Best New Cars Under $30,000: 2023 Fiat 500X

Fun to drive, loaded with up to 75 advanced safety and security features, 9-speed automatic transmission, standard all-wheel drive, rated at a fuel-sippping 30mpg highway, snazzy styling details – and all wrapped in a package under $30,000. What’s not to love.

The 2023 Fiat 500X gets top billing from Cars.com on its Affordability Report: 2023 Best Value New Cars for these features and more.

The iconic little car from Italy is alternately described as a subcompact SUV and small crossover. Whatever. It means its cargo space is limited – just with just 14 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 32 they’re folded, according to Car and Driver

It features a 1.3-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine with engine stop-start (ESS) technology and best-in-class torque for improved performance and fuel economy, delivering 177 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque.

Standard Safety Systems

Safety and security standards include features not often included at this price – including –

adaptive cruise control,
automated emergency braking,
forward collision warning with full stop,
blind-spot monitoring,
lane-keeping assist,
automatic high-beam headlights.

For information about the 500X’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Trim Levels

The 2023 Fiat 500X is easy – there are just two trim levels – Pop and Sport. And there’s not much difference between the two.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Fiat offers solid limited warranty coverage, but the 500X’s powertrain warranty is skimpy by Car and Driver standards.

Most rivals offer five-year or 60,000-mile coverage, while the Kona tops the class with its 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain guarantee.

Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles

In early 2024, FIAT brand will launch the globally popular Fiat 500e, the first Stellantis battery-electric-vehicle offering in North America. No price has been announced yet.

The Fiat 500X is manufactured in Melfi, Italy.

“In 2023, consumers are expected to be more cautious when spending money on larger items. Cars.com‘s Best Value New Car report helps car shoppers find vehicles that have the technology and features they need and that won’t blow their budget. The 2022 Fiat 500X Pop is one of the small SUVs that would be a good option for shoppers who want the convenience of an SUV without the high price tag,” says Jane Ulitskaya, Cars.com editor, in a press release received by ecoXplorer.

FIAT Brand

FIAT brand celebrates more than 120 years as an automaker and some things haven’t changed. Head-turning Italian design and the ultimate fun-to-drive factor come standard with every FIAT.

In early 2024, FIAT brand will launch the globally popular Fiat 500e, the first Stellantis battery-electric-vehicle offering in North America.

FIAT is part of the portfolio of brands offered by leading global automaker and mobility provider Stellantis.

For more information regarding Stellantis visit www.stellantis.com

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter is a journalist with 20+ years of experience as a newspaper and magazine writer, radio & TV news producer & reporter, and author of guidebooks and smartphone apps – all focusing on travel, automotive, the environment and your rights as a consumer.

ecoXplorer Evelyn Kanter currently serves as 1st VP of the International Motor Press Assn. (IMPA) and is a former Board Member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)

Contact me at evelyn@ecoxplorer.com. Also follow my NYC website, NYC Travel Guru