Sharing underpinnings with the 2015 Jeep Renegade, the 500X joins a burgeoning field of small crossovers that includes two other vehicles that were unveiled in L.A. this week--the 2016 Honda HR-V and 2016 Mazda CX-3.
RELATED: Jeep Renegade Is 'Male,' While Fiat 500X Will Be More 'Female': Analyst
Fiat is likely hoping that retro styling inspired by the 500 hatchback will attract buyer interest, but the 500X actually has little in common with the three-door model it shares a name with.
The 500X has sportier styling than Fiat's other five-door--the 500L--with a more pronounced hood and lower, more curved roof. Being a crossover, it also rides higher than any other Fiat.
![2016 Fiat 500X, introduced at 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show 2016 Fiat 500X, introduced at 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2016-fiat-500x-introduced-at-2014-los-angeles-auto-show_100491037_l.jpg)
2016 Fiat 500X, introduced at 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show
Powertrain offerings include two engines, two transmission, and a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
MORE: 2016 Honda HR-V: Live Photos And Details From 2014 LA Auto Show
The base 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque and is paired with a six-speed manual, while the 2.4-liter "Tigershark" four-cylinder gets a nine-speed automatic.
The available all-wheel drive system--a first for Fiat in North America--also decouples the rear axle unless extra traction is needed to improve efficiency.
Drivers can also adjust various vehicle parameters with three programmable modes--Auto, Sport, and Traction--but there isn't one that prioritizes efficiency.
![2016 Fiat 500X, introduced at 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show 2016 Fiat 500X, introduced at 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show](https://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/2016-fiat-500x-introduced-at-2014-los-angeles-auto-show_100491035_l.jpg)
2016 Fiat 500X, introduced at 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show
The 2016 Fiat 500X will arrive in U.S. showrooms by the middle of next year.
ALSO SEE: 2016 Mazda CX-3 Details: Small Crossover Debuts At LA Auto Show
It will be built at Fiat's Melfi, Italy, assembly plant, but--symbolic of the Fiat-Chrysler union--the engines will be assembled in Michigan.
For all of the latest new production and concept car debuts, head over to our Los Angeles Auto Show news page.
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