Essai, spécifications, prix et plus de la Fiat Panda

When I first bought the Fiat Panda, it was meant to be a temporary runabout—a cheap little city car to get me from A to B. I didn’t expect to fall in love with it. But after nearly three years of ownership and over 40,000 miles, I can confidently say the Panda has far exceeded expectations. It’s not a car that impresses on paper, but in real life, it just works.

Quirky, frugal, and surprisingly capable, the Panda is proof that less can be more—if done right.

A Quick Overview

The Fiat Panda has been around since 1980, and the version I drove is the third generation, launched in 2011. Mine was a 2015 Panda 1.2 Pop, a base model with very little in the way of luxury—but a ton of charm. There’s also a TwinAir turbo version, a 4×4, and even a mild hybrid variant, but I stuck with the basic petrol engine for its simplicity and reliability.

It’s a compact city car with five doors, five seats (sort of), and a boot that’s big enough for shopping, but not much else. Yet somehow, the Panda punches way above its weight.

Styling – A Box With Personality

The Panda’s design is unashamedly boxy, and I love that. In a world where every small car is trying to look sporty or swoopy, the Panda is refreshingly square. The rounded-off edges and tall roofline give it a friendly, utilitarian vibe—like it’s here to help, not show off.

It’s not going to turn heads, but that’s not the point. The Panda has its own kind of charm: approachable, unpretentious, and practical. It also means great visibility—a huge plus in tight city streets or crowded car parks.

Interior and Practicality – Clever Use of Space

Step inside the Panda and you’ll find a cabin that’s basic, but very cleverly packaged. The materials are hard plastic throughout, but they’re tough and easy to wipe down. The dashboard is cheerful, with coloured inserts that match the bodywork on some trims. Even in my grey-on-grey base model, it felt honest, not cheap.

The seating position is high for a small car, giving a good view of the road. There’s enough headroom for tall drivers (I’m 6 feet) and plenty of light in the cabin thanks to the large windows.

Storage is excellent for a city car—door bins, dashboard trays, and a deep glovebox all help make the most of the space. The back seats are a bit tight for adults, but fine for kids or short trips.

The boot offers 225 litres of space, which grows to 870 litres with the rear seats folded. It’s not cavernous, but I’ve managed IKEA runs, camping trips, and weekly shops with some creative packing.

Driving Experience – Surprisingly Fun

Let’s be clear: the Panda is no hot hatch. With 69bhp from its 1.2-litre engine, it’s not fast—0 to 60 mph takes about 14 seconds, and hills can be a bit of a challenge. But in the city, it feels nippy, responsive, and light on its feet.

What really makes the Panda a joy to drive is its tiny footprint and featherweight feel. At around 950kg, it’s easy to chuck around town, and the steering is ultra-light—especially with the “City” mode engaged, which makes parking feel like turning a feather with your pinky.

The five-speed manual gearbox is smooth and easy to use, with a nice short throw. The clutch is light, and visibility is excellent, making it perfect for new drivers or those who just want a stress-free commute.

On the motorway, it’s a different story. At 70 mph, the engine buzzes loudly, and wind noise picks up. Overtaking takes planning, and you’ll find yourself shifting down a gear more often than not. But it’ll still sit comfortably at motorway speeds if you’re not in a rush.

Fuel Economy and Running Costs – Bare-Bones Cheap

One of the biggest reasons I bought the Panda was for its low running costs, and it didn’t disappoint. I averaged around 50 mpg in mixed driving, with 55+ achievable on long runs if I behaved myself.

The 1.2 engine is simple and robust. It doesn’t have a turbo, start-stop, or fancy electronics—just a timing belt, regular oil changes, and straightforward maintenance.

Road tax was low (pre-2017 models even qualify for £30 or zero tax), and insurance was about as cheap as you can get for a full-size car. Parts are abundant and affordable, and you can get tyres, brakes, and services done for pennies compared to more complex vehicles.

Reliability – Solid with the Right Maintenance

In three years of ownership, my Panda never left me stranded. The only real issues I had were:

• A coil pack failure (cheap and easy to replace)
• A sticky driver’s window switch
• The occasional dashboard rattle on cold mornings

That’s it. Start it up, drive it, top up fluids, and it’ll keep going. The 1.2 FIRE engine has been around forever, and while it lacks modern refinement, it makes up for it with bulletproof simplicity.

Just make sure to keep on top of servicing, especially fluids and belts, and you’ll likely avoid major headaches.

Infotainment and Features – Spartan but Serviceable

My Panda Pop came with the bare minimum: no touchscreen, no air con, no cruise control, no Bluetooth. It had a radio, a USB port, and that was it. Honestly, I didn’t mind.

Higher trims offer Uconnect infotainment with Bluetooth, DAB, and smartphone connectivity, but even then, it’s basic compared to modern systems. If you care about tech, you’ll need to upgrade—or just use your phone.

What it lacks in features, it makes up for in intuitive simplicity. No confusing menus, no overcomplicated screens—just big buttons and physical dials that do exactly what they’re meant to.

Safety – Fair for the Price Point

The Panda scored 3 stars in Euro NCAP testing, which isn’t stellar, but not terrible for its age and size. Safety equipment on the base model is minimal: dual front airbags, ABS, and not much else.

Later models and higher trims add ESP, hill-hold assist, and side airbags, but if safety is a priority, you’ll want to look at better-equipped versions—or newer alternatives.

That said, in the real world, it feels stable, easy to control, and predictable in how it drives.

Quirks and Everyday Observations

Every car has its quirks, and the Panda is no exception:

• The gearstick is oddly high up, mounted into the dashboard. It’s weird at first, but quickly becomes second nature.
• The “City” steering button makes the wheel so light you can spin it with a finger—great for tight parallel parking.
• Wind noise above 60 mph is noticeable, but not unbearable.
• The heating and ventilation controls feel a bit flimsy but work reliably.
• People constantly underestimate it—until they sit inside and realise how roomy it actually is.

Final Verdict – An Honest, Underrated Gem

The Fiat Panda isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. But in a world of overdesigned, overpriced crossovers, the Panda offers something refreshingly rare: honest, utilitarian charm.

It’s the kind of car that grows on you. It makes the school run, the commute, and the weekly shop simple. It never tries to dazzle, yet rarely disappoints.

If you’re after a low-cost, no-fuss daily driver that’s easy to live with and surprisingly fun to throw around town, the Panda more than fits the bill. It’s not for everyone, but for those who get it, it’s a joy.

Fiat Panda Scorecard

Specifications & Prices