Compare the2023 Fiat 500XVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek

Both the 500X and the Crosstrek have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, front and rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The 500X comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The Crosstrek’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The engine in the 500X has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Crosstrek have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

The 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 25 more horsepower (177 vs. 152) and 65 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 145) than the Crosstrek’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The 500X’s 1.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 34 lbs.-ft. more torque (210 vs. 176) than the Crosstrek Sport/Limited’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

The 500X has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Fiat 500X comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Crosstrek.

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

The 500X stops much shorter than the Crosstrek:

The 500X Sport’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Crosstrek Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 500X Sport offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Crosstrek’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The 500X has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The 500X Pop executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Crosstrek Limited (28 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The 500X is 9.3 inches shorter than the Crosstrek, making the 500X easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The 500X’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek’s (2000 vs. 1500 pounds).

The 500X has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Crosstrek doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The 500X’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The 500X’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Crosstrek’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open them fully.

The 500X’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Crosstrek’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The 500X’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Crosstrek’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

The 500X’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the Crosstrek Premium/Sport/Limited.

The 500X Sport’s 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. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 500X is less expensive to operate than the Crosstrek because it costs $382 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 500X than the Crosstrek, including $74 less for a muffler, $250 less for a starter, $278 less for front struts and $208 less for a timing belt/chain.