Compare the2022 Honda CR-VVS 2022 Fiat 500X

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the CR-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 CR-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 in the CR-V as “Superior.” The 500X scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The CR-V’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’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 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, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 145 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The 500X last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the CR-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 CR-V’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’s reliability 55 points higher than the 500X.

Engine

The CR-V’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (190 vs. 177) than the 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
CR-V
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	28 city/34 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/32 hwy
500X
	AWD	1.3 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

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

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

Transmission

The CR-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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	CR-V	500X
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.2 inches	10.95 inches

The CR-V stops shorter than the 500X:

	CR-V	500X
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the 500X (235/65R17 vs. 215/60R17). The CR-V LX/SE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 500X (235/65R17 vs. 225/55R18).

Suspension and Handling

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

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.9 inches wider in the rear than the track on the 500X.

The CR-V’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (57.6% to 42.4%) than the 500X’s (60.3% to 39.7%). This gives the CR-V more stable handling and braking.

The CR-V Touring handles at .85 G’s, while the 500X pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CR-V Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the 500X Trekking (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

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

Chassis

The front grille of the CR-V 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 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 has 14.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 500X (105.9 vs. 91.7).

The CR-V has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 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’s rear seats recline. The 500X’s rear seats don’t recline.

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

Cargo Capacity

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the 500X with its rear seat up (39.2 vs. 14.1 cubic feet). The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the 500X with its rear seat folded (75.8 vs. 39.8 cubic feet).

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

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

	CR-V	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’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. 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 EX-L/Touring has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the CR-V 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 EX-L/Touring, 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 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 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 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’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the 500X’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

The CR-V 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 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 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’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 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 Touring has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 500X doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the CR-V is less expensive to operate than the 500X because it costs $127 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the CR-V than the 500X, including $205 less for a water pump, $22 less for front brake pads, $61 less for fuel injection and $89 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

The Honda CR-V has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	CR-V	500X
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	FALSE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	FALSE

The CR-V was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 21 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.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Fiat 500X by almost 299 to one during the 2021 model year.