Used Fiat Panda 2012-2024 review
The Fiat Panda is an stylishand cheap-to-run city car, but it's flawed in too many areas to recommend
- Used Fiat Panda 2012-2024 front cornering green
- Used Fiat Panda 2012-2024 interior dashboard
- Used Fiat Panda 2012-2024 front seats
- Used Fiat Panda 2012-2024 climate controls
- Used Fiat Panda 2012-2024 front driving green
- Used Fiat Panda 2012-2024 rear driving green
What's the used Fiat Panda like?
Boxy, stylish city cars have a natural ability to generate a cult following – and the Fiat Panda is a prime example.
The Panda's no-nonsense ethos has struck a chord with enthusiasts and value-minded buyers over many years and it's a common sight in plenty of bustling European cities. In the UK it's not quite such a common sight, but it's a used car you might consider against the Dacia Sandero, Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto.
Pros
- Funky looks
- Early cars are cheap
- Low running costs
Cons
- Terrible safety rating from 2018
- Limited rear seat space
- Rivals are better to drive
Used cars available now
If you're looking at the off-road-inspired Panda Cross, or even one of the earlier Panda 4x4s, then you might also be thinking about a Dacia Duster or Suzuki Ignis.
Engines and performance: There’s a choice of three engines, for one: a 68bhp 1.2-litre petrol, a 0.9 Twinair with 84bhp and a 74bhp 1.3-litre diesel. Later, post-facelift, 2020 Cross models came with only a 69bhp 1.0-litre, three-cylinder mild-hybrid engine. Four-wheel drive is available on the 4x4 version and, from its launch in 2015, on the raised-up and toughened up Panda Cross model.
On the road, the 1.2 and 1.0-litre petrols aren't very gutsy, but they're fine around town. If you regularly head beyond the city limits, then you should consider the diesel; it feels stronger and more flexible than the petrol, so is better at keeping up with traffic on faster roads. Twinair versions have a fair bit of mid-range muscle, but are sluggish at very low revs and breathless at high ones. The manual gearshift is clunky and vague on all versions.
As you might expect, refinement isn't great on all models, with plenty of vibrations from the engine. It's also noisy to drive on the motorway, with plenty of wind and road noise, but this isn't unusual for a small car. The i10 is quieter to drive on the motorway, though.
Ride and handling: The i10 also rides a lot more comfortably. It's not that the Panda thumps alarmingly over potholes – it takes most of the sting out of sharp edges pretty well – but it bounces and fidgets around over most surfaces. That makes it rather wearing to drive for any great distance.
While the Panda's light steering is ideal for parking, it’s also vague when you are looking for that sense of connection to help you guide the nose confidently through faster corners. Combine that with significant body lean, and this isn't a car with driver appeal by the bucket load.
If you enjoy zipping about in a small car with rewarding handling, the surprisingly entertaining Picanto demands a test drive.
Interior and practicality: A height-adjustable driver’s seat is standard on all versions, but the steering wheel adjusts only up and down (not in and out), so finding a comfortable driving position isn't always easy – especially if you're tall. The i10 and Picanto have better driving positions.
On the plus side, the high seating position provides a good view out to the front, and the view rearwards is decent thanks to the large rear window. Rear parking sensors are standard if you go for top-spec versions or the Panda Cross, but there's no option of a rear-view camera or brighter LED headlights.
Early and entry-level versions of the Panda make do without a modern touchscreen infotainment system. Instead, they get a more basic set-up with an AM/FM and DAB radio that incorporates Bluetooth connectivity. This set-up feels like a blast from the past and isn’t very user-friendly.
Later and top-spec versions have a proper 7.0in touchscreen, and it's pretty decent by the standard of what you get in many similar-priced alternatives. The operating system is fairly user-friendly and comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring.
While no rival comes with particularly plush fixtures and fittings to relish, the i10 does at least look smart, while the Picanto feels screwed together well. The Panda, on the other hand, features a palette of pretty low-rent plastics that have an undesirable flimsiness.
There's a reasonable amount of space for people in the front of the Fiat Panda, with the tall body giving a good amount of head room. Leg room isn’t particularly generous though, meaning that the Hyundai i10 feels roomier, while the Dacia Duster offers way more space.
