Compare the2022 Honda HR-VVS 2021 Fiat 500X

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the HR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The HR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The 500X’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Collision Mitigation Braking System optional in the HR-V as “Superior.” The 500X scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

Both the HR-V and the 500X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the HR-V 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Fiat covers the 500X. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 500X ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Honda dealers as there are Fiat dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the HR-V’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the HR-V’s reliability 76 points higher than the 500X.

On the EPA test cycle the HR-V gets better mileage than the 500X:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda HR-V uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 500X requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The HR-V has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The 500X doesn’t offer a CVT.

The HR-V stops shorter than the 500X:

The HR-V’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 500X AWD’s standard 60 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the HR-V’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the 500X (102.8 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the 500X pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The HR-V EX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 500X Trekking (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Honda HR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 400 pounds less than the Fiat 500X.

The HR-V Sport/EX/EX-L uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 500X doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The HR-V has 8.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 500X (100.1 vs. 91.7).

The HR-V has .4 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 4.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the 500X.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the HR-V’s rear seats recline. The 500X’s rear seats don’t recline.

The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the 500X with its rear seat up (24.3 vs. 14.1 cubic feet). The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the 500X with its rear seat folded (58.8 vs. 39.8 cubic feet).

The HR-V has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The 500X doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The HR-V’s available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the 500X’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

For greater rear passenger comfort, the HR-V has standard rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 500X doesn’t offer rear vents.

The HR-V is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The 500X doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The HR-V will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the HR-V will retain 52.22% to 53.55% of its original price after five years, while the 500X only retains 35.86% to 41.94%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the HR-V is less expensive to operate than the 500X because typical repairs cost much less on the HR-V than the 500X, including $143 less for a water pump, $12 less for front brake pads, $267 less for fuel injection and $115 less for a fuel pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda HR-V will be $4067 to $7918 less than for the Fiat 500X.