2016 Fiat 500X Priced from $20,000: Jeep Renegade Twin Isn't That Expensive

Prices start at just $20,000, not including the $900 destination charge, which is actually a little less than the crammed 500c Cabrio. For that, you get the entry-level Pop trim which is still powered by a 1.4-liter turbo engine with 160 hp. Standard kit also includes cruise control, Uconnect, USB connectivity and powered windows.

Fiat's new crossover somehow manages to be cheaper even than the basic MINI Countryman Cooper, which retails at $22,750 plus destination and only packs 121 hp from a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter and lacks the crucial all-wheel drive option. It's worth noting that that on Easy, Trekking, Lounge and Trekking Plus models Fiat charges $1,900 for the all-wheel drive system.

Moving up the range, the $22,300 500X Easy trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a color touchscreen, SiriusXM satellite radio and a bigger 2.4-liter engine with 184 horsepower. The range is completed by the $24,850 Fiat 500X Lounge, which adds ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control eight-way power driver seat, GPS navigation, fog lights and 3.5-inch driver information cluster display in full color similar to the one on the Dart.

The 500X crossover also has a more serious offroad version called the "Trekking", which is like a diluted Trailhawk. Available from $23,100, this model adds protective body cladding in satin chrome and a different set of 17-inch wheels. If you really want to break the piggy bank, you can go for the $27,100 Trekking Plus, which comes with a full leather interior, blind spot monitoring and a park assist function.

We'd stop short of calling the 500X "good value", since the all-wheel drive system is probably not on par with a $22,200 Subaru Forester. But the looks are undeniably superior to a MINI Countryman and it kind of makes the 500L look dorky and useless. In fact, we'd wager that within a couple of years, Fiat USA may have to stop selling it altogether.