Fiat Panda variants
Total price
Monthly payment
Figures are based on a 20% deposit

Finance representative example (PCP)

Total cash price £8,999. Borrowing £7,199 with a £1,800 deposit at a representative APR of 12.9%.

49 monthly payments
£144.48
Fixed interest rate
12.9%
Total amount payable
£11,578.22
Cost of credit
£2,579.22
Optional final payment
£2,843.00
Annual mileage limit
6000 miles

Fiat Panda buying guide

You'll find the Fiat Panda comes in a few different trims with a choice of different engines. We'll explain them in more detail here so you can choose the version that suits you best.

What Fiat Panda trim levels are there?

Pop was, until 2022, the entry-level trim for the Panda. This is the essence of simple transportation, with just a radio and a stop-start system.

Stepping up one stage takes you to Easy trim. Here, you find air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver's seat, roof rails and central locking. From 2022, this trim was renamed to Life and is now the entry point to the Panda range.

Lounge takes yet another step up. You get Bluetooth connectivity with a smartphone cradle allowing you to use your device as an infotainment screen, along with front fog lights, split-folding rear seats and 15-inch alloy wheels.

4x4 is a trim level previously offered on Pandas that came with a four-wheel drive system that'll take the Panda surprisingly far off-road. You get chunky, black plastic bumpers and a similar kit level to Lounge trim.

Next up is Cross and City Cross. These both have the same SUV-inspired styling that looks even chunkier than 4x4 trim – the distinction being Cross models include four-wheel drive, while City Cross are front-wheel drive. Again, equipment levels are similar to Lounge trim but, this time, with the addition of automatic climate control.

There are also several limited editions Panda models, including collaborations with Waze, Garmin, the (Red) charity and the Trussardi fashion brand. These are worth keeping an eye out for because they often include unique upholstery and a generous helping of optional extras.

What's the Fiat Panda's interior and technology like?

Sit behind the wheel in the Panda and you'll notice lots of rounded-off squares, or squared circles depending on your point of view. Either way, this 'squircle' motif is repeated on the heater controls, steering wheel and door panels, helping to give the cabin a sense of style. The materials are mostly hard and plasticky, but special editions do drop in a dash of bright colour here and there to help lift the ambiance.

More affordable Pandas only come with a radio, while upgraded models include the ability to connect your phone via Bluetooth. This is quite tricky without a built-in screen to pair the phone but, once you finally connect everything, it's handy enough that you can use your preferred entertainment source. Recent top-spec versions include a touchscreen infotainment system with most of the key functions you'd expect included, although the screen is small and the graphics are far from the class best.

The Panda is a very small car at around 3.7 metres long, but there's still enough space to seat adults. Rear legroom will be a bit of a squeeze for taller passengers but they won't be complaining about headroom thanks to the Panda's tall cabin. Boot space is towards the larger end of this class – there's nothing especially clever about the use of space but the car's flat back means there's a reasonable amount of height available for cargo.

Fiat Panda engine range explained

The Panda is an affordable, lightweight car, so is only offered with a selection of efficient petrol engines. None are especially quick, so choose the version that suits your budget best.

Fiat Panda 1.2

This is the most common engine you'll find on Pandas made until the end of 2021. It's a fairly simple 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol without a turbocharger. There's just 69hp available so the 0-62mph sprint takes a leisurely 14 seconds. That means it'll be fine around town but may feel a little underpowered if you're overtaking fast-moving traffic on the motorway. Fuel consumption shouldn't fall below 40mpg in normal driving, however.

Fiat Panda 1.0 Hybrid

This engine was introduced to the range in 2020 and became the only power option available from late 2022. Don't be fooled by the name – this 1.0-litre, 70hp unit isn't a full or self-driving hybrid and can't drive on electric power alone. Instead, the small mild-hybrid system provides a little assistance under acceleration using energy recaptured when you're slowing down. The 0-62mph run is completed around a second faster than the 1.2 but this is still a car that does its best work at lower speeds. You should be able to average around 50mpg if you drive with a light right foot.

Fiat Panda 0.9 TwinAir 90

There isn't a 'fast' engine in the Panda lineup but the 0.9-litre TwinAir, made until late 2022, is about as close as it gets. This is a tiny 900cc two-cylinder petrol engine with an equally tiny turbocharger to give it an extra kick. Older models made 90hp with more recent versions dropping to 85hp in pursuit of better economy. There's noticeably more torque available when you floor it than the non-turbo engines and the 0-62mph run is shaved down to less than 13 seconds. Average economy stands around 40mpg if you can avoid indulging in the entertainingly buzzy performance.

Fiat Panda FAQs

Fiat's reputation in reliability surveys leaves a little to be desired. In our experience, however, most of the problems reported with the brand's cars relate to the larger, more expensive, more complicated models.

The Panda, on the other hand, is a very simple car, especially if you pick a 1.2-litre model that lacks a hybrid system or turbocharger setup. This engine has seen reliable service in Fiat cars for more than two decades and won't shock you with parts or servicing costs, either.

You can specify an extended warranty when you buy your Panda for extra peace of mind. This will cover you in the event of an unexpected mechanical or electrical failure.

There's just one version of the Fiat Panda – a compact, five-door hatchback body with either four or five seats. You'll also find the charming but slightly less practical Fiat 500 based on the same platform, or you can step up to the Fiat 500X SUV if you need even more interior space.

The Panda measures in at around 3.7 metres long. That means it's one of the smallest cars you can buy in the UK but it's still a little larger than the Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo and Volkswagen Up.

Parking will be easy in the city thanks to the tiny dimensions and flat rear windscreen, but it's a shame that rear parking sensors are optional across the whole range.

Considering no Fiat Panda is ever going to win a traffic light drag race, we'd just choose the engine that's the most affordable and easily available to you. The 1.2-litre, non-turbo petrol is easy to use and the most affordable option, while the 1.0-litre hybrid and 0.9-litre TwinAir turbo offer more efficiency and more power respectively in exchange for a slightly higher purchase price.

Yes. Four-wheel drive is fitted to Pandas in 4x4 and Cross trim – but not the similar-looking City Cross models. This system is designed for light-duty off-road driving so don't expect to go rock crawling in your Panda.

Most buyers will be better off going for the faster and more-efficient front-wheel-drive setup. You can even use these models all-year round with confidence if you fit winter tyres over the colder months.

The rear seats in a Panda do fold forward allowing you to carry much larger items. They don't go totally flat, however, so you might have to lift whatever you're hauling over a slight lip to get it into position in the Panda's boot.

Certain Pandas in entry-level Pop trim didn't include air conditioning as standard. Fiat occasionally added it to the lineup and then removed it again throughout the Panda's lifecycle. All cars in Lounge trim and above do include air con, however, with top-spec models even gaining the option of automatic climate control.

As standard, the Fiat Panda includes four seats. However, most models sold in the UK include the five-seat interior option, which adds a third seatbelt to the rear row.

Back-seat space will still be incredibly cramped with three passengers in place, however, so this is only really suitable for very short journeys.