Rear space is even less generous. Rear leg room is tight, and trying to seat three adult passengers in the back will be a proper old squeeze. Again, the Duster gives you way more space for around the same money.
The Panda’s boot is a practical shape, and you can fold the rear seat backs in a 60/40 split (like most of its rivals) if you want more space. In terms of outright capacity with the rear seats in place, you get 225 litres, which is less than in a Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto. Again, if you want more luggage space for similar money, check out the Dacia Sandero or the generally larger Duster.
Trims and equipment: There are three key trim levels to choose from: Pop, Easy and Lounge. The entry-level model comes with electric front windows, a height-adjustable steering and hill hold assist, while upgrading to the Easy model adds remote central locking, air conditioning and roof rails. The range-topping Lounge trim gives the Panda 15in alloy wheels, front fog lights, a six-speaker sound system and Fiat's Uconnect infotainment system complete with USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
For those opting for the more rugged Panda 4x4 or the tougher Panda Cross, fear not, these both come with their own trim specification, with the former including 15in alloys, electrically adjustable and heated wing mirrors, and a height-adjustable driver's seat. The latter includes swish silver roof bars, climate control, LED day-running-lights, all-wheel drive and three driving modes, and mud and snow tyres.
On later cars, the trim levels were updated to entry-level Panda, which gets 15in steel wheels, air conditioning and a heated rear window. It's very basic.
Cross trim is better equipped, because it gives you a larger infotainment system and rear parking sensors. Meanwhile, RED and Garmin specs add niceties such as automatic climate control, heated front seats and special styling.
Facelift: A facelift in 2020 resulted in only the Panda Cross version being offered from new in the UK. Two more variants, named the City and Sport, now sit alongside it. Models come equipped with a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder mild-hybrid engine. This harvests kinetic energy during braking and deceleration, which is stored in the battery. This enables the engine to shut down to conserve fuel when coasting or at a standstill, and can also be used to assist acceleration.
"The Panda's interior might feel cheap, but it does have some fun styling features lacking in some of its rivals. The squircle theme for the dials and dashboard buttons are a nice touch." – George Hill, Used Cars Writer
If you're interested in finding a used Panda, or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.
Ownership cost
What used Fiat Panda will I get for my budget?
You might find a Panda for around £1500, but that will be a high mileage example or a car with previous damage. We'd advise spending more to secure one with an average mileage for the year and a full service history.
If you think in the region of £3000, you'll buy a 2015 or 2016 model, while upping the dosh to between £4000 and £5000 gets you a low mileage example of a similar age. A budget of £5000 to £8000 typically buys a 2017 to 2020 car, while anything above that should secure you a 2020 to 2022 model. Last-of-the-line 2023 and 2024 cars cost upwards of £10,000.
Our recommendations
Which used Fiat Panda should I buy?
Engine
The 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol is one of the Panda’s better engines. It’s not particularly powerful but it copes just fine in town and feels comparatively willing. The 1.0-litre mild hybrid three-cylinder petrol is a good option, too.
Specification
You don’t get much kit in the entry-level Pop trim. It comes with steel wheels, a trip computer, electric front windows, a basic stereo, central locking and a height-adjustable driver’s seat and steering column. Easy is the trim level we’d aim for. It adds air-con, which is a major plus, as well as remote central locking, an upgraded stereo and roof rails.
Our favourite Fiat Panda: 1.2 Easy
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Fiat Panda?
The Hyundai i10 is refined and its interior is surprisingly roomy. The 1.2 engine is gutsy enough for motorway use, it’s economical and it can easily deal with rutted road surfaces and roundabouts. In top-spec trim, it’s well equipped, too, with sat-nav, DAB and Apple CarPlay, as well as a 7.0in touchscreen. It’s one of our favourite city cars.
The Kia Picanto is closely-related to the i10, so they have similar attributes. The major benefit with going for the Kia is that it has a longer seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty from new, compared with the five-year, unlimited-mileage cover for the Hyundai.
The Volkswagen Up is also one of our favourites. It’s economical, handles well, is comfortable to be in and is smarter inside than most cars in this class. In addition, it’s worth checking out its siblings, the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo – both characterful cars that are good value on the used car market.
If you're interested in finding a used Panda, or any of the other small cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.
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