FIAT Panda 4x4 road tests and consumer car reviews

Fiat Panda 4x4 2007

After a lifetime of driving various cars I bought a 57 panda 4x4 for £5k. A great little, cheap to run, quirky tool, Who needs speed with one of these go anywhere motors? I’ve seen all the videos on Youtube and cant wait for the first snows to come.

Fiat Panda 4x4 2009

We live in an area which has snow and ice every year, and at the end of a steep drive. I took delivery of my Fiat Panda 4 x 4 at the end of September and am completely delighted. It is very comfortable, light and easy to drive, holds the road well and will do any speeds I want - up to the limit. Since December 18th we have have temperatures below freezing, with since just before Christmas, up to 30cms of snow. The Fiat has been absolutely brilliant in slush, deeper snow and on slopes. It gives a great sense of confidence. Added to this, it looks so cute and makes everyone smile. If you need a small car for all conditions, buy this!

Responses to this review

Like Janet, I will soon be moving to Inverness-shire and am looking to buy a new small 4x4 Jan/Feb this year. I would like to ask Janet her views on visibility as I will be driving a lot on single track roads and need to be able to reverse park easily and avoid any ditches at the roadside etc. margaretdon@tiscali.co.uk - Margaret Duffy from Perthshire

Husband kept going on about the Fiat Panda 4x4 but could never find one for sale in our area. Eventually found one an hour away from us. Just bought my Fiat Panda 4x4, collect it tomorrow. We live down a 1/2 mile single private road in the middle of nowhere and have had problems getting my Peugot 307 out during the snow that we have had. Did not want to pay over the top with running costs for another 4x4 just to reap its 4x4 benefits for only 1-2 months of the year. Did you put on special winter tyres and can anyone recommend tyres for winter use? - Else Mills from Aberdeenshire

Fiat Panda 4x4 2007

I purchased my Panda in December 07 and have had three problems up to date October 09. 1, rear discs binding after braking, loud squealing. Resolved after 12 weeks. 2, after approximately 12 months a sound like a worn cam from 1000rpm on but not at tick over; this problem has not been resolved to date. I was told by Fiat UK that as it did not effect the running of the car I had to put up with it. This is not in the sales literatue that I read before my purchase. 3, loud knocking from the left rear wheel area, loose bumper fouling on tow bar, new rear shocks fitted, dealer now thinks it may be a sub frame problem. I noticed today that the knocking seems to stop when the brakes are applied, could the brake caliper be loose? Any answers please.

Responses to this review

I’ve had similar problems with my Panda . Replaced rear brakes with Ferodo brand and no more squealing. Also after 12 months the car sounded like a ferrari at low revs, this was due to bad weld on the exhaust got it replaced and no more problems. On my car some knocking noises come from right rear wheel area after fitting a tow bar but nothing to be worried about, the main reasons for this is in many 4x4’s there is: raised suspension, rear diff, material tolerances, driving in hot or cold conditions, rear wheels being to much or or not enough inflated... On my car this knocking stops as soon as there is over 60 kilos of weight in the rear compartment. I took out rear seats in my car because I don’t need them so it is too light in back when empty . Also check out how do you inflate your tyres: 2,2 in front , 2,0 rear, this is very important! I’m from Slovenia , not NI - Henrik from Northern Ireland

Fiat Panda 4x4 2005

Four and a half years, nearly 40,000 miles, not a single fault, no rattles, great style, and endless fun. An object of undiminished family affection. The car has done everything that’s expected of it and nothing that hasn’t been. For the occasional large load, I’ve rented larger cars; these have of course been faster, but none, including a nearly new BMW 3-series diesel on an Italian holiday, has been so intelligently designed or such a pleasure, in all conditions, to drive; among other smaller cars, an Opel Corsa, also nearly new, on another European holiday this year, was a revealingly coarse contrast. (A recent recall for a permeable ABS control unit is a mild irritation, but FIAT is dealing with this efficiently and of course, no cost.)

Fiat Panda 4x4 4x4 2006

Had one for a year, when my g/f insisted we had to do camping. I put a towbar on it for a box trailer, and behold - the perfect pocket camper. It snowed that year, the plucky 1.2 engine and winter tyres made the car so much fun I went out rescuing Land Rovers with it. I loved that car. The downsides were being cut up in traffic as it was so small, and a lack of motorway speed. Fuel consumption was high with the car struggling to make 45mpg. Otherwise, brilliant. Later ones come with the much better diesel engine. Buy one if you can. They’re perfect for country types. Sliding rear seat option best.

Fiat Panda 4x4 2007

A great little car, fun to drive, cheap to run. No "locking diff" (I think?), no low range gear box (?), no bull (bars). Trundles across fields and up muddy slopes with apparent ease. Loves snow. Has been known to leave "Landie" drivers scratching their heads! If you need a "proper" 4x4 and also a very practical small car that can take friends to the pub and back, give this little Fiat serious consideration. Don’t be put off by the doubters - the internet has plenty of footage showing just where a Panda can roam! The only bad point is a "space saving"spare wheel - not much help when you have a puncture motorway. The tyres are "highway/ terrain" pattern, which some lazy fitters say can’t be got hold of - rubbish! They just take a few days to order but are needed to go off road. Finally make sure your insurance allows you to go in the mud - some don’t! This is the best little car I’ve ever owned!

Fiat Panda 4x4 1.2 4x4 5dr 2007

Brilliant little car, on or off road it performs superbly. This is my second Panda 4x4 and still as enjoyable to drive as the first. Cheap as chips to run and you get all that off road capability - what’s not to love! Boot is ample for me and my partner but I agree it’s not huge so not sure how it would fare as a family car. A really fun car.

Fiat Panda 4x4 2006

For a surprisingly small 4 x 4, this cheeky little chappie has a lot of guts. I use it daily driving down a narrow, muddy Devon lane and it has got me out of a few, what could have been, nasty muddy predicaments. Recently, whilst moving some gravel up through three of our field in the back of the car, it out performed my husband’s Honda CRV, which couldn’t quite make it past the muddy entrance! On the downside, you have to think ahead of pulling out as the acceleration is not very good, as already mentioned: 0 - 60 in 20 seconds. Also, the fuel tank is quite small [30 litres]. However, that aside, it is a good robust performer, although it could do with a more powerful engine.

Fiat Panda 4x4 4x4 2007

I bought the Panda last March for my wife we love it we have had four before this one but they get better and better its auto or manual gears you choose i have a top of he range vauxhall over £18000-00 but i still love to drive the little fiat panda easy to park nice drive good looks inside and out, I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good value car. I will get the diesel next over 60 mpg and £35-00 road tax can€™t wait.

Fiat Panda 4x4 Israel 2007

An amazing car! Goes off road with all the big boys, and can get out and in narrow places and out of troubles easily. Surprisingly smooth and quiet on and off road, easy to drive, no high/low gears or any need to stop for differential locking... just keep on moving and moving easily! Each time i think that I’m about to cross its limit, i discover I’m wrong again. don’t get fooled by the catalogue specifications on it’s 20sec from 0-60/// i used to live with sports cars and now I’m in love. Even on highways it surprisingly good again, I do 75-80 mph naturally. Do your soul a present, buy one and start to enjoy life!

Fiat Panda 4x4 1.1 8v Active

Brilliant little car. Cheap to buy, cheap to run and can take some battering. Runs brilliantly in snow, rain or shine and is very enjoyable to drive. A good bargain, well worth the money, I’d highly recommend this car to anyone.