Used Fiat Panda 2012-2024 review

With prices starting from £2000, is now the time to buy a Fiat Panda or Panda 4x4? If you want a quirky baby hatchback that can also offer genuine off-road ability, there’s only one car for the job: the Fiat Panda. The third generation of the ever-so-cute Italian, launched in 2011, added a cheeky and cuddly look, improved interior technology and greater refinement to its famous versatility.“The Panda is one of those cars that is exceptionally hard to be harsh to, one that revels in being what it is: a wonderfully compact, fun car,” was our summary when we road tested it at the time.Its ease of use and classless appeal helped earn the Panda an impressive 4.5-star verdict, trouncing rivals in a segment that was then full of overachievers – the Volkswagen Up chief among them.Fast forward to 2025 and the Panda is accessible to all, with well-used, high-mileage examples available for less than £2000. If your budget is tight, you will end up with a Panda powered by either a 68bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder or 84bhp turbocharged 0.9-litre two-cylinder petrol engine.The 1.2 is fine if you intend to use the Panda for city hops, but it feels a bit sluggish on a rural road or motorway. It’s smooth and a little more refined than the thrummy-sounding Twinair, but then that can be comfortably driven around town and up the motorway.A tidy Twinair with around 50k to 60k miles on the clock should set you back around £3500, but it’s well worth spending the extra cash – and some versions of the Twinair won’t cost you a penny in road tax. There’s also a 1.3-litre four-cylinder diesel, the Multijet, which has more than enough grunt and will easily manage around 50mpg.If you’re after more fun from your city car, plus all-terrain usability, the Panda 4x4 is the one to go for, with its increased ride height, bright skidplates and chunky styling.The 4x4 rides acceptably, thanks to its small alloys and soft springs, and because it’s primarily front-driven (power is diverted to the rear in the event of slip), it’s as fun to drive as a standard Panda, albeit with a bit more roll.For proper green-laning, you will want the Panda Cross. It’s a proper trooper, with more prominent skidplates, a dedicated off-road driving mode that locks the differential for permanent four-wheel drive and hill descent control. A tidy, 60k-mile example will be around £2000 dearer than a standard 4x4 in similar condition.Inside, the Panda shows its cheaper side with plenty of hard-wearing, scratchy plastics, but it’s nevertheless pleasant to ride around in, with an airy ambience.If you’re after some modern touches, we would point you towards the facelifted Panda, which arrived in 2020 and could be had with a 7.0in infotainment touchscreen that benefits from smartphone mirroring.That facelift also introduced a 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild hybrid. It’s easy to operate around town and the electrical system gives a bit of extra poke. Mind you, the three-pot is pretty staid and you have to work hard to get it up to speed – plus it will fall 10 short of the official 46mpg.The 4x4 versions are even more charming inside, with colourful dashboard trim pieces and funky patterns on the seats. Space inside is best described as adequate, as the rear bench can only seat two passengers.The boot is large enough for your weekly food shop but little more. Space limitations and material quality are easily overlooked in a car like the Panda, though.No other city car pulls at your heartstrings in the same way or offers as much fun, whether you’re bumbling around town or tackling the rough stuff.

Apr 24, 2025 - 08:17

With prices starting from £2000, is now the time to buy a Fiat Panda or Panda 4x4? If you want a quirky baby hatchback that can also offer genuine off-road ability, there’s only one car for the job: the Fiat Panda. The third generation of the ever-so-cute Italian, launched in 2011, added a cheeky and cuddly look, improved interior technology and greater refinement to its famous versatility.“The Panda is one of those cars that is exceptionally hard to be harsh to, one that revels in being what it is: a wonderfully compact, fun car,” was our summary when we road tested it at the time.Its ease of use and classless appeal helped earn the Panda an impressive 4.5-star verdict, trouncing rivals in a segment that was then full of overachievers – the Volkswagen Up chief among them.Fast forward to 2025 and the Panda is accessible to all, with well-used, high-mileage examples available for less than £2000. If your budget is tight, you will end up with a Panda powered by either a 68bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder or 84bhp turbocharged 0.9-litre two-cylinder petrol engine.The 1.2 is fine if you intend to use the Panda for city hops, but it feels a bit sluggish on a rural road or motorway. It’s smooth and a little more refined than the thrummy-sounding Twinair, but then that can be comfortably driven around town and up the motorway.A tidy Twinair with around 50k to 60k miles on the clock should set you back around £3500, but it’s well worth spending the extra cash – and some versions of the Twinair won’t cost you a penny in road tax. There’s also a 1.3-litre four-cylinder diesel, the Multijet, which has more than enough grunt and will easily manage around 50mpg.If you’re after more fun from your city car, plus all-terrain usability, the Panda 4x4 is the one to go for, with its increased ride height, bright skidplates and chunky styling.The 4x4 rides acceptably, thanks to its small alloys and soft springs, and because it’s primarily front-driven (power is diverted to the rear in the event of slip), it’s as fun to drive as a standard Panda, albeit with a bit more roll.For proper green-laning, you will want the Panda Cross. It’s a proper trooper, with more prominent skidplates, a dedicated off-road driving mode that locks the differential for permanent four-wheel drive and hill descent control. A tidy, 60k-mile example will be around £2000 dearer than a standard 4x4 in similar condition.Inside, the Panda shows its cheaper side with plenty of hard-wearing, scratchy plastics, but it’s nevertheless pleasant to ride around in, with an airy ambience.If you’re after some modern touches, we would point you towards the facelifted Panda, which arrived in 2020 and could be had with a 7.0in infotainment touchscreen that benefits from smartphone mirroring.That facelift also introduced a 1.0-litre three-cylinder mild hybrid. It’s easy to operate around town and the electrical system gives a bit of extra poke. Mind you, the three-pot is pretty staid and you have to work hard to get it up to speed – plus it will fall 10 short of the official 46mpg.The 4x4 versions are even more charming inside, with colourful dashboard trim pieces and funky patterns on the seats. Space inside is best described as adequate, as the rear bench can only seat two passengers.The boot is large enough for your weekly food shop but little more. Space limitations and material quality are easily overlooked in a car like the Panda, though.No other city car pulls at your heartstrings in the same way or offers as much fun, whether you’re bumbling around town or tackling the rough stuff.