So, sold the 500X. A little sad, really enjoyed it. Great car. Owned it for about 6-7 months, did about 5,000 miles. Spent most of its time in South of France. It was the Cross Plus 4x4 2.0l diesel in Magnetic Bronze. I bought it 2nd hand from a dealer, one year old with 2,400 miles on it.

I was/am a new driver (full license 3 years), though have had a motorcycle license for over 25 years and the 500X really helped my car driving confidence. it was very easy to drive and park, not too powerful (140HP) and relaxing to drive medium to long distances. It felt confident in the snow on summer tyres. Luggage space was very good, was surprised at how much I could stuff in there. I also found it very comfortable for long and short journeys.

Not 100% sure of the MPG as I was in France and was doing 9-10l per 100km, but that was a lot of stop-start traffic. Travel to and from work was around 10km but had 16 roundabouts, I'm sure it would've been better on a more normal commute. Didn't check when I was driving it back in the UK.

Bit's I didn't like, AirCon never worked, which made the 900+ mile trip to the SoF sweaty in 27 deg! Fiat were happy to fix it under warranty though. Start/Stop, I turned it off because if you were turning and had to stop, e.e. someone crossing in front of you, when it restarted the steering wheel would twitch violently, like it's trying to centre. Weird. Headlights, the dash dimmed and brightened depending on the light levels, but the headlamps weren't auto, don't know if this was an optional extra that wasn't specified but seems strange that it wasn't included. Sound system was a little weak, but definitely usable, I suppose the Beats would be much better.

I thought the Cross+ was the top spec one, but it was missing things I thought it would come with like auto-lights, folding mirrors, auto wipers. My centre storage box didn't have the USB connector, though all the Cross+ came with that. Satnav was a little off, took me down a one way street in France, luckily it was 6am and few cars around.

Anyway, overall, I really liked and enjoyed the car, but I'm doing 75 miles a day now on the M25 and the wife wanted me to have something with more safety features. My local dealer (Ancaster, Catford), who I didn't buy the car from, were very good. We use them for the Panda and my wifes Abarth Rivale and they've been very helpful and friendly.

If my circumstances change in the future and I had to get a new car, I would seriously consider it again. Hope this helps anyone considering buying a 500X.

Still got my Panda 4x4, so won't be leaving the forum

- Colin

Sorry if this is a stupid question, did you use headlight converters in france and if so were they easy to position

The headlights on the 500X just dip straight down, not to the left which would be a problem on the continent. As the beam only goes up and down no converters are needed. Also there is no control on the headlamp to change dipping, just the beam height control on the dash.

chenry said:

I thought the Cross+ was the top spec one, but it was missing things I thought it would come with like auto-lights, folding mirrors, auto wipers. My centre storage box didn't have the USB connector, though all the Cross+ came with that.

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Sounds a bit like an upspecced Cross like mine. I have the comfort pack added which adds a centre console/ keyless/ electric lumbar, but there is no USB in the centre console.

Alboreto said:

Sorry if this is a stupid question, did you use headlight converters in france and if so were they easy to position

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I did, and no, they weren't but they seemed to work OK. I forgot to put them on initially, though that was a bonus when SatNav took me down the one way street the wrong way, the beams showed me the terrified faces of the oncoming drivers!

- Colin

chenry said:

I thought the Cross+ was the top spec one, but it was missing things I thought it would come with like auto-lights, folding mirrors, auto wipers. My centre storage box didn't have the USB connector, though all the Cross+ came with that.
- Colin

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You need the Visibility Pack to add the Auto Lights/Wipers....... The Cross Plus should have a USB connector though its on the lower dash below the Heater controls (on UK cars it is anyway.)