Fiat Panda (2004 – 2012) Review
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Fiat Panda (2004 – 2012) Verdict
Compact and practical. Enjoyable and easy to drive. Narrow size makes it easy to park. Good space for those in the back.
Double folding rear seats not standard. Small boot.
Find out more about the Fiat Panda (2004 – 2012)
It's cheap. It's cheerful. And it was a deserved European Car of the Year 2004.
The first thing that strikes you is its cuteness. It's smaller and sweeter than it looks in pictures. You instantly want to like it. Get inside and the central knobs and switches panel is simply the best in any car at any price. It's a model of clarity and every single button falls instantly to hand. So does the neat little dash mounted gear lever.
Fiat Panda 1.1 Active 2004 Road Test
Fiat Panda Multijet diesel and 4x4 Road Test
Fiat Panda 100HP 2007 Road Test
Reviews for Fiat Panda (2004 – 2012)'s top 3 rivals
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Fiat Panda (2004 – 2012) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.1 to 1.4
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 32–78 mpg
To drive, there's a bit of deadness in the steering, but it handles well enough, rides decently and there's a lot less road noise than from a Punto. Sure, you have to turn the radio up on the motorway, but for a basic 53bhp 1.1 litre car it's surprisingly refined; much better than a Punto, though not quite as good as the Kia Picanto.
Fiat states a top speed of 93mph, but in my experience either the speedo was extremely optimisitic or Fiat has been extremely pessimistic. The car actually seems to become smoother and quieter the faster you drive it. And, once you get used to the tall, narrow body, you can have a lot of fun with it too. The driver of a Porsche Boxster was very surprised to find a Pistachio Panda on his tail around one well-known quick corner.
There's something hugely fun to be had from getting the most out of a small, underpowered car. Though the gearbox is standard Fiat, the gearchange and the handiness of the high gearlever is fantastic.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 50 mpg | 15.0 s | 132 g/km |
| 1.1 ECO | 57 mpg | 15.0 s | 119 g/km |
| 1.2 | 50–58 mpg | 13.4–14.0 s | 113–133 g/km |
| 1.2 Dualogic | 53 mpg | 14.0 s | 125 g/km |
| 1.2 ECO | 57 mpg | 14.0 s | 119 g/km |
| 1.3 MultiJet | 66–67 mpg | 13.0–13.1 s | 109–114 g/km |
| 1.4 | 44 mpg | 9.5 s | 154 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Fiat Panda (2004 – 2012)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
92%
Real MPG
32–78 mpg
MPGs submitted
588
Fiat Panda (2004 – 2012) interior
- Boot space is 206–861 litres
- Euro NCAP rating of four stars
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3538–3578 mm |
| Width | 1578–1606 mm |
| Height | 1522–1540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2299 mm |
The steering wheel is height-adjustable, but the rim is too thick. Smaller women with small hands are not going to like that at all. There are airbags for driver and passenger, and the passenger's can be easily switched off. Front windows are electric. Door mirrors are manual, tiny and don't have enough range of adjustment. Interior plastics look very basic, yet also thick and strong.
There's masses of headroom in the back and three can sit comfortably across the back seat, but there are only seatbelts for two and I didn't like the sharp exposed front seat runners that look like they could do a lot of damage to people's feet in an accident.
Annoyingly, you need the key to open the back hatch and in the basic Pistachio Panda Active 1.1 version I was driving, the rear backrest folds down but that's it. Even in upmarket versions, only the backrests flop down 50/50, so if you want more luggage space you have to unbolt the seat entirely and leave it at home. With the seats up there is more luggage space than in the Kia Picanto.
Panda 100
I'm a Panda fan. I like the Panda 1.1 Active. I like the Panda diesel. I like the Panda 4x4. So why did the indisputably cute Panda 100HP not quite push all my buttons?
It looks terrific. Like a souped-up small Fiat should. A basic, upright tiny utility car with fat alloys, chunky tyres and a special grille. It's good inside, too, with supportive seats, nice steering wheel and the same brilliant centre switchgear arrangement of all Pandas. Mine came in a gorgeous deep metallic ‘New Orleans Blue'. And it has a rorty exhaust.
