Before it turns a wheel, the Fiat 500X is hampered by its meagre 1200kg towing limit. That’s some 135kg less than the 85% match figure, and means the Fiat is only suitable for small and light caravans. Careful loading may be needed to avoid exceeding the 60kg noseweight maximum, too.
What the Fiat can tow, it tows reasonably well. It’s secure and stable at 60mph, and we only found a slight tendency to wander at 70mph. It handled the lane-change test with composure, too.
However, the stopping distance of 11.8 metres from 30mph isn’t great, even allowing for the wet track, and steering corrections were necessary for the Fiat to stop in a straight line. The hill-start test was more to the Fiat’s liking, where the combination of an electronic parking brake, an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive worked well.
The Fiat’s cabin offers reasonable passenger space, but the boot is pitifully small: travel light or fit a roof box. The practicality testers were impressed with the reversing camera (very handy if you ever have to hitch up on your own), but otherwise they could find little to praise.
Despite its failings, the Fiat 500X is likeable and stylish. But it’s not a great tow car.
