Fiat Panda Range Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Fiat Panda range
Prices: £7,665-£13,190 - on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 1-5
Emissions: 114-155g/km
Performance: [1.2 8v] 0-60mph 14.0s / Max Speed 96mph
Fuel Consumption: [1.2 8v ECO] (urban) 42.8mpg / (extra urban) 68.9mpg / (combined) 56.5mpg
Safety: Driver and passenger airbags
Dimensions: Length/Width/Height 3538/1589/1540mm

Choices for All

Our Rating: No Rating Available

Most car companies these days release a citycar line and give you maybe three options, good, better and best. But Fiat gives people interested in the Panda a plethora of options to choose from that includes multiple engines, drivetrains, safety equipment and loads of upgrades. Fiat has released the Panda, the Panda ECO, The Panda Eleganza and The Panda Crosser.

Engine choices for the Panda line include a 1.1-litre, a 1.2-litre and a 1.3-litre MulitJet diesel. The 1.1-litre engine gives decent power especially at low speeds. Many believe the gearshift to be the best in its class. The action of the clutch makes the car very easy to drive in city traffic and the addition of what Fiat calls the ?City? button takes the heaviness out of the steering when needed and make pulling tight turns much less painful.

The Panda 1.2-litre comes with a 1.2-litres engine that runs on four-cylinders not the typical 2 or 3-cylinder normally associated with the supermini class. The 1.2-litre delivers 60bhp which, combined with the 4-cylnders, gives it enough power to actually feel safe on a motorway. The 1.3-litre MultiJet is a 16 valve powerhouse that runs on a second generation common rail injection system that meets the Euro4 emission requirements. The normal function of a diesel engine have the fuel being injected by a couple of shots of fuel into the cylinder. Fiat also offers the 1.1-litre and 1.2-litre in ECO versions that emit less CO2 and get better gas mileage.

Fiat is offering the Panda in various trim levels. The Panda Active comes with a decent list of standard equipment that includes airbags for the driver and passenger, an imobiliser, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, ?Follow Me Home? headlamps and power front windows. The Dynamic level that comes with anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, a trip computer, power steering, body coloured bumpers and a trip computer. Step up to the Eleganza and Fiat dresses the Panda up the Panda even more with alloy wheels, split/folding rear seat and climate control.

Fiat is proud to pronounce that the interior of the car is the only one in its class that has lining on 99 percent of the cabin. This fact allows the car to drive at motorway speeds while keeping the wind noise to a minimum. Overall space is what you would expect for this range. The back seat can fit two adults, but there isn't much leg room and might prove to be uncomfortable in long trips.

The exterior styling has been kept rather simple. This will help it appeal to a wide range of people who like to drive their cars in relative peace. Fiat, as usual, has added a few pieces of impact design that include the shape of the glazed area that swings over to a neat quarter window that then meets with the overly large vertical rear taillights. The front also tapers back over the wheel arches to meet the nice looking hips at the back of the car. This creates a perpetual motion type look that makes the car seem as if it is moving even when standing still. A tip of the hat should be given to the design team for designing a tiny 5-door car that actually looks good and holds its proportions.

Fiat has outdone itself and the rest of the competition with the wide range of options in the Panda line. People looking for a citycar will be able to find anything they need/want in their cars.