4x4?
Decent engine?
I may be tempted into a 1.4 if they put some oomph into it but they won't

The problem is that no Fiat ever really has a 4wd system tuned for performance.

The car is on the same platform of the 2015 Jeep Renegade



I know without even seeing the 500x the one I would choose

Got an email from Fiat with a video teaser this afternoon. It gives very little away (about like the promo-photo in the first post). However, based on the camouflage shots featured in the press the photo posted by MJG doesn't look far off at all. Just looks like there'll be more metal between the top of the doors and the roofline than the photo shows.

Undoubtedly easier on the eye than the 500L and more '500' than the L. I have no issue with this being called a 500X as it does appear to have a fair resemblance to the little 500. Just wish they'd called the 500L a Panda instead, as styling wise, that's what the 500L is closer to.

The 500L is a good model in it's own right (I've driven a few), and there are a few on the roads now (no I'm not counting the sea of rental cars), but by calling it 500, to me it's detracted from the qualities of the car. People would've seen the connection to Panda I think, but it's a long way from the 500.

Not sure what the obsession is with the Dacia Duster. It's cheap, and the 500X will undoubtedly be a few thousand more to buy, but they're in a different league. You only really buy a Duster because it's cheap, I can't imagine many people really 'wanting' one. And just this week I read another new article about a customer who's Duster started going rusty with only 200 miles on the clock. Dacia CS weren't overly helpful, Renault Finance rejected the rejection request and in the end the dealer stepped in & offered to swap it for a new Nissan Juke.

Fiat aren't perfect in the customer service department, but compared to the run around this Dacia customer had, my experience of Fiat/Alfa customer care was 5 star. The 500X is more of a Renault Captur/Vauxhall Mokka rival than it is Dacia. And on the subject of SsangYong Korrando - I think they're thoroughly nice looking. Wouldn't look out of place with a Fiat badge. I think Dacia are only doing so well because they had access to a ready made dealer network with Renault.

JTD_Liam said:

Not sure what the obsession is with the Dacia Duster......

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Interesting, who has an obsession with the Dacia Duster?

MJG said:

I suspect its going to command a price premium over the Duster after all most models in that sector are pricier.

I wouldn't necessarily slate the Duster but I think a better alterative to either the 500X or the Duster could be the Sannyoung Korando, especially if you want to tow something as it has a nice torquey 2 litre Diesel and looks great too as it is styled by Giugiaro. If you took the badge of it it would easily pass for a much more 'premium' offering.

http://www.ssangyonggb.co.uk/Korando-Overview?

Badge snobs wont like it though.

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Having had the displeasure of driving a Korando with auto box I very much doubt anyone would like the damn thing. wallowy, unrefined and cheap come to mind as suitable descriptions.

dragonwagon said:

Having had the displeasure of driving a Korando with auto box I very much doubt anyone would like the damn thing. wallowy, unrefined and cheap come to mind as suitable descriptions.

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One man's ass is another's mule.....

dragonwagon said:

Having had the displeasure of driving a Korando with auto box I very much doubt anyone would like the damn thing. wallowy, unrefined and cheap come to mind as suitable descriptions.

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I find these things are often a bit subjective.

I would always test drive a vehicle myself and form my own judgement.

MJG said:

I find these things are often a bit subjective.

I would always test drive a vehicle myself and form my own judgement.

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Agreed and once you've owned/driven a Hillman Avenger, an Allegro, a Austin Metro and a Vauxhall Viva, you'll soon come to realise that most modern vehicles produced today will never be as poor as offerings doled out in the 1970's! :devil:

frupi said:

Interesting, who has an obsession with the Dacia Duster?

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The press, several forum members on here, the general public. It's priced well, but so what? It's just a cheap car.

JTD_Liam said:

The press, several forum members on here, the general public. It's priced well, but so what? It's just a cheap car.

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Lol! I was just pulling your leg...I mentioned it because it seems to be in the same sort of size bracket and I can see the appeal the Dacia might have for many. As it is, I see loads of Dacia's on the road these days, mainly due to the fact I spend nearly 5 hours a day driving.

I believe the Dacia's are made in Chennai, India. I had no idea about the Renault/Nissan partnership until I read about it.

frupi said:

Lol! I was just pulling your leg...I mentioned it because it seems to be in the same sort of size bracket and I can see the appeal the Dacia might have for many. As it is, I see loads of Dacia's on the road these days, mainly due to the fact I spend nearly 5 hours a day driving.

I believe the Dacia's are made in Chennai, India. I had no idea about the Renault/Nissan partnership until I read about it.

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Oh it's ok, I could see your point! It is a lot of car for the price, and is the perfect car for the thousands of people who want a new car but don't care a great deal about what they drive. I just think if it weren't for them being in most of the Renault dealers, they wouldn't be as popular.

Plus, looking at the tales of woe regarding rust on RHD versions (LHD ones are built in Romania & don't have the same issue) I think I'd rather buy an 18 month old 500L or Renault Captur rather than muck about with a Duster!

The new car : http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/paris-motor-show/fiat-500x-crossover-gets-early-debut-leaked-pictures-updated

....disappointed TBH

Agreed, looks ugly, and nothing like the 500. Son, I am disappoint.

FIAT needs to stop diluting the 500 brand, it's embarrassing.

Agree, nothing to get excited about and pretty ugly. The 500 front end design doesn't take kindly to being stretched and squashed to fit every new car Fiat decide to make. Renault Captur looks much nicer.

Looks better then a Lardy if I'm honest.

I've got to be honest the back reminds me of another car...

Looks good I reckon. Much more '500' than the 500L and with echo's of the Sedici that it's replacing.

I do like the Captur equally, but the interior quality feels poorer than the 500L so I suspect the X will feel equally better.

Also, it looks like Fiat are going to do a 4x4 version and offer notably more powerful engines than the TCe & DCi Renault have in the Captur.

If Fiat keep it priced reasonably close to the Renault and 500L at the bottom of the range, they could do ok I think.