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Welcome to the Fiat 500X Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser comparison. Strange pairing for a comparison but we put it up because be drove the Fist 500X for the first time and that both are retro inspired designs. However obviously they are designed for very different purposes so the comparison is based on their on road behaviour rather than off road and utility as daily drivers around town, otherwise the comparison would be pointless.
Fiat 500X Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser exterior comparison: The Fiat 500X has styling themes from the current retro Fiat 500 hatch and presumably this is what a high-rise Fiat 500 SUV should look like. The Fiat 500X is not a small car and clearly not based on the much smaller 500 underneath which means that the 500X is purely a marketing thing. Overall the 500X is a nice design by being largely unique all curves last seen in the 1990’s. In the test of time stakes we can confidently predict that in 10 years the FJ Cruiser will be just cool as it is now while the 500X will not. In the brand and model recognition stakes, take the Fiat badges off and you probably would pick which manufacturer it was from whereas the FJ cruiser will also be recognised as a Toyota and FJ.
Fiat 500X Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser interior comparison: The Fiat 500X has a nice modern and airy interior designed to maximise space and feel retro modern. It is a nice place to be although the retro touches are cosmetic and don’t interfere with usability. Eg, colour coded dash is aesthetic designed to imitate the metal dash on the original 500 and not functional. The instrument design and graphics are very nice. Likewise the FJ Cruiser has a retro inspired interior down to the deliberate placement of single function buttons, large knobs and instrument design. However at the FJ Cruiser is more commercial in it origins it directly translated to the current model, with rubber floor and hard plastics. The exterior design means that the interior design is impacted by having ‘features’ like space robbing rear wheel arches and long distance to the windscreen. While the FJ Cruiser is physically larger the interior space is not efficiently used compared to the Fiat 500X. We prefer the 500X interior but can live with the FJ.
Fiat 500X Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser engines and technology comparison: Both model currently have the highest powered petrol engines available. The 500X has the latest fuel saving tech but 2.5 litre power in a 1.4 turbo engine and it is zippy enough. The FJ Cruiser has a huge 4.0 litre 200Kw petrol V6 shared with the Prado and in FJ is is zippy from any rev level. However the gearbox is clearly geared to save petrol by relying on torque than revs which is ample at low revs but requires a lower gear at higher speeds. The FJ is easily a 7 second 0-100kph when run in. There is plenty of safety tech in the 500X where as the FJ only has the basics but plenty of airbags. No need to say which one i better off road. On road the 500 X surprised with high fuel use with a induced 8.9 litres. The FJ manages an average of 11.4 in peak hour hence very good things considered.
Fiat 500X Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser: The 500X steering feel and handling is very good however the ride is also good but not what you expect given it’s for extra suspension travel and more hatchback like and not exactly quiet. The 9 speed auto often commented on due to reliably seems to works fine and zippy with turbo punch linear. Due to the short drive couldn’t really determine any more. The FJ Cruiser rides very well 90% of bumps are absorbed or heard but not felt the engine is heard but quiet on any road surface. Steering feel however is missing but you can feel the rear end and what the tyres are up to which is surprising but very clever. The V6 engine is also a powerhouse that traditionally squats the rear and punches like FJ forward to 1000kph in under 8 seconds levelly and traditional engine roar when doing it too! The FJ is a better drive easily – just the visibility outside the car can be an issue.
As anyone can guess both are quite different SUVs. The Fiat 500X does trade on brand and design and not that different from any other city focussed SUV by being good at being inoffensive or great at any particular thing. If this is the sort of SUV you are after than this is a great choice. The FJ Cruiser is a stand out in being and the last of its kind, it’s much more retro than the Fiat and that works like the original yet more civilised than a city SUV although may not be as convenient.
| Fiat 500X | Toyota FJ Cruiser |
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| Engines | |
| IL 4 Cylinder Turbo SOHC EFI VVT 1.4 Litre (1368cc) Claimed 125Kw @ 5500RPM Claimed 250Nm @ 2500RPM |
1GR-FE V6 Petrol Quad Cam with VVTi EFI 4 Litre (3956cc) Claimed 200Kw @ 5600RPM Claimed 380Nm @ 4400RPM |
| Weight | |
| Kerb weight FROM 1400 Kg Towing capacity up to 1300kg |
Kerb weight 2000 Kg Towing capacity up to 2250kg |
| Fuel capacity & consumption | |
| Up to 48 litres IL4 Petrol 6.7 Lts per 100km AVG |
150 litres V6 Petrol 11.4 litres per 100km |
| Other specifications | |
| 9 speed Auto or 6 speed manual Overall height/width 1620/1796 Overall length/wheelbase 4276/2570 4WD system: FWD or AWD on demand ANCAP Safety: 5/5 |
5 speed Auto Overall height/width 1830/1905 Overall length/wheelbase 4670/2790 Tyre size: 265-70-17 NCAP safety rating 4/5 |
| Capability | |
| Angle of: (degrees) Approach xx Departure xx Breakover xx Ground clearance (unloaded) mm Water Fording depth xxmm Max |
Angle of: (degrees) Approach xx Departure xx Breakover xx Ground clearance (unloaded) xxxmm Water Fording depth xxmm Max |
| Performance | |
| Pricing | |
| 2016 $26,000 – 38,000 AUD | 2016 $46,000 AUD *Always check with the dealer for up to date pricing, specifications, on-road costs, accessories and specials etc.. everything as usual is subject to change! |