Review – Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid: little ones get big

February 18, 2026

The original Fiat Panda launched in 1980 was designed for affordable mobility in the narrow streets of Italy. The angular model was very basic and cleverly designed to keep purchase and running costs as low as possible. What people did not know at the time is that it would become a car of unprecedented cult status. The first generation alone (1980-2003) sold 4.5 million units.

In subsequent years, the Panda became more rounded and modern. Very different in looks from the original Panda, but still compact, economical, affordable and relatively practical. The third generation of the Panda (2011) continued the success of the first two generations and is even still on sale new in the Netherlands under the pet name “Pandina.

Added together, the counter now stands at 8.5 million units sold worldwide. This makes the Fiat Panda one of the best-selling Italian cars of all time. Given its success, you would think that the fourth generation of the Panda would be on the same lines as its predecessor, but partly due to strict regulations and changing customer needs, Fiat took a different path.

The Fiat Panda is now ‘Grande’

The latest model has clearly grown and goes by the name Fiat Grande Panda. It is longer, wider and taller than the Pandina, which also puts it in the larger B-segment. Parked among other cars, the Fiat Grande Panda looks anything but small. It is no longer a traditional city car, as such a car is hardly profitable due to the current regulations around safety and the environment and the high development costs involved. Moreover, the brand already offers the Fiat 500 and Fiat Pandina if you really want to drive small.

Apart from its size, the 3.99-meter-long Grande Panda also stands a bit higher on its wheels, without immediately wanting to be an SUV. The entry level is therefore slightly higher than average, which perfectly matches what many buyers are looking for these days. Still, the Fiat Grande Panda is not your average crossover and that is mainly in its design.

Fiat drew inspiration for the design from the archetypal Panda. The angular shapes are clearly a nod to the past. On the front end, you can see those influences combined with modern details. The pixelated LED lighting gives the car a digital look with a retro touch. Because of its angular theme, someone even called the Grande Panda a “Minecraft car” – a description that sticks surprisingly well.

Around the car are more references to Fiat’s history. The slanted five stripes from the old Fiat logo return in several places, even on a lenticular plate on the C-pillar. Also notable: the Panda name is stamped into the door panels, as is “FIAT” in the tailgate. No separate badges, but branding literally embedded in the steel. Smart, distinctive and cost-conscious. A detail we also know from the first generation Panda 4×4.

Playful interior

Inside, the retro line is cheerfully continued. The interior looks fresh and playful, with the same distinctive shade of blue as in previous generations of the Panda. The entire dashboard is designed to be original, colorful and functional. Thereby, the instrument cluster and infotainment screen are framed by a striking yellow oval border, inspired by the test track on the roof of the old Fiat factory in Turin. The curve of that oval even incorporates a small archetypal Panda. It’s pronounced, you have to love it, but it makes for an interior that clearly stands out.

On top of the dashboard on the passenger side is the so-called Bambox. This is a lockable storage compartment with bamboo fiber lining on the outside. Fiat gives the car a sustainable accent with this, without it feeling forced. Beneath this is another traditional glovebox, providing excellent storage space in the front.

Otherwise, the operation of various functions is nice and conventional. Things like climate control, seat and steering wheel heating are operated via physical buttons – something almost refreshing in this day and age. The infotainment screen is easy to read and responsive enough. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work smoothly: get in, start and you’re instantly connected.

Material choices and practical details

We would have preferred the choice of materials for the center console to be different. The black oval part with the yellow border fits the theme of the interior perfectly, but it is largely made of high-gloss black plastic. This material is often used to create a high-quality look at low cost, but it is extremely scratchy. Our test car had less than 1,000 kilometers on the odometer and already showed signs of use in this area. Fingerprints are also very visible due to the shiny top layer.

On the other hand, Fiat did not skimp on practicality. Front and rear USB sockets are present, allowing rear seat passengers to charge their devices as well. That is still not a given everywhere in this segment. Between the front seats you can store two cups and other small items, and in the front there is a wireless phone charger.

All in all, the Fiat Grande Panda is a pleasant ride. The seats offer sufficient support, look amusing with those square patterns and are comfortable enough for longer trips. In the back, the Grande Panda is roomier than expected. It is not a full-fledged family car, but for two children and even adults who are not above average in height, legroom is fine. Luggage space is also decent for this segment. In daily use, you won’t lack much.

Fine drive

The Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid is powered by a newly developed hybrid system. Officially, it is a mild-hybrid, but in practice, the car is remarkably often able to drive fully electric. In city traffic, at low speeds and during maneuvers, it regularly drives without the gasoline engine kicking in.

The 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine jumps on only when needed and shuts off just as easily. If you let off the gas, the engine shuts off almost immediately, even at higher speeds. Every time you release the gas pedal, the regenerative braking system kicks in. Without braking, you feel that the car does not roll out freely, but slows down slightly faster due to the resistance of the generator that is currently charging the battery. The tuning of this system is top notch and contributes to the pleasant handling. It is also striking that the electric motor even has a kind of two-step operation, which you sometimes hear at low speeds. Unusual, but technically cleverly thought out. You could easily call this a mild-hybrid system 2.0. It sits between a traditional mild-hybrid and full-hybrid in terms of operation.

In terms of performance, the Fiat Grande Panda does not disappoint. The drive system accounts for power and torque of 81 kW (110 hp) and 205 Nm. With four people and a fully loaded trunk, it accelerates to 120 km/h on the highway without any difficulty. In city traffic, driving the Fiat Grande Panda is especially smooth and effortless. The steering is light and parking in tight spaces is a piece of cake. Our gasoline consumption hovers around 5.6 l/100 km. That’s decent for the type of car and drivetrain.

Conclusion and prices

The Fiat Grande Panda has grown up. It is bigger, roomier and more serious than ever, but has retained its playful character. A big plus is its unmistakable individuality, where the design inside and out clearly sets it apart from the crowd. Once again, the Grande Panda shows how strong the Italians are at designing cars with character. Not everything is perfect and some material choices raise questions. But as an overall picture, the Fiat Grande Panda is a sympathetic and surprisingly complete car that comes into its own in Dutch towns and villages.

Fiat delivers the Grande Panda in Pop, Icon and La Prima trim levels, for starting prices between 25,000 and 30,000 euros. For a thousand euros less per trim, the Grande Panda is also available with a 100-hp gasoline engine without hybrid support and as an all-electric Fiat Grande Panda Electric. Many Dutch people will opt for the electric variant, but the hybrid version offers the best mix between unlimited freedom without recharging and favorable running costs. This makes the Grande Panda Hybrid, in our opinion, the best choice if you drive relatively a lot and also want to take nice long vacation trips with it without hassle.