Fiat Panda 1.2 Range Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Fiat Panda 1.2-litre range
Prices: £8,565 - £11,005 - on the road
Insurance Group: 2
Emissions: 133g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 14.1s / Max Speed 96mph
Fuel Consumption: (urban) 39.8mpg / (extra urban) 58.9mpg / (combined) 50.4mpg
Safety: Driver and passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist
Dimensions: Length/Width/Height 3538/1790/1540mm

THE ANSWER’S IN BLACK AND WHITE

Our Rating: 6.9 / 10

The latest Fiat Panda has had plaudits aplenty. Andy Enright tries the 1.2-litre version to see if the credit is deserved

Although European Car of The Year title is a heavy weight of expectation for such a small car to carry, the Fiat Panda looks to be shouldering that particular load rather well. In bringing an unprecedented level of sophistication to the citycar sector, the Panda looks set to wipe the floor with the established competition. It’s always good to see what Fiat can do when they bring their ‘A’ game and the 1.2-litre version that we take a look at here represents a very sound purchase.

Prices start at around £8,500 for the Dynamic trim level which features anti lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, a trip computer, twin front airbags, dual drive electric power steering and body coloured bumpers. There’s also an ‘ECO’ version of this car with 119g/km CO2 emissions. The Eleganza trim level features alloy wheels, climate control, a split/folding rear seat. At the top of the 1.2-litre range is the Panda 4x4.

The 1.2-litre engine is one of the Panda’s greatest assets. True, 60bhp may not sound a whole hill of beans, but when fitted to the Panda it gives it enough go to make it a good deal more versatile than many citycar rivals. It’s almost as if the citycar sector can be subdivided into those models which you’d never contemplate taking a longer journey in and cars like the Panda that are well up to motorway cruising. Part of the reason for this is that the Panda 1.2 features a four-cylinder engine, whereas many of its rivals have to work a three-cylinder unit that much harder to keep pace. At typical motorway speeds, the engine is a little vocal but not too intrusive and wind and road noise are well suppressed.

Fiat have gone to great lengths to instil a big car feel in the Panda and the amount of soundproofing pays dividends. Fiat claim the Panda is the only car in its class to have 99 per cent of its interior surface lined, and this certainly helps both the perception of quality and noise suppression. The Panda will pull from low speeds cleanly and the gearshift is probably the best in the citycar class. The clutch feels like a well engineered item as well, being progressive in its action, making stop/go progress easy to manage. The ‘City’ button takes all the weight out of the steering system and makes three point turns an exercise in effortless wheel twirling.

The cabin is very well finished with a good deal of space but there is a caveat. If you’re over six feet tall, do not order the Panda with the SkyDome sunroof as it eats into headroom quite drastically. What’s more, the sunroof surround is quite pronounced and features a definite ridge that you taller occupants easily and painfully clout their heads against. Space in the back of the Panda is a mixed bag, the car being wider and taller than many rivals but without a great deal of legroom. Still, Fiat can only do so much with a car that measures just 3.54m from nose to tail. Luggage space is surprisingly good, especially if you opt for the added practicality of the Eleganza’s split/fold rear seat. The hatchback is both wide and tall and there’s no intrusion from the rear light clusters although the rear wheel arches limit ultimate carrying capacity somewhat.

Despite their ongoing efforts to convince us that they can build a wide and varied model range, it’s an inescapable fact that Fiat are still largely associated with tiny citycars. From the diminutive Topolino through models like the 500, Uno and Cinquecento, Fiat have proved masters at making tiny cars with enormous appeal. Originally introduced in 1980 and still produced in Italy until September 2003, the Panda has been one of Fiat’s more enduring successes, notching up over four and a half million sales.

It didn’t have the easiest start to life. Originally slated to be called the Gingo, it seems Renault have done Fiat a huge favour by insisting they ditch this awful moniker because it sounded too similar to their Twingo - a car that competes for the same market share. Quite why Fiat wanted to ditch the Panda name is a little baffling as it’s still remembered by most as a car that was inexpensive, rugged and ahead of its time; qualities you’d think Fiat would like to associate their latest offering with.

Although the Panda was last sold in the UK in 1995, it retains a strong identity and this will help kick s