Name: Fiat Panda Review
Item: Fiat Panda
Author: Gumtree.com

Although it was originally available on UK roads between 1980 and 1995, the recognisable Fiat Panda of today was launched in its current shape in 2004. It had a pretty significant upgrade in 2012 too, so bear that in mind when you’re shopping around. Different versions of it are available, including the 4×4 Panda Cross, petrol and diesel options and a mild hybrid. Whichever you go for, it’s a super-popular city car, so there are plenty of used ones to choose from. It’s a budget-friendly buy and great for new drivers or small families.

Browse available cars on the Fiat Panda model page.

What we think about the Fiat Panda

The Fiat Panda is an iconic, boxy small car with fun handling and great efficiency.

Pros

Cheap to run

Easy to park

Cute looks

Cons

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Zero-star safety rating

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Struggles on the motorway

Available with four or five seats, the Fiat Panda’s an instantly recognisable, economical five-door city car. Choose from the Pop, Easy and Lounge trim, and two or four-wheel drive options. Petrol, diesel and mild hybrids come in a range of colours too. One problem area is its unfortunate safety rating.

Driving performance of the Fiat Panda

Our Driving Rating7 / 10

Thanks to its small size and peppy engine, the Panda is great in town. Handling is easy and predictable, and nippy enough to be a lark. It’s super easy to park thanks to its tight turning circle and responsive steering. Bear in mind that it does struggle a bit on the motorway but offers a reasonably comfy ride over bumps on country roads. Newer models of the Panda Cross 4×4 have driving mode options for if you’re heading off-road, as well as an extra crawler gear for going slowly over bumpy terrain.

Safety and reliability of the Fiat Panda

Our Safety Rating5 / 10

Although it scored four out of five stars for safety from Euro NCAP in 2011, a 2018 re-evaluation of newer models received zero stars. This is because newer Pandas have exactly the same safety kit as those built in the noughties, and Euro NCAP’s scoring criteria has been updated as safety technology gets more advanced. All editions have airbags to protect the front passengers in the event of a crash, as well as a seatbelt reminder light, but no modern active safety technology. Reliability-wise, it’s got a good reputation and its simple design means repairs are cheap.

Under the bonnet of the Fiat Panda

Our Engine Rating7 / 10

Pre-2012 Pandas are available with 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4-litre engines. The upgraded models kept this pretty consistent, with a four-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol and a 1.3-litre diesel to choose from. Most recent editions are three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol mild hybrids. You’ve got a five-speed manual transmission with the two-wheel drives, while the 4x4s have an extra off-road gear. The 1.2-litre petrols offer 68 bhp, with a top speed of 96 mph and 0-60 time of 14.4 seconds – mild hybrids stretch that to 70 bhp. If you want more go, keep an eye out for the TwinAir turbocharged petrols, as they do 0-60 in 12.7 seconds and can hit 102 mph.

What you'll find in the Fiat Panda

Our Design Rating8 / 10

Its iconic boxy shape makes sure the Fiat Panda is instantly recognisable. Pre-2012, the design was a little more angular, with sharper corners – the upgrade gave it a more funky look. The Panda Cross 4×4 has SUV styling and skid plates, while the City Cross keeps the same looks with better fuel economy. There are lots of special editions out there too, including the penguin-adorned Panda Antarctica and the classy Panda Trussardi. Modern iterations come in three trim options: entry-level Pop, Easy, and range-topping Lounge. As well as trim, you can pick from a range of colours including bright blues and reds.

Comfort and interiors in the Fiat Panda

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

The Panda has loads of headroom for all its passengers thanks to its tall, square shape. This does mean all of the seats are quite upright, and taller people will find the legroom tight. New buyers get a choice of four or five rear seats, though as with all city cars, three in the backseat is a squeeze. Split-fold rear seats are also an optional extra. The boot’s small, but it’s easy to get things in and out of as long as they can fit. Inside, the Fiat is bright and fun, with chunky styling.

What features you'll find in the Fiat Panda

Our Features Rating6 / 10

Modern Pandas with entry-level Pop trim come with electric front windows and a CD player with MP3 connectivity – no Bluetooth or navigation here. Nothing thrilling on the Easy trim either, but you will get remote central locking, air conditioning, roof rails (useful for a roof rack, or just a smart-looking extra) and six speakers. Top-class Lounge trim gives you alloy wheels and access to a Uconnect setup that connects your phone to the car via Bluetooth to run navigation. It even comes with a handy smartphone holder.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Fiat Panda

Our Fuel Consumption Rating7 / 10

Like many similar city cars, the Panda is nicely efficient. It weighs just 940 kg after all. Models with a 1.2-litre petrol engine are rated as doing 44.1 mpg and emitting 132 g/km of carbon dioxide, while 4×4 Cross versions claim to do 37 mpg. Mild hybrids supposedly offer an impressive 50.4 mpg and put out just 126 g/km of carbon dioxide. The small hitch here is that many of the hybrids struggle to get anywhere near this figure in practice, so it’s worth chatting to the seller to see how individual models hold up.

Running costs of the Fiat Panda

Our Cost Rating8 / 10

Thanks to its simple design and good efficiency, the Fiat Panda is pretty cheap to run. Exercise good care and get it serviced at the recommended intervals and you’ll find it will last well. Trips to the garage are usually reasonably priced, and when it comes to insurance, it won’t break the bank either. Standard Pandas sit in insurance groups 3-5, and the 4×4 Cross models are in groups 7-10.

Our verdict of the Fiat Panda

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

This compact city car has cute looks and is budget-friendly, but it isn't quite up to modern safety standards.

Fiat Panda Review