SECTOR: Compact crossover PRICE: From €13,600   FUEL: 4.1–6.4l/100km   CO2: 109–147g/km

Fiat has been quite clever with the design of the 500X, first seen at the Paris Show last year and now on sale in many of the 100 countries it is destined for – including the US.

In side profile it mimics the tiny 1957 500 Nuova, which spawned the shape of the retro 500 50 years later. This might significantly dwarf the original but, by cleverly echoing its front end design in the 500X, it is a tidy way of extending the 500 brand to a larger car.

Not that the 500X is the first larger model carrying the 500 name. It shares its platform and drivetrain with the ungainly 500L and the impressive Jeep Renegade, with which it shares more or less the same range of engine and transmission options.

Perhaps more importantly from Fiat’s perspective, it gives the company an entry in the burgeoning compact crossover market, where manufacturers are falling over themselves to be represented. In terms of layout there are no surprises. The car offers a compact five-door hatchback with raised ground clearance, partly due to large 16, 17 or 18-inch alloy wheels. At 350 litres, the boot is a reasonable size for the car.

The 500X is available in two versions – loosely described as metropolitan and leisure. Metropolitan versions are available in Pop, Popstar and Lounge trims, while the leisure versions are available in Cross and Cross Plus trims aimed at off-road use. The comprehensive range of petrol and diesel engines are familiar from the Jeep Renegade. At launch these include the 140hp 1.4-litre turbocharged MultiAir2 petrol engine and 110hp 1.6-litre “E-torQ” petrol, both with front wheel drive. There’s six-speed transmission for the 1.4-litre engine and five-speed transmission for the 1.6-litre engine.

These are joined by two diesel engines: the 120hp 1.6-litre MultiJet II and 140hp 2.0-litre MultiJet II. The 1.6-litre diesel comes with front-wheel-drive and six-speed manual transmission while the larger diesel comes with nine-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive. Other options include a six-speed dual clutch transmission for the 1.4-litre MultiAir engine.

To follow later will be a 95hp 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel with front wheel drive and five-speed manual transmission and 2.0-litre Multijet with six-speed manual transmission.

Then there’s a ‘Mood Selector’ to choose between three drive modes – Auto, Sport and Traction for the leisure models and Auto Sport and All Weather for the metropolitans. Traction means 4×4 for the leisure models, while All-weather uses the ESC system to provide an ‘electronic differential’ to improve traction for 4×2 models. To minimise fuel consumption, the rear wheels of 4×4 models are decoupled when in 4×2 mode.

On road, the 500X feels like other crossovers with slightly insulated steering feedback and supple suspension. Both 1.4 petrol and 2.0-litre diesel were capable performers. It may lack the appeal of the Renegade, but that may be a selling point for some customers. It’s likely to be almost as capable off-road.

What we think:

The 500X has character and offers plenty of choice. Our fleet pick would be the 1.6-litre diesel, which is the most economical and gives strong performance.