USED Fiat Panda Hatchback (04 - 12)

My car

Fabulous! The engine is a gem and does not reflect the on-paper figures at all, feeling much perkier and flexible that the modest 60bhp suggests.

It has nice light controls and a superb gearshift from centre-mounted stick. Styling cues are a nice compromise between form and function and standard specification includes all the toys without needing the expensive options list.

It has a wonderfully supple ride and the Tardis-like cabin would shame many larger cars of twice the price (just don't expect a Focus-sized boot).

"Fun" is a good summary of this car, but not at the expense of day-to-day praticality.

My car

A super little Fiat, at home in town and on the open road. Quality is far better than previous Fiats and the drive, ride quality and handling are amazingly good. Suspension is a little under damped on very bumpy roads though and as usual the dreadful dealers let the aftersales side down. We took ours on a 3000 mile trip to Poland and back, very comfy and 100mph plus on the autobahns!

My car

The Panda gets a 5 Star rating because the overall ownership experience is greater than the sum of its parts!

Compared to older Fiats - whose engines have always been strong but whose overall build quality often was not - the Panda is extremely well made. It feels like it's been thoroughly tried and tested from top to bottom.

I'm not normally a fan of electronic gizmos, but the Dynamic Sound's fabulously loud CD is amazing, the steering-wheel-mounted remote controls are great, the electric windows glide like a dream, and all other electronics - traditionally not a Fiat strength - seem indestructible.

The dash-mounted gearlever falls easily to hand, and the car is a joy to drive both in the city - we live in Wapping - and on the motorway.

Pandas are crying out to be named and loved: ours is called Louie and we already adore it.

An unreserved recommendation!

My car

I am at present in a battle with Fiat over the MPG I am getting, which is very poor. Urban 30 to 39 mpg, motorways 31 to 47 mpg. I had the car checked by the dealer and was told there is no fault, fiat say the same. Is this right? Please help!