I can't work out why they gave it six gears though, because they're all low. Even 6th only gives you 21mph per 1,000rpm. So it's no motorway cruiser. And they're all very close together, not just in ratio, but also in lever movement. It's hard to feel the change of plane shifting from 4th to 5th, though, strangely, much easier to slot from 5th to 4th, or 6th to 4th for that matter.
It hates speed bumps. Can't cope with them at all. Too narrow to straddle metre-wide speed cushions. And crashes badly over street wide flat-tops at anything more than 20mph.
But though it's a tiny car it feels big enough from the inside to mix it with motorway traffic. You aren't intimidated. I had to divert off the M25 a junction early and take the M4 to my destination in Oxfordshire rather than the M40. That left a tedious run up the A424 at the wrong time of day for traffic and overtaking. Yet on the way back, next day, somehow the little car redeemed itself.
It's not actually as perky as you think it will be. A bit flat in all the gears unless you rev the nuts off it. Yet somehow, on a clear, relatively open road, it's quite satisfying and will pull the ton no problem. It's also reasonably economical. I averaged 37mpg, then, in traffic most of the time from West of Oxford to Surrey, it averaged 41 on the trip computer. Keep to 60 - 70 and you would too.
Where the normal Panda's electric steering has an ultra light City mode and a normal mode, on the 100HP it's normal or Sport. At low speed Sport feels like someone with big hands had grabbed old of the steering column and is squeezing it as hard as they can to create a bit of resistance. Since the electric steering motor is clamped around the column rather than the rack this isn't too far from the truth, though in fact what is really happening is you are getting less assistance. It's not as bad as the Corsa's steering, but it's not as good as it could be.
And while you get such goodies as air-conditioning, Fiat doesn't dig deep enough to give you tumble folding back seats. The backrests flop down onto the squabs and that's it.
I kicked off wanting to like the Panda 100HP. Then I was disappointed. Then its charms grew on me and I ended up liking it after all. I can't make a rational case for this, except that for a sporty car the running costs are tiny. An official 43.5mpg combined, 154g/km so Group D VED and £125 a year. A tiny kerb weight of just 975kg.
A MINI's the expected way to have fun. The Panda 100HP is a cheaper, more cheerful way.
Fiat Panda (2004 – 2012) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3538–3578 mm |
| Width | 1578–1606 mm |
| Height | 1522–1540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2299 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 840–975 kg |
| Boot Space | 206–861 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 12000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £6,860–£12,285 |
| Insurance Groups | 1–11 |
| Road Tax Bands | B–G |
| Official MPG | 43.5–67.3 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 3 |
| Child | 2 |
| Pedestrian | 1 |
| Overall | 4 |
On sale until June 2012
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 Active 5dr | £8,445 | 57.6 mpg | 13.4 s |
| 1.2 Dynamic 5dr | £9,865 | 57.6 mpg | 13.4 s |
| 1.2 MyLife 5dr | £9,255 | 57.6 mpg | 13.4 s |
| 1.3 16v MultiJet Dynamic 5dr | £12,285 | 67.3 mpg | 13.1 s |
On sale until March 2011
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.1 Active ECO 5dr | £7,960 | 56.5 mpg | 15.0 s |
| 1.2 8v Dynamic ECO 5dr | £8,975 | 56.5 mpg | 14.0 s |
| 1.2 8v Eleganza 5dr | £10,185 | 50.4 mpg | 14.0 s |
| 1.3 16v Multijet Dynamic 5dr | £10,595 | 65.7 mpg | 13.0 s |
| 1.4 16v 5dr | £11,695 | 43.5 mpg | 9.5 s |
On sale until November 2010
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 8v Eleganza Dualogic 5dr Auto | £10,785 | 53.3 mpg | 14.0 s |
On sale until December 2008
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.1 Active 8v 5dr | £6,860 | 49.6 mpg | 15.0 s |
| 1.2 8v Dynamic 5dr | £7,447 | 50.4 mpg | 14.0 s |
| 1.2 8v Dynamic 5dr Auto | £7,447 | - | - |
| 1.2 8v Dynamic AirCon 5dr | £8,034 | 50.4 mpg | 14.0 s |
| 1.2 8v Dynamic AirCon 5dr Auto | £8,034 | - | - |
On sale until April 2008
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.2 8v Dynamic SkyDome 5dr | £8,205 | 50.4 mpg | 14.0 s |
| 1.2 8v Dynamic SkyDome 5dr Auto | £8,205 | - | - |
Model History
- February 2003
- April 2003
- July 2004
- October 2005: Panda Sporting launched
- October 2006: Panda 100HP arrives
- July 2008: Panda Mamy goes on sale
- September 2008: Panda ECO introduced
- February 2011: Panda MyLife launched
February 2003
Small 5-door hatch, was to be called Gingo, actually called Panda. On sale in Europe from 2003, UK from 2004. Length: 3,538mm (11’ 8”) Width (body only): 1,589mm (5’ 2.6”) Height: 1,540mm (5' 1”).
