HITTING THE RIGHT NOTE? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Fiat's 500X is arguably at its most desirable in this soft top Dolcevita form. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 26

The Fiat 500X Dolcevita offers something different in the small SUV segment: open-topped motoring. If that appeals, then there's nothing else quite like one of these.

Backgroundword count: 64

Fiat's 500X small SUV needed a unique selling point. Well, this Dolcevita open-topped version has it. There simply isn't another open-topped model in the small Crossover segment. This isn't a proper convertible; instead, as with the Fiat 500 C city car, what you get is what amounts to a huge fabric sunroof, though a very big one, extending the entire surface of the roof.

Driving Experienceword count: 231

Though the 500X is based around Jeep Renegade underpinnings, quite a lot has changed with this car from an engineering perspective in recent times. The Dolcevita range, like that of the fixed-top hatch, is based around a four cylinder 1.5 mild Hybrid engine, which only comes as a DCT auto. This unit puts out 130hp and 240Nm of torque (rest to 62mph in 9.4s) and is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. The propulsion system includes a built-in 48 volt 15kW (20hp) electric motor delivering 55Nm of torque, which can propel the wheels even when the internal combustion engine is turned off. Once underway, you'll find that this 500X Dolcevita does of course go down the road just like the fixed-top version. Which means that the ride's still slightly on the firm side, but that means well managed standard of body roll through the bends, which in turn ought to give you the confidence to explore the decent reserves of traction and agility on offer. Inevitably, anything other than very light off road antics are beyond this 500X model's remit, despite its adventurous styling. 4WD is no longer offered as an option and there's just 162mm of ground clearance. But of course, none of this will bother likely buyers. For them, it'll matter only that this is a faithful interpretation of 500 model line values to a larger family-class car.

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