A charming and well-sorted small car that has plenty of appealing traits. - 2023 Fiat Panda Review
1Building excellent small cars is something Fiat does extremely well, so it’s no surprise to find the Fiat Panda is one of the best models in its class. Boot space is average and you don't get much kit, though
It might not have the retro looks of the Fiat 500, but the Panda is stylish. Its upright body means there’s plenty of room inside and all models come with five doors for great access. Interior quality might not be up to the standards of a Volkswagen Up, but it’s fair to say that Fiat has harnessed a decent amount of charm.
The Panda feels at its best in the city, where its small dimensions make it perfect for weaving through congested streets and squeezing into tight parking spaces. Small engines mean the Panda is also cheap to run, but not best-suited to fast-moving motorway traffic, where it can feel a little out of breath.
There are two body styles available. The first is the regular Panda, which is available on the base trim and looks like a typical city car. You also have the Cross, which can be found on the three other trims, called Red, Garmin and Top. This has some extra body cladding and other rugged-looking features that give it some baby off-roader style.
The Fiat Panda is a quirky small car that's affordable but above all else fun
Pandas are cheap cars, which means standard equipment is pretty basic and includes items such as central locking, six airbags, a CD player and power steering that can be lightened at the touch of a button.
Overall, the Fiat Panda is a charming and well-sorted small car that has plenty of appealing traits. The space on offer is quite impressive for such tiny dimensions, it’s cheap to buy and run and is abundant in style and character.
There are a few rough edges here and there, and rivals such as the Kia Picanto and Volkswagen Up are very tempting alternatives to the funky Fiat. However, the Panda has a lot going for it, and is a much more capable all-rounder than the alternatives.
It’s definitely worth considering if you’re in the market for such a car, so why not check out our Fiat Panda deals to see how much you could save? Or you could find a great deal on a used Fiat Panda from our network of trusted dealers, as well as browsing other used Fiats. When the time comes to sell your car, carwow can help with that, too.
The Fiat Panda’s steering is very light, making it easy to drive in town, but it can be quite uncomfortable at low speeds
The Panda is a really good town runabout because the power steering features a handy city button, which makes it light and easy to use when completing low-speed manoeuvres such as three-point turns and reverse parking.
It’s also surprisingly capable on motorway journeys – you’ll have to wring the engines out to make brisk progress, but there’s an impressive amount of refinement at higher speeds.
That being said, there are a few niggles with the way the Panda drives. Although it’s quite fun to steer down twisty roads, the tiny 14-inch wheels fitted to basic models are wrapped in small tyres that run out of grip quite quickly if you really hoof it down your favourite country road. The ride quality can also get a bit fidgety at times, though admittedly it does smooth out as you go faster.
The Fiat Panda’s steering is very light, making it easy to drive in town, but it can be quite uncomfortable at low speeds
The Panda is a really good town runabout because the power steering features a handy city button, which makes it light and easy to use when completing low-speed manoeuvres such as three-point turns and reverse parking.
It’s also surprisingly capable on motorway journeys – you’ll have to wring the engines out to make brisk progress, but there’s an impressive amount of refinement at higher speeds.
That being said, there are a few niggles with the way the Panda drives. Although it’s quite fun to steer down twisty roads, the tiny 14-inch wheels fitted to basic models are wrapped in small tyres that run out of grip quite quickly if you really hoof it down your favourite country road. The ride quality can also get a bit fidgety at times, though admittedly it does smooth out as you go faster.
Some of the plastics are disappointingly hard and scratchy but the funky design more than compensates for small shortcomings
The Panda’s body design is inspired by what Fiat dubs a “squircle” theme, and this has been carried over to the interior – the dial binnacles, button layouts, gear lever and even the steering wheel have a rounded square shape! Thankfully, the Panda’s cabin isn’t just funky to look at, it also feels robust if a little low on the soft-touch materials that you get in an Up.