IT'S eight years since Fiat introduced the latest version of its iconic 500 and since then it has developed from a cute mini motor into several variants, each time getting even bigger than the original.

The same can be said of the MINI, which has grown out of all proportion from the original sporty small city car.

So I wondered what the latest in the 500 range would be like and I was pleasantly surprised, not only by its looks but the obvious effort that has gone into making the 500X crossover a much more up-market motor with classier interior design and higher quality materials.

The newcomer is up against the likes of the Renault Captur, MINI Countryman and the Nissan Juke in the expanding crossover sector and I think it will more than hold its own.

It comes with a 350-litre luggage compartment which can be extended to accommodate all manner of loads using the fold and tumble rear seats and a fold-flat front passenger seat.

A removable load platform which is reversible and height adjustable is also available. I also liked the new front seats which are comfortable and adjustable with wraparound bolstering.

For the driver, there's a new instrument binnacle divided into three, circular cowled displays, with the large, central display featuring a reconfigurable 3.5-inch display flanked by speedometer and rev-counter.

A new chunky steering wheel has been fitted with fingertip control buttons for infotainment, cruise control and other functions and the dash has a high-mounted 5 or 6.5-inch touchscreen for sat nav.

The five-door 500X is slightly larger all round than the opposition which gives it an advantage in interior space for passengers and luggage but it still retains some of the retro features of the smaller 500 with its circular headlights, low air duct and chrome front trim. I also liked the sporty looking wheel arches and the swooping roofline.

The new FIAT 500X, which goes on sale on April 24, will be available with a broad range engine and powertrain options in the UK. Front-wheel drive, petrol-powered models are either equipped with a 110bhp, 1.6-litre "E-torQ" engine with a five-speed manual gearbox or a 140bhp 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir II petrol engine with either a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed twin-clutch transmission.

The all-wheel drive petrol model comes with a nine-speed automatic transmission as standard and is powered by a 170bhp, 1.4-litre Turbo MultiAir II engine.

The front-wheel drive diesel range consists of the 95bhp, 1.3-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel, equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox, and the 120bhp 1.6-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox.

The four-wheel drive diesel option is the 140bhp 2.0-litre MultiJet II turbo diesel, which will be available with a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission.

I tried the 1.6-litre diesel six-speed manual in Cross trim on a pretty comprehensive route which took in steep hills, twisty country roads and some town driving and was really impressed.

It handles well, with precise steering, a very slick gear change, little wind or engine noise and just a little bit of body roll on some of the faster corners.

Fiat claims you could average around 68mpg with this model, which has a top speed of 116mph and a 0-62 sprint time of 10.5 seconds with just 109 g/km of CO2.

The new Fiat 500X is available in two guises, the urban version in Pop, Pop Star and Lounge specifications and a rugged off-road version in Cross and Cross plus spec.

Pricing for the FIAT 500X ranges from £14,595 for the 1.6 E-torQ 110bhp in Pop specification to £25,845 for the 2.0-litre MultiJet II 140bhp AT AWD Cross Plus.