Will the keeper win?
The A segment is rapidly disappearing. Purchasing a new light and compact car is therefore becoming increasingly difficult. This does not apply to the Fiat Panda, which has been on the market since 2011 and is still part of the model range in 2023. That the model is available for a long time is one, but is the Panda also a good choice? We’ll figure it out based on user reviews.
From the appearance of the Panda it is difficult to see whether you are dealing with a copy from 2011 or a brand new one. An update in 2020 did not bring any shocking external changes. Since then, the Panda has almost always been a mild hybrid and has the three-cylinder 1.0 FireFly engine in the front. This should make you forget the 0.9 TwinAir and the old 1.2 four-cylinder.
Grumpy TwinAir
To start with the engines, in the review section mainly owners of the TwinAir two-cylinder share their experiences. It is striking how divided these experiences are, sometimes even a single owner has a dual experience. This is due to the combination of a spicy engine character in combination with a humming sound. “When stationary, the TwinAir engine sounds like a microcar. She also hums happily when accelerating, luckily you don’t hear much of it at constant speed.”
“Having said goodbye to my Panda,” writes another owner, “I have really enjoyed it over the years, but to be honest, I got a little tired of the sound of the engine. No comment in terms of performance, although the fuel consumption was higher than indicated.” You can also put on the charm glasses, as this driver does: “It’s a car with its own character. You either appreciate that or you don’t.”
The TwinAir is not completely problem-free. A recall from Fiat has provided early owners with a pair of new ignition coils, which should improve the reliability of the engine. In addition, several owners report that the stop/start system never activates. Another quirk: the TwinAir does not operate at low oil levels, as this owner experienced. So if the engine of your Panda does not want to run from one moment to the next, first check the oil and top up if necessary. Of course it is always better to check the oil level regularly.
Comfort and handling Fiat Panda
Apart from the TwinAir engine, the Panda mainly makes friends. “The car drives very well and is surprisingly comfortable for a small car, even on long stretches,” says the owner of a TwinAir 85 Lounge. “The materials are quite nice for this class and this price and the design of the interior makes me happy,” says another owner who also praises the all-round view. “There is a lot of glass surface, which makes the car very clear.”
The number of people who drive the Panda for business will be quite limited, so it is all the more interesting that a forest ranger shares his experience. The green Panda 4×4 Climbing provided by his employer is used daily and has now covered 126,000 km, also off the beaten track. “On the road it drives well, even with four-hour days in the car I have no back problems. It’s snappy, can keep up with traffic, and on the highway it’s a nice car. Especially considering its small size.” This is endorsed by the owner of a Panda 1.2 with 69 hp: “Very comfortable in terms of handling.”
For a car in the entry-level segment, the Panda appears to be equipped with excellent furniture. “I am 1.97 meters and have relatively long legs. I feel I fit well in the Panda. Of course I notice this on long journeys, but I have that with most cars.” The seating comfort is somewhat dependent on the chosen version, writes the owner of a 1.2 Lounge from 2017. “Unlike the Edition Cool from 2015, which we had before, the driver’s seat is adjustable in height. The adjustment also determines the angle of inclination of the seat. This makes the sitting position significantly better.”
Points of attention Fiat Panda
Aside from the engine issues, which particularly affect the TwinAir, owners report a few minor inconveniences. For example, the tailgate switch regularly refuses to work. The replacement part not only functions better, it is also more robust. This is to the delight of a nostalgic driver: “It now feels more like the rock-solid Fiat plastic, like with the ‘classic’ Panda.”
If we are to believe Panda owners, this Fiat is a good choice in its ever-thinning segment. If you can live with the peculiar TwinAir engine, that is, otherwise you’re better off moving to the tamer 1.2 or the new 1.0-liter three-cylinder. Lovers of the Panda are lucky: if we can believe parent company Stellantis, the model will remain in production until 2026. With a starting price of more than 18 grand, it is no longer a bargain, but at least this A-segmenter is still there.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl