The South African Fiat 500X line-up currently consists of only two variants. Both have six-speed manual gearboxes and 1.4-litre turbocharged engines, which afford the two Fiats a lively 103kW and 230Nm of torque. As a result, the 0-100 km/h sprint is over and done in just under 10 seconds.
Pricing
Fiat 500X 1.4T Pop Star: R345 569
Fiat 500X 1.4T Cross: 375 569
(The flagship Fiat Cross Plus and 1.6-litre entry-level Pop variant are not available new, but you can find used models on AutoTrader.)
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Fiat 500X (May 2019)
Standard safety spec
On the safety side of things, both 500X variants have ABS, EBD, brake assist, an electronic parking brake, hill-start assist, rear-parking sensors, traction and stability control, tyre pressure sensor, and six airbags, daytime running lamps and fog lamps with a cornering function. The spare wheel is full-sized. There are a multitude of optional driver assistants available too, in the form of the Safety, Comfort, and Visibility packs.
Mod-cons for your money
Concerning comfort and convenience features, both models have a long list of kit, including a leather-covered steering wheel, a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, USB/AUX ports, a multi-function steering wheel, start/stop function, cruise control, voice control, electrical side mirrors (with defrosting functionality), air-conditioning with optional dual climate control, a 12V power socket, and a refrigerated storage compartment on the dash. The boot is a class-leading 350 litres that can be stretched to a 1000 litres if you lower the rear seats.
What does the 1.4T Cross have, that the 1.4T Pop Star doesn't?
As the name suggests, the Cross has a more outdoorsy demeanour and therefore looks a little more rugged, thanks to grey roof rails, and off-road front bumpers featuring protective shielding with a metal finish. The rear windows feature privacy glass that also helps to keep the interior cool and protects from UV damage. The Cross features a standard rear spoiler, and its alloy wheels have a more rugged look. On the inside, the dashboard fascia has a matt grey finish, while the Pop Star's dash is body-coloured. You also have a little more freedom to add optional extras in the Cross, such as a rearview camera.
The Cross-variant is also built for slightly more frequent off-roading than the more metropolitan-minded Pop Star model. The Cross variant's "high-strength steel body and MacPherson independent suspension system present extraordinary torsional rigidity, and provide extreme levels of road-holding and driving pleasure", says Fiat. Don't expect full four-wheel drive though, but the Traction+ system on the Cross facilitates the correct torque distribution to the front axles to handle slippery surfaces more efficiently, much like a limited slip differential lock would do.
Both models, however, have a Drive Mood Selector that allows you to select a driving mode. In the Cross, you can choose between Auto, Sport, and Traction, while the Pop Star variant lets you choose between Sport, All-weather and Auto. Remember that both models have traction control as well as stability control, so don't read too much into the Cross's bush-whacking talents. You're not going to go too far off the beaten track with it, we hope.
Verdict
R30 000 is quite a big price difference between the two cars, so if you're not going to be driving dirt roads every day, we suggest you go for the 1.4T Pop Star. It's the best value for money by far.
Download the Fiat 500X brochure here, for more details.
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