawback of the 500X.
Additional complaints included in their review include a grabby brake pedal, an inadequate level of visibility due to a high dashboard, a small rear window, and mediocre headlights (rated as “Poor” by IIHS), and unsupported seats, which likely add to the overall riding discomfort.
Auto critics not impressed with Fiat’s 2020 lineup
Fiat has taken a bashing for its 2020 lineup across the board by auto critics who agree with the assessment of Consumer Reports, ranking the 500X along with its 500L companion as among the worst cars in their class.
However, car critics are not the only ones voicing their displeasure with the 500X. Fiat’s own forum is overloaded with a significant list of issues and concerns with the 500X as well. Because it has taken such a severe beating among critics, buyers will want to check with an abundance of reviews before investing their money in this car.
What’s the solution?
The message communicated by critics to Fiat concerning its 2020 model 500X is essentially, “try again.” Alternatives like the Mini Cooper Countryman would make better options. No one will deny that the 2020 Fiat 500X is one of the most attractive automobiles available in its class. However, the book’s cover does not always reveal the quality and value of its contents, which is also the case with the 500X.
