2019 Fiat 500X Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Fiat is a manufacturer that has gained some momentum in the United States over the years. The 2019 Fiat 500X is a subcompact crossover SUV that seeks to redefine the segment and stand apart from the crowd. And it does. Although this vehicle has a high starting MSRP ($24,490, to be exact), there are a lot of affordable options that can help you customize whichever trim level you decide to buy.

New for 2019 are standard all-wheel drive, a turbocharged 1.3-L engine that is matched up with a 9-speed automatic transmission, a redesigned gauge cluster, and updates to the body's styling. Otherwise, you might not notice too many changes from last year's line-up. But that's okay; if it is not broken, don't fix it.

You will have to choose between the 500X's three trim levels: the base Pop, the mid-level Trekking, and the line-topping Trekking Plus. The 1.3-L turbo engine comes standard on each one, as does the 9-speed transmission and all-wheel drive. The 1.3-L engine is able to generate 177 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque, which is an improvement over the power generated by the previous engine.

So, which trim level is the right one for you? Is there one that stands out from the rest as being the best deal? Read on through to the end of this comparison review to learn more. By then, you should have a pretty clear idea of which 2019 Fiat 500X trim - if any - is the best fit for your needs.

Compare the 2019 Fiat 500X Pop vs Trekking Trims. What is the difference?

The 2019 Fiat 500X's line-up starts off with the base Pop trim level. The Pop rides atop standard 16-inch wheels. The mid-level Trekking trim, on the other hand, gets upgraded to larger 17-inch aluminum wheels. The Pop and Trekking trims both have halogen projector headlights that are bi-functioning and high-beam daytime running lights. The Trekking is additionally given fog and cornering lights.

You also get a lot of room for customization with exterior options. For example, while the Pop trim level has ten color options to choose from, the Trekking adds two more for a total of twelve. Options on the Pop are: Bianco Gelato, Nero Cinema, Arancio, Rame Chiaro, Blue Sky Metallic, Giallo Tristrato, Blu Venezia, Grigio Argento, Grigio Graphite, and Rosso Passione. If those do not sound and look fancy enough for you, the Trekking adds Amore Red Metallic and Rosso Amore to the list. The inside of the Pop has a standard black interior, but with the Trekking, you can choose between that black tone, a different black tone, or brown.

Speaking of the interiors of these two trim levels, you should be aware that there are a few important differences between them. The Pop trim level has standard cloth low back bucket seats while the Trekking has premium cloth bucket seats. Leather-trimmed bucket seats are available as an option for the Trekking trim but cannot be equipped on the Pop. Both trim levels have a driver seat that is adjustable for height, a front passenger seat that folds totally flat so as to give more cargo space, manual adjustability six different ways for both front seats, a rear seat that is 60/40 split folding, and three rear seat head restraints for extra safety measures.

There are quite a few of the same standard convenience features to be found in both the Pop and the Trekking. This list (which gets quite lengthy) includes: a 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, air conditioning, four cargo hook tie-downs that can be adjusted, an auxiliary interior heater, a 3.5-inch TFT cluster display, passenger and driver assist handles, a huge glove box with two large storage areas, an outside temperature display, keyless entry, a day/night rear view mirror, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, and a tire pressure monitoring display. The Trekking does upgrade you to illuminated vanity mirrors on the sun visors, a remote start system, keyless go, a front center sliding arm rest, carpeted floor mats for the front and rear, and a colored version of the 3.5-inch TFT cluster display. A compass gauge comes equipped, and, on the Trekking, you get a gorgeous leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

As far as technology goes, both trim levels come fairly well-equipped. There is a 6-speaker sound system, a 7-inch touchscreen display, smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a charge-only dual remote USB port, a GPS antenna input, Bluetooth with voice command built in, the Uconnect 4 system, and USB host flip. Options on the Pop include a Beats Premium Audio System and a one-year radio subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Meanwhile, on the Trekking, you get the added benefit of having these features come standard. You can also enjoy the optional GPS navigation or the Uconnect 4 with navigation.

Of course, safety features are important to take note of with any new vehicle that you purchase. The Pop and Trekking trim levels both come with 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, an electronic parking brake, electronic roll mitigation, electronic stability control, hill start assist, a rear view camera, and a security alarm. The Trekking adds options for the Advanced Safety Package (which includes automatic high beam headlight control and the blind spot monitoring system), full-speed forward collision warning plus, lane departure warning plus, and a rear parking assist system.

Since we already mentioned the Advanced Safety Package option, we need to also go over which other stand-alones and packages are available for the Pop and Trekking trim levels. Both trim levels can be equipped with the Mopar All Weather Base Package, the All Weather Plus Package, and the Appearance Package. Options for just the Pop trim level are the Popular Equipment Group and the Satin Chrome Appearance Group. On the Trekking, you can choose to get the Trekking Popular Equipment Package, the Front Wheel Drive Trekking Premium Package, the Cold Weather Package, and the Adventurer Edition (which comes with upgraded 18-inch wheels, black side roof rails, an orange mirror cap, an orange bodyside stripe, and cross bars on the roof rack).

Compare the 2019 500X Trekking vs Trekking Plus Trims. What is the difference?

At last, we have come to the top of the 2019 Fiat 500X line-up. The Trekking Plus essentially has everything that comes on the two lower trim levels as standard features. It still has the same LED daytime running lights and Uconnect infotainment system, which is said to be better than ever for this model year with some major improvements having been done to the graphics. So, as you can imagine, you are getting quite a lot of features packed into this vehicle.

You also get the option of equipping the Advanced Driver Assistance Package, which is also available on the Trekking. This package gives you adaptive cruise control, automatic windshield wipers, automatic high beam control, a lane departure warning and mitigation system, the blind spot monitoring system with rear cross traffic control, and automatic braking that comes with the forward collision warning system.

Final Thoughts

The 2019 Fiat 500X line-up does not give you a whole lot of configurations to choose from, which is not necessarily a bad thing - especially not when you have three solid selections laid out before you. Aside from the obviously limited amount of space that you get in these vehicles, the only real downside to buying one of them is the price tag. There are more affordable competitors in the subcompact crossover SUV segment this model year, many of which have similar features. But those competitors sure do not look that much like the Fiat 500X. It unique appearance and Fiat brand are really what will help to sell this vehicle.

Of course, there is one trim level that does seem to present the average customer with the best overall deal. That trim level is the Trekking. While you will have to pay a little bit more for it than you do for the base Pop trim, the Trekking offers a lot of reasonably priced options and packages that allow you to customize your vehicle. Also, that one year of a trial subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio is incredibly generous, as most other automobile manufacturers will only give you a 90-day trial.

If you get the Trekking trim level, be sure to add the Advanced Driver Assistance Package. It is worth the cost to have a big bundle of additional driver aids there when you need them. The blind spot monitoring system is incredibly helpful, even though the visibility fore and aft is pretty clear thanks to the 500X's smart design.

Overall, it is hard to go wrong with the 2019 Fiat 500X. These European subcompacts do not look like anything else that is on the market right now, and for how much you pay, you get a good amount of standard features. Also, with the decent return on fuel that you get from the new 1.3-L turbo-charged engine, you will be able to save a little bit at the pump.