The 2021 Fiat 500X is the crossover for those who love the retro style of the Fiat 500 but need 4 doors and a boot. Launched in 2014, it shares its chassis and engines with the Jeep Renegade but swaps the boxy look for Italian curves. The 2018/2021 facelifts introduced new LED lights and the efficient FireFly turbo engines, keeping it competitive against the Nissan Juke.

The FireFly engines are small but spirited:

• 1.0L Turbo (3-Cyl): 120 HP. STANDARD A punchy city engine. It sounds thrummy and eager. Manual transmission only in most markets.
• 1.3L Turbo (4-Cyl): 150 HP. The option to have if you want an automatic (DCT). It offers strong overtaking power on the highway.

• Body Color Dash: Like the small 500, the dashboard features a large panel painted in the body color. It brightens up the interior. The 7-inch Uconnect screen supports Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
• Space: Rear legroom is decent for the class, better than a Juke but worse than a Renegade (due to the sloping roof). Boot space is 350 Litres.

• Consumption: 13–15 km/l. The small turbo engines are efficient if not pushed hard.
• Service: It shares mechanicals with the Jeep Renegade. Parts for the FireFly engine are becoming more common, but body parts (bumpers, lights) are unique and can be pricey.
• Resale: It is a niche car in Kenya. Resale is lower than a Japanese equivalent, making it a bargain to buy used.

Urban Crossover: 179mm clearance handles speed bumps well. The suspension is firm (Italian tuning), so it handles corners well but can feel jiggly on corrugated dirt roads. It is not an off-roader like the Renegade Trailhawk.

4-Star Euro NCAP (2015 test). Higher trims come with Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Assist. Reliability has improved with the new FireFly engines compared to the old MultiAir units.

The following are average showroom prices for fresh imports in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret.

Who is this for? The buyer who loves the look of the Fiat 500 but needs a car that fits a small family and shopping. Who is it NOT for? Off-road enthusiasts—despite the "Cross" badge, it is a road car.