Fiat Panda 4x4 Review

Overall Rating

Cheap to run, great around town and along muddy tracks - this car is far tougher than it looks!
Fits all my gear in the boot, plus 4 six foot blokes in it for a pub trip.

"Space saving" spare wheel - useless if you stuck in a foriegn country or on a motorway as it's maximum speed is 50mph.
Had some problems finding the Bridgestone Dueler tyres following a puncture. Acceleration isn't brilliant on a motorway.

Brilliant little car that I've been after for ages (pity I didn't have one in Australia - loads of places for it to explore in New South Wales).
I needed a car that was cheap, reliable, fun to drive and could clamber up muddy farm tracks.
It also has to be able to park in tight spaces in Bristol city centre and commute across town, whilst also taking 4 six foot adults to the pub.
It does all of these things with ease.
I can carry full mounteering kit in my car and still have enough space for a single person's food shopping (bread, cheese and cider!).
The car appears to be very tough and has survived the odd rock scraping it's underside, the gear box is a joy to use and nicely positioned. She seems to love steep, narrow roads with tight bends, such as in Bristol and Norway.
I have used her on the odd snowy road - she did well, but I need to do further "research", such as a trip to Scotland in the winter.
The tyres can be tricky to find (some grease monkeys refuse to believe such duel purpose tyres exist), but do their job very well.
A friend of mine says he sees these cars all the time in the villages of Italy and is always impressed by them.
The roof bars are handy for that impulsive purchase of kayak paddles!
I'm very happy with my Panda, but I would suggest a test drive and rigorous research before anyone gets any car.
If you do get one, please take her (legally) into the mud once in a while (if only to wind up a chelsea tractor driver!).

Members' Comments onCiderboy's Review

• Ciderboy on 30th Apr 2009

  Ciderboy's comment regarding snow.
  
  The heavy snow earlier this year was no excuse for me missing work as Panda just kept going where "normal" cars failed.
  She tackled snow of about 6 inches depth, some good sized hills and country lanes. I found her limit - snow of 1 foot depth (should have fitted snow chains?) and losing momentum on a tight, icey junction stopped her.
  I increased my driving as it was fun climbing slopes where others had given up! After nearly 2 years of owning, my Panda 4x4 still keeps me smiling!