Fiat recently announced some updates to two of its most practical models, the most extensive being an exterior and interior mid-cycle refresh for the 500L subcompact hatchback, and the other a rather late in the year yet particularly attractive new Urbana Edition styling package for the brand’s most popular 500X subcompact SUV.
The 500L already has one of the more appealing interiors in the subcompact sector, but unfortunately the outgoing model’s unorthodox exterior design never found much favour with Canadian consumers. Therefore Fiat has given it a refresh including new front and rear fascias. Most noticeable is the simplified upper grille and reworked lower bumper cap, the latter featuring additional black trim with more chrome and a sportier air intake just below. Reshaped door panel sculpting with new body side mouldings continues the revisionist theme rearward, ending in a modernized rear bumper cap with chrome edged horizontal reflectors at each corner.
Inside, a renewed primary gauge cluster is framed by a sportier steering wheel that incorporates a smaller and therefore more visually appealing airbag enclosure, while the centre stack benefits from FCA’s updated Uconnect 4 infotainment system boasting standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus just below a new climate control interface improves aesthetics and functionality. Lastly, Fiat has played musical chairs with its shift lever and cupholders for better ergonomics.
No doubt the Italian brand hopes these changes will increase 500L sales, which ended Q3 2017 amongst the slowest for any vehicle in Canada at just 40 units. In comparison, the 500X’ 846 deliveries over the same nine months make it a runaway success, despite dropping behind the Mini Countryman for lowest Canadian subcompact SUV volume.
To help boost its popularity Fiat now offers a 500X Urbana Edition, which spiffs up the design with new Miron (Metallic Iron) black and copper colour accents.
“The Fiat 500X combines iconic Italian style with functionality, performance and all-wheel-drive confidence,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Car Brands – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA – North America. “The new Fiat 500X Urbana Edition takes our top-selling Trekking trim, best known for its rugged exterior and interior appearance, and adds unique content with black and copper accents to create a fresh new personality option for our customers.”
Available in four exterior colours including Grigio Graphite (graphite grey), Blue Sky Metallic, Bianco Gelato (white clear coat), and Nero Cinema (black clear coat), the sporty Miron gloss black paint adds contrast to the front and rear fascias, 18-inch alloys, mirror caps, door handles, side sill mouldings, liftgate bezel, and taillight surrounds, while the backend 500X badge and wheel centre caps are finished in the copper colour. Lastly, Fiat blackens the headlamp surrounds before topping off the little SUV with matte black side roof rails.
The classy theme continues inside, with the radio and vent bezels finished in the glossy Miron black, plus a black textured instrument panel highlighted by a copper 500 logo ahead of the front passenger, as well as copper thread used for a set of embroidered 500 logos on the otherwise black Castiglio chevron-patterned fabric seats.
The Urbana Edition adds $795 to 500X Trekking trims in both FWD and AWD, resulting in $29,540 for the former and $33,235 for the latter, plus freight and fees.
Incidentally, the base 500X is competitively priced from $23,245 in base Pop trim, while addition 500X trims include Sport and Lounge.
Fiat has yet to update its retail website with information about the new Urbana Edition package or include it within their “Build & Price” configuration tool, so contact your dealer to see if they have any available. As for the 2018 500L, Fiat is still showing 2016 and 2017 models on their site, but they will likely offer 2018 information soon.