car tests

A Panda for everyone

Good news for Panda lovers: Fiat is introducing not one, but two new Panda’s this year: the compact Pandina and the larger Grande Panda. The Pandina is basically the current Panda with some technical updates and a new name. But the real new star at Fiat is the Grande Panda: a completely new model that is a big fat nod to the Panda from the 1980s.

How big is the Grande Panda anyway?

The name may suggest a colossal SUV, but at 3.99 meters in length, the Grande Panda is primarily a practical hatchback. It offers a luggage space of 361 liters. That’s some 50 liters more than the Citroën C3 offers, a car with which it shares its technology and platform. The back seat is a bit tighter compared to the French car, but adults still sit there reasonably comfortably. Children have nothing to complain about there anyway.

Electric or hybrid

The Grande Panda is available as an all-electric car and as a hybrid. The electric variant delivers 83 kW (113 hp) and has a 44 kWh battery, good for a WLTP range of 320 km. In practice, count on about 250 kilometers in normal weather conditions. The hybrid version features a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor, together good for 74 kW (100 hp). Shifting is always done with an automatic.

Surprisingly mature

The Grande Panda drives surprisingly maturely for a car in this segment. Although it does not have the hydraulic bumpstops of the Citroën C3 – a kind of extra cushion on the struts – it hardly compromises on comfort and feels just a bit more dynamic. The seats are pleasantly soft, but thanks to firm side cheeks, they offer plenty of lateral support.

Swift sat

Performance is fine, especially considering its class. With a 0-100 km/h time of 11 seconds, it is no street monster, but what car in this segment is? Moreover, thanks to the readily available torque from the electric motor, it shoots forward smoothly for the first few meters and maintains its pace even at higher speeds. The top speed of 132 km/h is simply sufficient for daily use, but overtaking on the highway after seven in the evening is a must.

Charging performance

The electric Grande Panda E can do 11 kW AC charging and 100 kW DC charging, giving you an 80 percent charge again within 30 minutes. A clever extra is the integrated charging cable, which you pull out of the nose of the car – a bit like a vacuum cleaner. This means you never have to fish a charging cable out of a mud puddle again. But there is a downside: this built-in cable supports up to 7 kW of charging power. Our advice? If you have time to charge quietly at home or at work at night or during the day, this handy spiral cable is a genius addition.

Ode to the primal Panda

Fiat borrowed heavily from the original 1980s Panda in the design of the Grande Panda. The angular dashboard, square front and rear lights and oval-shaped dashboard allude to the classic Panda and the bowl court atop the old Fiat factory – the Lingotto – in Turin. Even the glove box is a subtle nod to the past.

Sustainable and innovative

Despite the hefty retro sauce, Fiat is firmly committed to sustainability. The Grande Panda uses recycled aluminum and plastic, some of it derived from milk cartons. The interior of the La Prima version is also covered in bamboo fiber. Not only does it look nice, it is also sustainable.

Designs and prices

The electric Grande Panda is available as La Prima and RED, the hybrid as La Prima and ICON. The base price of the Grande Panda – both gasoline and electric – is 25,990 euros, which is higher than the Citroën e-C3 (24,300 euros). On the other hand, it comes thick in its stuff as standard, with air conditioning, a 10-inch infotainment screen, a 10-inch digital instrument cluster, LED lighting and cruise control. Those who opt for the La Prima (29,000 euros) get 17-inch rims, navigation, a rearview camera, parking sensors and a wireless phone charger, among other things.

Conclusion

The Fiat Grande Panda is a cheerful addition to the B-segment. It combines retro design with modern technology, offers a practical interior and offers something for everyone in terms of powertrains. The brilliant charging cable makes it extra special. It is not as cheap as the Citroën e-C3, but it is a stylish and practical alternative. Whether it will become as iconic as the archetypal Panda? Time will tell! In the video below, we tell you more about the Fiat: