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Fiat Panda

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Expert Rating

Fiat Panda

(2012 - present)

    Summary


    The Fiat Panda is a city car-sized five-door hatchback. Unusually, it is also offered either as a regular city car or as a 4×4 version with very decent off-roading ability that outperforms most conventional family SUVs.

    The current Panda was launched back in 2012 and has received minor updates throughout its life.

    In 2018, the Panda scored zero stars in a Euro NCAP crash test – the worst score ever recorded by the safety organisation. There has been substantial criticism of Fiat and calls for the car to be withdrawn from sale, but as of September 2023 it is still in production and on sale across Europe.

    Despite its safety record, the Fiat Panda continues to receive mostly positive reviews from the UK motoring media, although the scores have tended to gradually decline over time as they would for any car that has been on sale for almost a decade. The regular model Panda has been warmly praised for its city driving dynamics, while the 4×4 version is similarly acclaimed for its considerable off-road ability.

    As of September 2023, the Fiat Panda has an Expert Rating of 44% based on 34 reviews. That makes it one of the lowest-scoring new cars on sale.

    It’s a great shame that the Panda has such a terrible safety score, because the rest of the time it should very reliable and very cheap to run. According to exclusive costs provided to The Car Expert by our data partners (see below), it has outstanding results in our reliability and running cost categories.

    Key specifications


    Body style: Small five-door hatchback
    Engines: petrol (with mild hybrid assistance)
    Price: From £14,740 on-road

    Launched: Spring 2012
    Last updated: Spring 2019
    Replacement due: TBA


    Media reviews


    Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

    The Car Expert

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    Auto Express

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    Autocar

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    Car

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    Car Keys

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    Carbuyer

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    Carwow

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    Daily Mail

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    Evo

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    Green Car Guide

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    Heycar

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    Honest John

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    Parkers

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    The Sun

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    The Sunday Times

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    The Telegraph

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    Top Gear

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    What Car?

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    Which?

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    Safety rating


    Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

    Overall score: 0 stars
    Date tested: December 2018
    Read the full Euro NCAP review

    Adult protection: 45%
    Child protection: 16%
    Vulnerable road users: 47%
    Safety assist: 7%

    Note about the Euro NCAP rating

    The current Fiat Panda was first tested by Euro NCAP when it was originally launched in 2011 and scored four stars. However, safety standards have increased over the course of this decade.

    When the Panda was re-tested in 2018 against the latest criteria, it scored zero stars. In fact, it was the worst new car result in Euro NCAP’s history. The safety organisation said: “With nothing more than a seatbelt reminder scoring points in Euro NCAP’s Safety Assist box, the vehicle fails to reach even a single star.”

    Eco rating


    Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

    Model tested: 0.9 Twinair 4×2 manual

    Overall score: 0 stars
    Date tested: February 2019
    Read the full Green NCAP review

    Clean Air Index: 0 / 10
    Energy Efficiency Index: 6 / 10

    Model tested: 1.2 8V Petrol 4X2 Manual

    Overall score: 2.5 stars
    Date tested: February 2021
    Read the full Green NCAP review

    Clean Air Index: 4.3 / 10
    Energy Efficiency Index: 5.7 / 10
    Greenhouse Gas Index: 4.8 / 10

    Additional eco rating

    The Fiat Panda 1.2-litre petrol manual received a 2.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021. This is a separate result from the one illustrated above, which is for the 0.9-litre engine.

    Green NCAP said: “The car is tested here with the four cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine, now Euro 6d-Temp compliant. With only a three-way catalyst by way of exhaust after-treatment, control of pollutant emissions is limited and, in the more challenging tests – cold ambient temperature, high-load highway – CO is high enough for all points to be lost. However, even without a gasoline particulate filter, particulate number is never excessive, in the laboratory or on the road. Energy efficiency is not impressive for such a small car.

    “Overall, the Panda 1.2 petrol delivers respectable performance all-round and achieves a fair 2½ star rating.”

    The written rating only applies to the 1.2-litre petrol manual version of the Fiat Panda, while the illustrated example only applies to the 0.9-litre petrol manual version. These results do not imply similar ratings for any other engine and gearbox combinations in the range.

    Reliability rating

    MotorEasy logo 600x167

    Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

    All data based on MotorEasy average workshop costs for extended car warranty claims

    As of November 2022, the Fiat Panda has an excellent reliability score of 70%, according to exclusive extended warranty data provided by our partners at MotorEasy. This score covers both the current-generation Panda and the previous (pre-2012) version, although it’s based on only a small number of repair claims to date.

    In addition to being very reliable, the Panda is one of the cheapest new cars to repair if it goes wrong, with an average repair bill of about £150.

    A third of all reported problems with the Panda relate to its suspension, with an average repair bill of £140. The other area to look out for is the braking system, where repairs are about £200.

    If you’re looking at a used Fiat Panda, make sure any extended warranty cover you purchase covers all of these potential problem areas.

    Running cost rating

    Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

    Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

    Fuel consumptionAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models55 mpgB37 – 58 mpgB – D
    CO₂ outputAverageScoreVariationScore
    Petrol models111 g/kmA108 – 168 g/kmA – C
    Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
    All models7A2 – 12A – A
    Service and maintenanceCostScore
    Year 1£115A
    Year 2£373A
    Year 3£603A
    Year 4£788A
    Year 5£1,077A
    Overall£2,956A

    The Fiat Panda is a very cheap car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

    The only thing stopping the Panda from getting a perfect set of straight-A scores is its fuel economy, which scores a B and is merely ‘very good’ rather than ‘outstanding’. However, for a petrol-powered car with no hybrid assistance (mild hybrids don’t really count), this is actually an excellent score.

    You will struggle to find a car that’s cheaper to live with than a Fiat Panda.

    Awards


    Trophies, prizes and awards that the Fiat Panda has received

    2021

    • 4×4 Magazine Awards – Best Crossover (Panda Cross)

    2019

    • 4×4 Magazine Awards – Best Crossover (Panda Cross)

    2018

    • 4×4 Magazine Awards – Best Crossover (Panda Cross)

    2014

    • Towcar of the Year Awards – Best tow car under £16,500

    2013

    • 4×4 Magazine Awards – Best Mini 4×4 (Panda 4×4)

    2012

    • BBC Top Gear Awards – SUV of the Year (Panda 4×4)

    Similar cars


    Citroën C1 | Fiat 500 | Hyundai i10Kia Picanto | Peugeot 108 | SEAT Mii | Skoda Citigo | Smart Forfour | Suzuki Ignis | Suzuki Jimny | Toyota Aygo | Volkswagen Up!


    More news, reviews and information about the Fiat Panda at The Car Expert

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    Pricing and specs for Fiat 500 and Panda mild hybrids

    Pricing and specs for Fiat 500 and Panda mild hybrids

    Geneva: Is Fiat Centoventi concept the next Panda?

    Geneva: Is Fiat Centoventi concept the next Panda?

    Fiat Panda branded a ‘zero-star car’ for safety

    Fiat Panda branded a ‘zero-star car’ for safety

    Fiat Panda Cross review

    Fiat Panda Cross review

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    The Car Expert has the ultimate ranking of the best and worst new cars on sale, based on scores from 30 of the top UK motoring websites. We'll be adding more cars and more lists all the time, so keep checking back for the latest results.

    Despite its poor safety record, the Fiat Panda continues to receive mostly positive media reviews, although the scores have tended to decline over time.Fiat Panda