Insurance Group: 4
MPG: 57.6
CO2: 113
0-62 Mph: 13.4 secs
BHP: 69 BHP
Range: 443 miles
PROS: The Fiat Panda is a practical city car which does not cost much to run. The Panda looks stylish and funky with a chunky exterior that belies its spacious square cabin. It is very affordable.
CONS: The Panda has a pretty basic level of standard equipment. The engine is always audible and there are some shortcomings in terms of handling and grip. Though the car can seat four adults, comfort may be an issue on long trips.
With its 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder, 8-valve engine, the Fiat Panda 1.2 Active produces 69 bhp at 5500rpm and 75 lb-ft of torque at 3000 rpm. It can reach 62 mph in 13.4 seconds and hits a top speed of 101 mph.
The dualdrive electric power steering makes manouevring the car at low speeds easy. Handling is good at low speeds but the the light steering feels vague at higher speeds. The ride is fine at low speeds but, again, gets choppy as the speed increases.
Refinement is an issue as the engine becomes noisy when worked hard. Road and wind noise are both present at moderate to high speeds. The large A pillars affects visibility.
One of the best assets of Fiat Panda 1.2 Active is its stylish well-rounded look which is consistent with its interior finishing. Compared to the Fiat 500, the Panda’s design is less cutesy and more functional. The Panda is a bit of a TARDIS - small on the outside but spacious on the inside. The doors are wide enough for the passengers to easily get in and out. The colour-coded bumpers offer style while the cloth upholstered interior is simple but functional.
Electric front windows and a CD player are both offered as standard and metallic paint is a £440 option but that's it. Almost all the mod-cons we've come to expect on modern cars are completely unavailable on the Panda 1.2 Active.
This 5-door hatchback can comfortably seat four adults, with five squeezing in at a pinch, and the Panda’s tall body affords plenty of headroom in front and at the back.
The boot has a capacity of 206 litres which can be extended to 861 litres if the rear seats are folded down.
The Panda's Euro NCAP overall rating is 4/5 and the car is offered with a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty.
Priced at £8,445, the Fiat Panda is very cheap and its residual values are quite respectable. The Panda is frugal, returning 57.6mpg on the combined cycle and, with CO2 emissions of 113g/km, the Panda is eco-friendly. The car falls under insurance group 4 and Road Tax Band C and should therefore be very cheap to run.
The Kia Picanto and VW up! do pose a threat to the Fiat Panda but this car is definitely worthy of consideration if you’re looking for a car in this class and don't mind sacrificing a great deal of equipment.
The Fiat Panda 1.2 Active is a good choice for a city car. The Panda looks very stylish and is affordable and cheap to run but on the open road the car lacks refinement. The level of equipment offe...
The ideal city car, those looking for a stylish vehicle which copes well on the open road and in congested traffic are sure to be fans of the Fiat Panda 1.2 MyLife. This is the mid-spec model in th...
With its strong build, good looks, dynamics and refined, roomy cabin, the Panda is a good car. It is competitively priced and this - coupled with low running costs - makes it a desirable model f...
The Fiat Panda Lounge 0.9 TwinAir 5dr is a member of the Italian car maker’s Panda city car range. The original Panda was launched in 1980 and proved a popular small car, soldiering on superficial...
This version of the Fiat Panda is certainly a departure from the usual city cars that are available, but there must be a small group of people who are looking for a small car with 4x4 capability, a...
You might want to read reviews for other City Cars that you can then compare to the Fiat Panda. Here are some popular Fiat Panda alternatives:
