Good evening all

I’ve been having a look at upgrading the 500 to a 500x mainly due to the family expanding in June this year. Quite like that the 500x still retains the 500 looks and is a lot sleeker than that awful 500L (no offence to those who own one!) and the pre reg/used ones seem good value compared to its rivals.

Have been eyeing the petrol 1.0 and 1.6 with manual gearbox, but seems the 1.0 is more economical and powerful than the 1.6.

Anyone can share their experiences on these two engines?

And any other must have options?

Thanks !

Despite it being a 'bigger' engine, the 1.6 e-Torq is an older entry level engine. They've sold quite a few of these from when the 500x went into production in 2015 so I'm sure someone will be able to advise on these.

However the 1.0 FireFly 120 is a new engine, only launched last year in the facelifted 500x, so chances are you'll only be able to get one on a 2018 '68 plate' onwards, perhaps the odd '18 plate'. I've not seen anyone post on here to say they have one of these yet, but they get good reviews in the automotive press - Fiat don't tend to get glowing reports in car magazines so it must be a pretty decent engine to manage this. The engine replaced the 1.4 MultiAir 140 engine, of which there are a lot of owners on here.

Thanks! Have seen there’s a 1.3 firefly as well, I guess best option is to test drive it!

I’ve got the 1.4 multi air. I love it. Nicest car I’ve owned.

We’ve just replace our 1.6 diesel with a 1.0 firefly. It’s a decent enough engine and not lacking in power, just taking me a bit of getting used to driving a petrol. Feels very nippy around town and my occasional extra-urban/rural commute.

The computer wants you in 6th gear cruising at 40mph where the diesel was comfortably 5th - no idea if this is normal or not for a petrol as I’ve never owned one before, but the quick motorway stretch home from the dealer felt a little laboured.

Out of interest we’re on 32mpg after ~130miles. Diesel lifetime average was 38mpg over 36k.

The 1.3 is an automatic only from what I understand.

We had a 1.0T Firefly 500X Cross Plus last week whilst my diesel Giulietta was in Alexanders of Thornaby on Tees having some work done.
I was pretty impressed with the one litre 3 cylinder turbo motor. The turbo gives plenty of torque and easily enough power to get along nicely. Little in the way of turbo lag so I didn't feel that it was necessary to worry that there is no diesel available. It did not feel that the 1.3T was essential. The ride, steering, brakes, seats, space, comfort and quietness were all good. Good 6 speed gearbox. The speed warnings, lane straying detection warning worked ok. Well worth a test drive.

My Wife's 500X is the 1.6 MJ - only the second Diesel we have ever had. Quite impressed by the performance especially in SPORT mode.

We have a 2016 multiair 1.4 170hp auto AWD. It's happy around town and on the motorway.

Bought it as my wife only drives automatics and the 4WD which has been useful in the bad weather.

Can be lively if you push on hard or in Sport

I thought the UK only got the full 4WD and Auto as the 2.0?

I've just traded my 500X 1.6 e-torq in, after almost 2 years and 27000 miles. I liked the engine, and there were other positives about the car and nothing went wrong, BUT... I just couldn't live with the anti-stall or whatever it is. The car was a pain to drive in heavy traffic - you either wait until the car in front is some way off and then lift the clutch to move forward, or it feels like you're riding the clutch to stop the car lurching forward. It's not the lightest clutch either. So I'd recommend a test drive in the rush hour! If that's what manual cars are like nowadays, I'm done with them.


That was Fiat number 9 for me, and the only one that has actually grown to annoy me. Number 10 is my third 500 Dualogic (10 years after the first!) and it was a huge relief to get into it.

I have the e-torq 1.6 petrol from new , now 25k. returns average 42.1 mpg based on car computer readout since new. I do town. motorway and hills and dales. Very happy customer so far!
This engine has bad press amongst some forum members but it works fine for me. Obviously more bhp would be an advantage but the price is unbeatable.

I dont understand the previous post re 'anti-stall' .

500x 1.6 diesel here, as of today I am at 45k miles with 46.3 mpg (6.1 lt/100km), mixed driving.

The entire family loves this car. I only wish it had a softer suspension...

The "anti-stall" referred to above in manual cars causes the revs to rise to around 1000rpm as the clutch is raised. This allows you to gently pull away without touching the throttle, which I actually found very useful when maneuvering the 500X at low speed, or creeping forward in traffic. Many cars have this fitted now, although not the Hyundai which replaced my 500X, which I kept stalling initially! My wife's 500C has it.

Yes our MJ is firm but its probably the 18" Cross Plus alloys that don't help the ride...... Worth it for the aesthetics though in my book. Have to say the 500X seats are super comfy as well though!

Nello said:

Yes our MJ is firm but its probably the 18" Cross Plus alloys that don't help the ride...... Worth it for the aesthetics though in my book. Have to say the 500X seats are super comfy as well though!

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I don't know if it's my imagination or not but since I put Michelin Cross Climates on the ride seems more comfortable

Nello said:

I thought the UK only got the full 4WD and Auto as the 2.0?

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No mine is a 1.4 multi air with the 9 speed auto. The 4wd is great in bad weather and holds the road well. Unfortunately Fiat have discontinued the 4wd in the UK due to low sales though it is still available elsewhere (basically being a Jeep anyway)

DGPunto said:

No mine is a 1.4 multi air with the 9 speed auto. The 4wd is great in bad weather and holds the road well. Unfortunately Fiat have discontinued the 4wd in the UK due to low sales though it is still available elsewhere (basically being a Jeep anyway)

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Our old 4x4 Sedici was brilliant in the snow. We used to live down a private 1/2 mile drive through a field which was never cleared - never got stuck once - unlike the M-class that I had to help pull out once! :slayer:

Alanw47 said:

I don't know if it's my imagination or not but since I put Michelin Cross Climates on the ride seems more comfortable

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Thats good to know Alan - I'm going for them next......