Fiat

Tuesday, 6th of January 2009

Polls

Search

Fiat Panda 4x4 1.2 Road Test Report

1.2

Need a 4x4 but don’t want to break the bank? Want to get your tyres properly muddy occasionally but don’t wish to be branded as some kind of maniac eco-saboteur? Fiat’s thrifty, diminutive and surprisingly capable Panda 4x4 could well be what you’re after.

Fiat Panda 4x4 consumer car reviews
Have your say!
Fiat Panda 4x4 lease prices
Fiat Panda 4x4 new and nearly new

Performance

For off-roading this Panda is equipped with pretty much everything it needs: mechanical variable torque distribution, permanent 4WD, front and rear differentials with a rear-mounted viscous coupling, 165mm of ground clearance with short body overhangs. If not quite on a par with a Wrangler or Defender, this Panda is a very impressive off-road performer as its compact dimensions and easy manoeuvrability counter any lack of brute power and macho tyre size. On road, however, there are some small penalties. With a 1.2-litre petrol engine developing just 60bhp it’s not exactly speedy – 0-62mph in 20secs and a 90mph max. (For a £2k premium, the torquier, 70bhp 1.3 Multijet diesel would be the nippier option.) And in 2WD mode this baby 4x4 is a tad noisy when bombing along a dual-carriageway with tyre noise contributing much of it.

Ride & Handling

With its raised ground clearance the Panda 4x4 rolls in corners slightly more than an ordinary 2WD Panda, and its on-road driving isn’t quite as honed or refined as a road-only Panda’s. Which isn’t it say that it falls short or is lacking in any significant way – it’s still a perfectly acceptable daily driver with accurate steering and a decent ride. But if you’re an urban dweller and never venture off the hard, black stuff then a 2WD version would probably suit you better.

Build Quality & Reliability

In general, Fiats don’t fare particularly well in independent customer surveys, although as a long-term Fiat owner myself I can report that, in my personal experience, main dealer customer care has improved significantly in the past few years. I’ve witnessed the Panda 4x4 taking some pretty severe punishment to its engine, suspension and drivetrain without any sign of complaint, and, bearing in mind Fiat’s 1-million kilometre pre-launch test program in Lapland, the Kalahari Desert and the Himalayas, I’ve no reason to suspect anything negative.

Safety & Security

Central locking and an engine immobiliser come as standard, with an alarm being a dealer-fit option. On the safety side the Panda offers front seatbelt pre-tensioners plus front airbags for driver and passenger, with ESP (£420) and front side airbags (£200) both being optional. The Panda scores 3-stars on the EuroNCAP scale for occupant safety.

Space & Practicality

At just 1.60m wide and 3.57m long, the Panda has a surprisingly spacious and roomy interior, which few, if any others in the supermini class can match. Head, elbow and legroom is ample for four adults, while boot capacity goes from 206 litres minimum to an impressive 861 litres max with the rear seats folded flat. The 4x4’s interior surfaces are all wipe-clean and purposeful, and the instrumentation and centre console have an attractive chunkiness to them.

Ownership & Value

Before we go into a little detail, consider that the Panda 4x4 is the most affordable 4x4 on sale. Furthermore, its off-roading capabilities certainly exceed those of many of the soft-roaders and 4x4 crossover look-alikes favoured by so many mums on the school run. So, if you need a new 4x4 but you’re feeling the ‘crunch’, then look no further. The petrol 1.2’s combined mpg is a thrifty 42.8 and has a group 2 insurance rating, but the more powerful 1.3 diesel version makes more sense at 54.3 mpg with group 3 insurance, assuming you can afford that extra £2k of course…

Submitted: 02/10/2008 14:58:42

4x4s

Fiat Road Tests

Submit a Road Test Report

* First Name :

Surname :

* County / Country :

* Make :

* Model :

Year Of Make :

Variant :

* Star Rating :

* Required

Search Reports by Make