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Overall reader verdict 4 out of 5 stars

  • What's it like to drive
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Running costs
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality, practicality and equipment
    4 out of 5 stars

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68 reader reviews for Fiat Panda Hatchback.

  • 1.3 MultiJet Dynamic 5dr

    robert mcdarby , herts . Date: 16/05/2008
    • Overall verdict
      5 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      5 out of 5 stars

    My car

    I've had the Panda for five months and can't praise it highly enough. I bought it new in Jan 08. It's well made, reliable, comfortable and fun to drive. The 1.3 Multijet engine has plenty of power for a small car and the fuel economy is outstanding. I regularly get 70 mpg on my 84 mile commute. The car is very stable on the motorway and will cruise easily at 80mph, although best fuel economy is at around 60-65mph. I bought the car as ar replacement for a year old Toyota Yaris 1.3 vvt petrol and prior to that had a Citroen C2 1.4HDI. The Panda's engine feels and sounds alot more refined than the Yaris which was aweful, especially at motorway speeds, and the main reason I changed it so soon. Build quality is, suprisingly similar although the plastic in the Panda is better than the Yaris which marked very easily. I had the C2 for 4 years and covered 90k trouble free miles. The 1.4HDI engine was excellent and gave similar mpg. Build quality wasn't in the same league as either the Fiat or the Toyota. The suspension bottomed out quiet badly on pot holed roads and the car had a tendency to wander on the motorway requiring constant correction on the steering wheel which was tiring on a long motorway journey. I'm so impressed with the Panda that when my wifes KA is due for replacement next year it will be at the top of the list.

  • 1.1 Active 5dr

    k donnelly Date: 15/05/2008
    • Overall verdict
      5 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      5 out of 5 stars

    My car

    i bought a 2004 fiat panda active second hand 6 months ago, and it did need cleaning as the previous owner did not keep it clean, it was instantly superior to my old diesel peugeot 106. the panda had power steering and in city mode it can be parked with one finger. the gearstick is mounted high on the dash and so is easier to reach. when driving the 1.1L engine never seems tired and fuel economy is great for a petrol. the suspension removes bumps as it has been well used on a farm. the interior design is much better than any other car, its not bland like some. the reliability of the car is great its a very strong car and does not feel flimsy. it feels like a vw.

  • 1.2 4x4 5dr

    Stephanie Kiel , Highland . Date: 14/05/2008
    • Overall verdict
      1 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      2 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      2 out of 5 stars

    My car

    Bought a new PANDA 4x4 in January 2006 . It did do ok off road but on road it was very sluggish; the 4x4 is seriously under-powered. It was rarely better than 30 mpg! The boot lock broke within 4 month and was replaced under warranty. The brakes started squealing in spring 2007 and I brought it in to get it checked. Was charged £60 but nothing was found. In September 2006, I discovered to my horror that the front tyres had worn down completely on the inside - new front tyres needed. Later found out that Pandas leave the factory frequently with wrongly aligned front wheels so that they wear too fast in the inside which results in you having to replace them. With the 2nd year service another £300. Oh, brakes were still screeching. In spring 2008 I had a puncture and 2 independent garages told me that the brakes were completely worn down and pads and discs would need replacing. The boot lock was broken again too after not even 2 years. The garage replaced it without advising me and then didn't cover it under warranty (even though the very part was not even 2 years old). Another £420. I bought a new car to not pay bill after bill but that clearly didn't work at all. I am not happy dealer, their service $ work is poor. Fiat UK did not consider the broken boot lock to be a warranty issue. Customer Care? Deeply disappointed by Fiat, the dealer and the car. I just sold it and have gone back to Japanese cars.

  • 1.4 100HP 5dr

    Max Payton , East Sussex . Date: 29/03/2008
    • Overall verdict
      4 out of 5 stars
    • What's it like to drive
      4 out of 5 stars
    • Running costs
      5 out of 5 stars
    • Quality, practicality and equipment
      4 out of 5 stars

    My car

    I have owned my 100hp for a month now, having bought it for an incredible brand new price of £7800 on the road in metallic grey. I find the car is sporty, easy to drive and comfortable. It is able to take my 6'4" frame. The standard fit climate control, automatic wipers front and rear, bluetooth and sport button are excellent. I love driving it, the cornering is amazing. The only down side to this sporty nature is that the ride can be a bit hard and bouncy on bad roads but it is worth this for the handling. The engine is strong and puts out a great sound when accelerating, the gearbox is smooth and slick. Despite all this it is returning 40mpg. For the price of an ordinary supermini I have car that is a joy to own and cheap to run. Recommended.

Fiat Panda Hatchback

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