Fiat Grande Panda review: Retro-inspired hatchback is a little cracker

We get behind the wheel of the hybrid version of the Fiat Grande Panda

Ever since the iconic original Giugiaro-styled city car of 1980, the Fiat Panda has always been a vehicle with a clear sense of purpose.

Small, affordable, practical and full of personality, it has earned itself a special place in the automotive world.

Instead of a direct replacement in 2024, Fiat decided to go one better with the launch of the Grande Panda – a thoroughly modern interpretation of the much-loved little car.

Combining retro-inspired styling, a surprisingly spacious interior, and bags of charm. it’s available with either mild hybrid or 100% electric powertrains.

There is no mistaking the Grande Panda for anything other than a Fiat. Its boxy design draws heavily on the original, but it still manages to feel contemporary rather than overly nostalgic thanks to pixelated LED lighting elements, and stamped ‘Panda’ lettering along the lower doors.

Its slightly raised stance, chunky wheel arch cladding, silver front and rear skid plates, and roof rails, give it a hint of SUV attitude.

At just under four metres long, the Grande Panda remains compact enough for urban environments, yet looks considerably more substantial than its dimensions suggest.

In a market where manufacturers often seem reluctant to take design risks, Fiat deserves credit for producing a car that looks refreshingly different.

I spent a week with the Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid, which is fitted with the tried-and-tested 48V mild-hybrid system widely used in other Stellantis brands including Citroen, Vauxhall, Peugeot and DS.

It pairs a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo engine with a small 0.9kWh lithium-ion battery and electric motor.

Front-wheel drive via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, its total output is a healthy 108bhp with 151lb ft of torque.

In practice, the Grande Panda Hybrid is just like driving a regular petrol-engined car, except that it can run on pure electric power for short bursts (eg when manoeuvring at low speeds or crawling in heavy traffic).

Priced from £20,495, the Grande Panda Hybrid’s many rivals include the Citroen C3 Aircross, Vauxhall Frontera, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Kia Stonic and Volkswagen T-Cross.

The Grande Panda is just as funky inside with brightly-coloured recycled fabrics, a distinctive two-spoke steering wheel, a 10-inch driver’s display, a 10.25-inch central touchscreen and a cool ‘Bambox’ (a secondary upper glovebox made using real bamboo fibres).

The infotainment system works well enough, in a basic sort of way, while the overall build quality and finish is fine for the price.

There’s plenty of space up front, though it’s rather more cosy in the rear, while the boot is a useful 412 litres, rising to 1,366 litres with the back seats folded.

The driving position is fairly high, but perfectly comfortable. Visibility could be better, but it has a tight turning circle and the steering is light, so it’s easy to drive in the city.

The thrummy little engine is eager and feels swifter than the official 0-62mph sprint time of 10 seconds.

It rides well too, soaking up most of the everyday bumps, and feeling composed for the most part, while body lean in faster corners is well controlled.

I drove the Grande Panda Hybrid on a variety of roads, including two long motorway journeys, and it coped well. In fact, on the latter is managed a very creditable average of 55mpg, which almost matches the claimed economy.

On the downside, it’s a shame there are no selectable drive modes (eg eco, Comfort, Sport), nor is it possible to adjust the brake regen settings (ideally via steering wheel paddles).

There is some road and wind noise at higher speeds, but it’s generally refined for a car in this class.

There’s plenty of grip from the front wheels, the brakes are progressive and the gearbox is slick, but for the occasional hesitancy at low speeds.

Ultimately, it’s possible to have some fun in the Grande Panda Hybrid, and it’s surprisingly agile for a relatively tall little car.

Verdict: Rufty-tufty and retro-styled, the Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid is affordable, frugal, fun to drive and comfortable. Perhaps most of all, it dares to be different, and oozes character.

Review in association with AutomotiveBlog