The Fiat Lineup And Its Fate
In today’s world, if an automaker wants to survive, it needs to appeal to as many customers as possible. Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Bentley—they’ve all stepped up production in an attempt to stay afloat. The same is true for less elitist brands, too. Hyundai and Kia, for example, now make cars that sell for more than $50,000.
The Car Guide recently hopped over to California to try the Fiat 500X. Yes, even this Italian brand has jumped on the bandwagon and broadened its model lineup.
The 500 was the first in Fiat’s “renewal.” Released in spring 2011, it soon eclipsed its only rival, the smart—at least in many people’s hearts. Its 1.4L engine hasn’t changed a bit and delivers 101 horsepower and 98 lb.-ft. of torque. The 500C, a cute convertible with the same drivetrain, was released a little later. Its sales haven’t even come close to matching the 500’s though.
In 2012, journalists had the chance to try the 500 Turbo. Its 1.4L turbo pumped out 135 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque. A few months later, we welcomed the athletic Abarth to Canada. Opinions about it were divided, with some folks finding it flawless, and others decrying its finicky character. All opinions aside, its 1.4L turbo engine generates 160 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque.
In 2014, Fiat released the 500L in a bid to attract more customers. In my humble opinion, it looks like a Pacer, which is both charming and ridiculous. Using the Abarth’s drivetrain, it offers a less spicy but nonetheless adequate ride for a city car.
In all Fiats (500, Abarth or L), the automatic transmission comes with six speeds while the manual has five.
And now, Fiat has just come out with the 500X, which is essentially a Jeep Renegade with a rounder (and, in my opinion, much nicer) physique. Two engines are on offer. There’s the same 1.4L turbo found in the Abarth and 500L, but its torque has been boosted to 184 lb.-ft. It can only be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. If you want the nine-speed automatic, you’ll have to opt for the 2.4L engine with 180 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. This engine can also be combined with all-wheel drive, offered for the first time on a Fiat.
According to Chrysler Canada, the new Fiat 500X could steal customers away from the 500L. Some people even think that the X intends to stamp out the L, sooner or later. But one thing’s for sure, Fiat’s biggest problem is not the 500L’s sales numbers. The brand seems to lurk at the bottom of the reliability scale, according to Consumer Reports. If this wasn't bad enough for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the group’s four other brands (Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep) occupy the bottom six ranks, just barely ahead of Fiat. As if to prove the point, some of our colleagues at the launch were left in a lurch by a Fiat 500X whose automatic nine-speed transmission was having a bad day.
Let’s hope that as Fiat adds models to its line up, it can avoid adding problems too.
Do you own a Fiat? If so, tell us about your experiences – the good and the bad!