THE 500,000th Fiat 500X was built in Italy not long ago.

One up from the smaller Fiat 500, it is a popular model among British drivers.

The manufacturer gave it a 120th edition model moniker to celebrate the Fiat brand's 120th anniversary.

Busy times are ahead for Fiat. Not long ago, they took over the Jeep brand, and now they have Renault in their sights as manufacturers around the world put up the barricades to keep warm together in the chilly world of motor car production.

The Fiat 500X is the sort of car we will all be driving in years to come with either electric or hydrogen engines. Not too big, not too small and not likely to upset the green brigade.

It has got style and a certain touch of individuality - and plenty of space to suit most people.

It is the B sector supermini and it is not too dissimilar to the large version MINI, along with the SEAT Arona, Citroen 3 Aircross etc etc.

There’s a three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine which gives you 120bhp when the CO2 is 131g/km, and a four-cylinder of 1.33 litre which gives you150bhp and has a dual-clutch auto as standard.

But the one-litre is the one to go for. It has a six speed gearbox which will take you to 60mph in less than 11 seconds and the top speed is just short of 120mph. The combined miles per gallon is just short of 40, which is pretty good for a petrol engine.

Prices start at around £18,000 and go to £25,000 for the bigger engine with options. In base trim the 120bhp is just insurance group 8, rising to 16 for the top-trim 150bhp.

Standard kit includes speed limit sign recognition and lane departure assist, which is a bit difficult to switch off. Ask for advice!

City brake and blind spot warning are optional as a £650 pack, and specs are pretty generous as standard or cheap to add as an option.

LED headlights are £750 and standard on the top trim.

The control interfaces work well. Simple and well-made climate controls help. The instruments are easy to understand and menus in the centre screen are good, with the system having a standard phone mirroring for Apple and Android.

Fiat has interest-free deals across three years, putting a 120bhp 500X at £179 a month after a deposit of £4,276, with three years’ servicing.

But such is the motoring world at the moment that deals abound among manufacturers.

Any customer who buys a new Fiat can benefit from a new fixed-price service plan from FCA’s aftersales business, Mopar.

For just £199, on top of the purchase price, Fiat customers can take advantage of the Easy Care service plan, which covers all planned maintenance for their vehicle over a three-year period or up to a mileage limitation.

The standard Easy Care package represents a saving of £200 and protects against price rises and inflation, while ensuring that the customer’s car is only ever fitted with 100 percent genuine Mopar parts and is serviced by a manufacturer-trained qualified technician. The package includes all parts, labour and fluids for the duration of the contract, such as oil, air and cabin filters, brake fluid and coolant.

John MacDonald, Mopar service, parts & customer care director, said: “With Easy Care, Fiat customers can take even more control of their motoring costs, knowing that as well as offering terrific value for money, their Fiat won’t give them any unexpectedly high servicing or maintenance costs. True peace of mind driving.”

Easy Care servicing is applicable to any Fiat vehicle ordered before June 30 and registered by September 30, full terms and conditions apply. For more information on Easy Care and the Fiat range, visit www.fiat.co.uk. To or to locate your nearest Fiat retailer, visit www.fiat.co.uk/retailers.

The service plan is limited to 27,000 miles for petrol engines or 45,000 miles for diesel. The offer is available through approved Fiat retailers only.

For more information about the Fiat range, visit www.fiat.co.uk or to locate your nearest Fiat retailer visit www.fiat.co.uk/retailers