Used Fiat Panda 2012-present review

Viewed through the wide-angle lens of a historian, you might be tempted to say that no one makes small cars like Fiat. The Italian firm has been responsible for some of the most iconic urban runabouts over the past 60 years or so.

All of these diminutive tots displayed great flair on the surface and intelligent engineering underneath – enough to make them appeal to whole generations in their home country as the go-to cars of the people. The original Panda, one of those highly successful small cars, was a practical masterpiece. The second won the coveted European Car of the Year Award. This third-gen model is more efficient, more comfortable and more advanced in technology.

Now, there are plenty of these Pandas on the used market and they make very attractive purchases for those looking for economical urban motoring mixed in with a little Italian style and a healthy wedge of practicality.

There’s a choice of three engines, for one: a 68bhp 1.2-litre petrol, a 0.9 Twinair with 84bhp and a 74bhp 1.3-litre diesel. Later, post-facelift, 2020 Cross models came with only a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder mild-hybrid engine. Four-wheel drive is available on the 4x4 version and, from its launch in 2015, on the raised-up and toughened up Panda Cross model.

As for the trim levels, there are three key ones to choose from - Pop, Easy and Lounge. The entry-level model comes with electric front windows, a height-adjustable steering and hill hold assist, while upgrading to the Easy model adds remote central locking, air conditioning and roof rails. The range-topping Lounge trim gives the Panda 15in alloy wheels, front fog lights, a six-speaker sound system and Fiat's Uconnect infotainment system complete with USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

For those opting for the more rugged Panda 4x4 or the tougher Panda Cross, fear not, these both come with their own trim specification, with the former including 15in alloys, electrically adjustable and heated wing mirrors, and a height-adjustable driver's seat. The latter includes swish silver roof bars, climate control, LED day-running-lights, all-wheel drive and three driving modes, and mud and snow tyres.

On the road, the 1.2 petrol is no ball of fire, but it’s fine around town. If you regularly head beyond the city limits, then you should consider the diesel; it feels stronger and more flexible than the petrol, so is better at keeping up with traffic on faster roads. Twinair versions have a fair bit of mid-range muscle, but are gutless at very low revs and breathless at high ones.

Alas, refinement isn't great, either. The Panda's a little noisy by modern standards, and the ride's unsettled. It steers well, mark you, and its handling is safe and predictable if a little uninspiring.

Most of the fabrics and materials in the interior are of reasonable quality, and the driving position is straight and upright. There's plenty of head room front and back, although rear leg room is more limited for taller passengers. The boot is a useful size, and square in shape, so easy to load stuff into and get things out of.

So, the Panda's good-looking, cheap to run and full of charm. It’s not as much fun to drive as it once was, perhaps, and other more sophisticated rivals have come along and trumped it for agility and refinement, and definitely for safety.

But if you’re after a cheap city runabout that can do some of the things that larger cars can at a cost they cannot match, a used Panda still has a lot going for it. Do bear in mind though that Euro NCAP tested the admittedly ageing Panda in 2019 and it scored zero stars for safety.

A facelift in 2020 resulted in only the Panda Cross version being offered from new in the UK. Two more variants, named the City and Sport, now sit alongside it. Models come equipped with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder mild-hybrid engine. This harvests kinetic energy during braking and deceleration, which is stored in the battery. This enables the engine to shut down to conserve fuel when coasting or at a standstill, and can also be used to assist acceleration. It makes a relatively humble 69bhp and needs a fairly hefty right foot to keep up with fast-moving traffic.

If you're interested in finding a used Panda, or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

You might find a Panda for around £2000, but it will be one with a high mileage or previous damage so it’s wiser to spend slightly more and secure one with an average mileage for the year, with a full service history and bought preferably from an independent dealer. If you think in the region of £3000 you'll buy a 2013 or 2014 model, while upping the dosh to between £4000 and £5000 nets you a very clean 2015 or 2016 car, or maybe even a 2017 one if you’re prepared to buy privately or from a trader. Around £5000 to £8000 nets a 2018 one, and anything over that should get you a 2019 or 2020 model.

MPG

On paper, the most economical Panda is the 0.9-litre Twinair two-cylinder petrol engine, with an average claimed fuel consumption of 67.3mpg under the older NEDC tests, in some trims. In real-world motoring, you’ll struggle to achieve anything like that, because the engine needs to be pushed quite hard to keep up with traffic. However, it has a character and charm that's all its own.

The regular 1.2-litre petrol returns a claimed average 55.4mpg under the NEDC tests, making it the default choice for most people. The 1.3-litre Multijet diesel unit claims 64.2mpg in certain versions, although we feel the lumpy nature of this engine rather goes against the suave nature the Panda displays in all other areas.

The later mild-hybrid Panda Cross claims a WLTP figure of 49.6mpg, although given the verve with which you sometimes have to drive it to keep pace it's unlikely to come anywhere near this in real-world motoring.

Road tax

Cars registered before 1 April 2017 are charged annual car tax (VED) according to their CO2 emissions. Current charges, for cars registered after 1 April 2017, are £155 per year for petrol and diesel vehicles, while hybrid owners will be charged £145 per year. First-year car tax rates, which depend on CO2 emissions, will be higher. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here for further information.

Insurance

Insurance groups are suitably low, ranging from 3 to 10 in the top-spec, raised-up, pseudo-SUV Cross versions, and annual VED road tax is low across the range, thanks to those reasonable on-paper economy figures.

Servicing

Servicing is cheap, too, either at a Fiat dealer or at an independent firm. Parts for Pandas are plentiful.

The 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol is one of the Panda’s better engines. It’s not particularly powerful but it copes just fine with around-town work and feels comparatively willing. It’s smooth, too, and should prove efficient enough for most.

You don’t get much kit in the entry-level Pop trim. It comes with steel wheels, a trip computer, electric front windows, a basic stereo, central locking and a height-adjustable driver’s seat and steering column. Easy is the trim level we’d aim for. It adds air-con, which is a major plus, as well as remote central locking, an upgraded stereo and roof rails.

Our favourite Fiat Panda 1.2 Easy

In some ways, the Panda’s biggest problem is not the car itself, which is reasonably perky and full of charm, but how good its closest rivals now are.

The Hyundai i10 is refined and its interior is surprisingly roomy. The 1.2 engine is gutsy enough for motorway use, it’s economical and it can easily deal with rutted road surfaces and roundabouts. In top-spec trim, it’s well equipped, too, with sat-nav, DAB and Apple CarPlay, as well as a 7.0in touchscreen. It’s one of our favourite city cars.

The Volkswagen Up is also one of our favourites. It’s economical, handles well, is comfortable to be in and is smarter inside than most cars in this class. In addition, it’s worth checking out its siblings, the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo – both good-looking and characterful cars that make excellent sense on the used car market.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here

If you're interested in finding a used Panda, or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.