THE demand for compact crossovers continues to grow and the 500X is Fiat's bid for a share of the market.

It is based on the hugely successful 500 city car and shares some of its retro styling.

It is available with a variety of petrol and diesel engines and the choice of two or four-wheel drive. It sits on a new platform which is also used by its cousin the Jeep Renegade.

Looks determine the success of most of the vehicle's in this sector and the 500X is more than just a jacked-up 500 on steroids.

Two versions are available ¿ a standard smart-looking model and the more rugged Cross version I drove.

The muscular Cross features the retro double circular headlights and moustache grille but it is much more muscular than the little city car.

The standard versions feature smoother front and rear bumpers while the Cross enjoys a more macho appearance due to its chunky bumpers, visible underbody protection panels and roof rails.

The exterior also boasts 17-inch alloys, a rear spoiler, tinted windows, fog lights and chrome finishes on the door handles, tailgate and exhaust pipe.

The 500X is also larger than most of its main rivals, including the MNI Countryman, the Renault Captur and Nissan's popular Juke and so offers plenty space inside for four adults to travel in comfort.

It is easy to select a good driving position and there is good visibility. The retro theme continues inside but the instruments and controls are all clear and easy to read and use, while a 6.5-inch infotainment screen dominates the dash top.

The touchscreen offers Bluetooth streaming and you also get a chunky leather-clad steering wheel, electric front and rear windows and door mirrors, automatic dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, a drive selector and half-ecoleleather upholstery.

The most popular engine is sure to be the 118bhp Multijet 1.6-litre diesel which powered the test car in combination with a six-speed manual gearbox.

It is good for 115mph and takes 10.5 seconds to reach 62mph. It is willing and fairly smooth and comes with stop/start which helps it to achieve a claimed combined average figure of 68.9mpg. It emits 109g/km and meets the Euro 6 standard.

As you would expect, the Cross offers bags of grip and the handling is good with limited body roll on tight corners. The suspension handles most surfaces well and it proved to be a good motorway cruiser.

On the safety front the Cross features the latest tech and buyers can also opt for a Dynamic Safety Plus Pack which includes lane departure warning, blind spot detection, forward collision mitigation and a rearview camera for an extra £650.

On the practical side there is a 350-litre boot which expands to 1,000-litres with the 60/40 split rear seats folded. The cabin also has a number of useful storage places.