WITH two distinct versions on offer, the all-new Fiat 500X is a crossover not only in terms of vehicle segments but also in terms of potential customers.
One is designed to appeal to those with a fun-loving city lifestyle with Pop, Pop Star and Lounge trim levels, while the other more rugged version, designed with active adventures in mind, comes in Cross and Cross Plus trim.
The 500X is a very important car for Fiat who see it not just as an addition to the 500 family but playing a key role in driving the whole brand forward.
It has echoes of the iconic 1957 original 500, notably with its large circular headlamps, unmistakeable nose and clamshell bonnet, but it has an identity all of its own.
It might have some of the DNA of the baby 500 but it is combined with the most up-to-date technology, engines, transmissions and infotainment systems available today.
Underneath its skin, the 500X isn't really a 500 at all as it shares its platform with the new Jeep Renegade, albeit with softer suspension settings than those needed by its go-anywhere Italian/American cousin.
An all-wheel-drive version of the 500X is available in Cross and Cross Plus trim but Fiat expects 80 per cent of buyers to opt for the front-wheel-drive models. Prices will start at £14,595 rising to £25,845 for the range-topping Cross Plus.
The 500X will be competing in a very crowded, competitive sector. Rivals include the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Ford EcoSport, Vauxhall Mokka, Citroen C4 Cactus, Peugeot 2008 and MINI Countryman.
Fiat reckons 10 per cent of sales will come from existing 500 owners, the rest from conquest sales. In the remainder of this year they expect 10,000 sales, rising to 15,000 in a full year.
Sharing a platform with the Renegade means you can match the all-turbo four cylinder petrol and diesel engines to either a six-speed manual, six-speed dual clutch or, a first in this sector, a nine speed automatic available only in the ultimate all-wheel-drive 140bhp 2.0-litre diesel Cross and Cross Plus.
A fairly tame 'off road' course set up in a farmer's field in north Yorkshire showed the 500X AWD is certainly capable enough to cope with grassy banks and a bit of mud. It offers security when there's a bit of ice and light snow around during the winter but it's not a serious off-roader. Leave that to the Renegade.
Fiat say the 120bhp 1.6-litre turbodiesel will be the most popular in the UK. It's certainly competent enough, even if a bit noisy when accelerating. Zero to 62mph takes 10.5 seconds and it has a top speed of 116mph.
The pick of the bunch for me, however, was the very peppy 1.4-litre petrol which develops 140bhp and 230Nm of torque from 1,750rpm. Top speed is 118mph with 0-62mph taking just 9.8 seconds.
It has real oomph in its character and a 60-mile route, through some of north Yorkshire's best scenery, including some single track roads in Arkengarthdale where if you weren't careful, you could take off over some of the crests in the road. It was pure fun.
The 1.4, which averages 47mpg with CO2 emissions of 139g/km, was agile and eager, the six-speed manual gearbox was slick - the whole set-up is a cracker. In Sport mode the engine even sounded the part although I could have done with a bit more feedback from the road at times.
Three engines are available initially - the 1.4 petrol, the 1.6 120bhp diesel and the flagship 2.0-litre 140bhp turbodiesel which has identical performance figures as the 1.4-litre petrol but mated to the nine-speed automatic gearbox. A 1.6-litre E-Torq petrol with optional stop/start will follow later in the year.
The 500X is a practical family runabout. There's bags of head and legroom inside with a reasonable amount of storage space dotted around the well-fitted cabin. The boot offers 350 litres of luggage space with all seats in place which rises to between 910 and 1,000 litres depending whether you chose a spare wheel or a tyre repair kit.
Visibility out the front and sides is good although the rear window is quite shallow which hampers visibility. Thick pillars don't help either and while the seats are attractive they lack support behind the knees which will make long journeys uncomfortable. The headrest is also very hard.
Ground clearance for the all-wheel-drive version is increased from 162mm to 179mm and it also has protective skid plates to protect it from the 'rigours' of off-road use.
Standard safety kit is good - six airbags, electronic stability control with hill-holder, ABS and traction control, and a tyre pressure monitor are on all models.
Advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, reversing camera and blind spot monitoring are options as is a new Brake Control system which can intervene at speeds up to 120mph to apply emergency braking if the driver doesn't respond to visual and audible warnings.
The system can be switched off but I can't think of any reason why anyone would ever want to do that.