2020 Fiat 500X Sport Edition Hopes To Spice Things Up In America

Update: Live images of the Fiat 500X Sport Edition from the LA Auto Show have been added

Following its launch in the European market, Fiat is bringing the new 500X Sport to North America and more specifically to the LA Auto Show for its debut.

As the name suggests, the new Fiat 500X Sport offers a more aggressive take on the Italian SUV, featuring new front and rear fascias, body-colored side moldings and dark-finish exterior accents, along with the exclusive “Rovente Red” paint color.

Unlike the Euro-spec models, the 2020 Fiat 500X Sport will be offered with just one powertrain option and all-wheel drive; more specifically the turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder petrol with 177 HP and 210 lb-ft of torque, paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Fiat claims a fuel economy of up to 30 mph highway, saying that the 500X Sport is the only model in its segment to offer this fuel economy on the highway and standard all-wheel drive.

“Our Italian-designed, fun-to-drive Fiat 500X is the only vehicle in its class to feature standard all-wheel drive and achieve 30 miles per gallon,” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of FCA’s Passenger Car Brands,North America. “With standard turbo power, the Fiat 500X Sport is a fresh, new alternative in one of the fastest growing segments in the industry.”

There’s no mention of any changes on the chassis setup of the new NA-spec 500X Sport in Fiat’s press release; we do know however that European models are getting special FSD dampers and a recalibrated steering rack.

The 2020 Fiat 500X Sport comes with 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, with a set of 19-inch alloys shod in Michelin CrossClimate all-season rubber being an option.

Inside the cabin, we find a dark headliner and pillars, new door and console bezel surface finishes, a techno-leather steering wheel with red stitching and Alcantara inserts, aluminum pedal covers, new cluster graphics and an Alcantara-trimmer instrument cluster cowl. Finally there are exclusive Sport seats dressed in black fabric with vinyl inserts and a seven-inch Uconnect 4 infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

In addition to the exclusive “Rovente Red” exterior paint color, the new Fiat 500X Sport will also be available in White, Black, Moda Grey and Italia Blue. Fiat will also offer the option of a contrasting black roof.

Prices for the new 2020 Fiat 500X Sport start from $26,895, excluding destination charges. The rest of the 2020 500X lineup includes the Pop, Trekking and Trekking Plus models, with the more affordable Pop starting from $24,590.