Publication date: 2 February 2025
Fiat Grande Panda
Review

Fiat Grande Panda

More Panda, more fun?

Review - The first Fiat Panda had likeable looks, was unprecedentedly spacious and made motoring affordable thanks to simple technology. In short: it was a car that put a smile on the driver's face. Now Fiat is introducing the "Grande Panda". This new Panda is a lot bigger and is electrically powered. Does this big Panda offer even more fun?

The test drive starts on the roof of the legendary Fiat factory in Turin (Italy) and that is no coincidence. The basic shape and straight lines were adopted from the first Panda. Then the factory building ("Lingotto") was used as inspiration for the details. For example, the pattern of the pixels in the headlights is based on the building's many windows.

Fiat Grande Panda

The dashboard consists of a large oval with the steering column and two displays inside. This oval refers to the test track on the roof of the Lingotto building, which is why even a scale model of the Grande Panda can be found in this oval! And with that, the mood is set: Fiat wants to revive positive memories to make the Grande Panda desirable as well as sensible. Moreover, with this, Fiat cleverly exploits something its Chinese competition does not have: history. Add to that many original design elements, frivolous upholstery and fresh paint colours and the test driver has a smile on his face even before the test drive has begun.

Fiat Grande Panda
Fiat Grande Panda

Space

Fiat has chosen to develop a "Grande Panda" instead of a regular Panda because there is more global demand for compact cars (b-segment) than for small cars (a-segment). Moreover, Fiat's parent company (Stellantis) has a ready-made platform for such a car and this ensures that Fiat can offer the Grande Panda at a low price, just like the ordinary Panda of yesteryear.

However, the first Panda was unique with an angular shape and by now all cars know how to extract a lot of space from limited exterior dimensions. The space in the front of the Grande Panda is therefore good (the seat backs, however, are a bit narrow), those in the rear moderate.

Equipment

Because Fiat can use existing technology from its parent company, it can offer modern equipment despite a competitive price. For example, the base version driven here has an infotainment system (using your smartphone as a brain) and air conditioning. The more luxurious variant offers more refinement with built-in sat nav, climate control and higher-quality fabrics. The latter in particular makes a big difference, as this not only makes the cabin look better, it also makes it feel more comfortable.

Fiat Grande Panda

As with all new cars, the driver of the Grande Panda is also patronised by mandatory and overzealous safety features that mostly warn wrongly. They read traffic signs for parallel roads or fail to see the caption (e.g., "while raining only"). Unfortunately, the systems are less easy to disable, so count on lots of beeps, bells and other well-meaning but unwelcome warnings.

Electric car

The Grande Panda is available as a hybrid and an all-electric car. At the time of writing, only the latter is available, so it was tested. Since Fiat assumes the Grande Panda will be the first electric car for many buyers, a large range has been chosen. In theory, the Grande Panda has a range of 320 km from its 44 kWh battery. During the test drive in adverse weather conditions, this was 282 km.

Fiat Grande Panda

To make charging easier, apart from the standard rear charging socket (for 11 kW public and 100 kW fast charging), the Grande Panda has an optional built-in charging cable in the front. To allow the cable to roll up smoothly, it is slightly thinner than a standard charging cable. Therefore, the maximum charging speed with this coiled wire is also slightly lower (7.4 kW).

Aimed at switchers from a petrol car, Fiat gives the electric Panda a tame character. Performance is more than adequate, but don't expect the fierce acceleration and brutal deceleration (during energy recovery) of some other electric cars. Like all electric cars, the Grande Panda does its work in silence. Only sounds from the wind and tyres are audible, with the more expensive version being noticeably quieter thanks to extra sound insulation. Since an electric car does not need gears, the Grande Panda can be operated like an automatic.

Fiat Grande Panda

Driving behaviour

The handling of the Grande Panda differs greatly from the original. For the sake of price, the distance between the driver and the technology was minimal at the time, so the driver was heavily involved in the driving. This made the first Panda spartan, or more positively explained: a true experience. However, the original is now 45 years old and time has not stood still. Besides, this is a Grande Panda and it should also drive grand.

This large and modern Panda is stable (centre of gravity low and central) and good-natured thanks to its electric drive. This is not an experience, but it is as comfortable and safe.

Fiat Grande Panda

Conclusion

Does a big Panda offer any more fun than a small one? That depends on what the driver prefers. The first Panda was unique with its interior space. By now, all car manufacturers know how to extract plenty of space from limited exterior dimensions. The Grande Panda therefore distinguishes itself through ergonomics. These include a triple glovebox (one low, one high and a rail to attach cradles) and a built-in charging cable.

With the first Panda, driving pleasure came from simple technology. The Grande Panda offers only average performance and range for an electric car. However, compared to a similar petrol-powered car, the Grande Panda offers more comfort and more agility at a lower price per kilometre.

The smile on the face of the driver as well as the occupants comes from the retro design. The basic shape makes the Grande Panda likeable and cuddly, the many details make it clear that even the designers had fun with this car!

plus
  • Fair price
  • Well-thought-out ergonomics
  • Successful and distinctive design
minus
  • No consumption meter
  • Few possibilities for energy recovery