Compare the2022 Honda CR-V HybridVS 2021 Fiat 500X

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-V Hybrid deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The CR-V Hybrid’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 in the CR-V Hybrid as “Superior.” The 500X scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The CR-V Hybrid’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the 500X and is only available on 500X Trekking/Sport/Trekking Plus.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the 500X’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the CR-V Hybrid has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the 500X Trekking/Sport/Trekking Plus offers a cross-path warning system and it costs extra.

The CR-V Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The 500X doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the CR-V Hybrid 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The Honda CR-V Hybrid weighs 403 to 458 pounds more than the Fiat 500X. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the CR-V Hybrid the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 500X last would have qualified as a “Top Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the CR-V Hybrid 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 CR-V Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

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 CR-V Hybrid’s reliability 36 points higher than the 500X.

Engine

The CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 35 more horsepower (212 vs. 177) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (232 vs. 210) than the 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the CR-V Hybrid gets better fuel mileage than the 500X (40 city/35 hwy vs. 24 city/30 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the CR-V Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The 500X doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

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

The CR-V Hybrid has 1.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the 500X (14 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda CR-V Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Fiat 500X (6). This means the CR-V Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 500X every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The CR-V Hybrid 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.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the CR-V Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 500X:

	CR-V Hybrid	500X
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	10.95 inches

The CR-V Hybrid stops shorter than the 500X:

	CR-V Hybrid	500X
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	146 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CR-V Hybrid has larger tires than the 500X (235/60R18 vs. 215/60R17). The CR-V Hybrid EX/EX-L’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 500X (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-V Hybrid EX/EX-L has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 500X AWD.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CR-V Hybrid’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the 500X (104.7 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V Hybrid is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.8 inches wider in the rear than on the 500X.

The CR-V Hybrid’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57% to 43%) than the 500X’s (60.3% to 39.7%). This gives the CR-V Hybrid more stable handling and braking.

The CR-V Hybrid Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the 500X pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CR-V Hybrid Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the 500X Trekking (28 seconds @ .6 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V Hybrid has a greater minimum ground clearance than the 500X (8.2 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the CR-V Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the CR-V Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 500X doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CR-V Hybrid 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.

Passenger Space

The CR-V Hybrid has 11.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 500X (102.9 vs. 91.7).

The CR-V Hybrid has 1.8 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 5.6 inches more rear legroom and 2.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the 500X.

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

The front step up height for the CR-V Hybrid is .4 inches lower than the 500X (19” vs. 19.4”). The CR-V Hybrid’s rear step up height is 1.6 inches lower than the 500X’s (18” vs. 19.6”).

Cargo Capacity

The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the 500X with its rear seat up (33.2 vs. 14.1 cubic feet). The CR-V Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the 500X with its rear seat folded (68.7 vs. 39.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CR-V Hybrid easier. The CR-V Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26 inches, while the 500X’s liftover is 31.4 inches.

The CR-V Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the 500X’s in every dimension:

	CR-V Hybrid	500X
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.5”/71”	n/a
Max Width	54”	41.3”
Min Width	41.5”	37.8”
Height	41”	28.8”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the CR-V Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 500X doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the CR-V Hybrid. The 500X doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the CR-V Hybrid EX-L/Touring has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the CR-V Hybrid Touring, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The 500X doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the CR-V Hybrid, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The 500X doesn’t offer memory seats.

The CR-V Hybrid EX-L/Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 500X doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

If the windows are left open on the CR-V Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the 500X can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The CR-V Hybrid 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 CR-V Hybrid’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the 500X’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The 500X only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

On extremely cold winter days, the CR-V Hybrid EX-L/Touring’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 500X doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 500X doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The CR-V Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the 500X and isn’t available on the 500X Pop.

The CR-V Hybrid’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The 500X Pop doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the CR-V Hybrid has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 500X doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda CR-V Hybrid Touring has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 500X doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Honda CR-V Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Fiat 500X isn't recommended.

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 20 years. The 500X has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

Motor Trend selected the CR-V as their 2018 Sport Utility of the Year. The 500X has never been chosen.