Replaced both old Panda and Seicento from September 2003. Engine range: 1,108 FIRE 8v with 53bhp and 65lb ft torque does 93mph, 0-60 in 14.7 secs, 135g/km CO2.
1,242 FIRE with 60bhp and 75lb ft torque does 96mph, 0-60 in 13.7 secs, 133g/km. 1,251cc Multijet twin cam 16v diesel with 70bhp and 107lb ft torque does 99mph, 0-60 in 12.7 secs, 114g/km so qualifies for Band B £35pa VED.
Square shaped interior with split folding rear seats. High dashboard gear shift. 6 airbags. ABS with EBD. Built in same Polish factory as old Panda and Seicento at rate of 250,000 a year.
April 2003
Base model 1.1 Active is £6,295 on the road (discounted to around £5,000). This includes DualDrive electric power steering, two front airbags, central locking, adjustable steering column, 'follow me home' headlights, Fiat Code II engine immobiliser, RDS radio cassette with four speakers, 'intelligent' windscreen wipers, heater rear window with 'intelligent' wash/wipe, and electric front windows with driver side one-touch facility.
1.2 8v Dynamic at £6,895 adds rev counter, trip computer, body colour bumpers, multifunction display, and ABS with EBD and Brake Assist. 1.2 8v Dynamic Sound for £7,495 has stereo radio CD player, six speakers, a 100 watt sub woofer, steering wheel audio controls, black aluminium roof bars, remote central locking, electric heated door mirrors, foglamps and side rubbing strips.
Alternatively, for the same £600 over the standard 1.2 8v Dynamic, the Dynamic Air-Con comes with manual air conditioning, black aluminium roof bars, remote central locking and side rubbing strips. Or, for £600 the Dynamic SkyDome which comes with Skydome electric sunroof, black aluminium roofbars, remote central locking, foglights and side rubbing strips.
Top model in original range was 1.2 8v Eleganza which, for £8,095, comes with 14" alloys, electric heated door mirrors, black aluminium roof bars, stereo radio CD player, reconfigurable multi-function display, automatic climate control air conditioning, rear folding seats split 50/50 and remote central locking. Or use the extensive accessory list to have your Panda custom built the way you want it.
July 2004
4x4 variant available.
October 2005
Panda Sporting launched
Combines 70bhp Multijet engine with a sporty look. Available only in red or metallic black, has twin offset racing stripes running from nose to tail, and bodykit incorporating redesigned front and rear bumpers, sideskirts and roof mounted rear spoiler. 14” alloy wheels. Inside is trimmed in red and grey cloth; leather steering wheel and gear lever knob, Sporting-embossed kick plates and carpet mats, aluminium inserts around the air vents and gearstick, and sports pedals, CD player. EU4 compliant. Insurance Group 2E. £8,995 OTR.
Dualogic electronically controlled electric clutch manual posing as an auto available on petrol two wheel drives at £700. Readers report it works well. In E mode it moves into 2nd as soon as you get moving (avoiding a 1st to 2nd jolt), 3rd at about 20mph, 4th at 28/30 and 5th at 42/45
October 2006
Panda 100HP arrives
Powered by 1.4 litre 16v FIRE engine tuned to develop 100bhp at 6000rpm, and 97lb.ft of torque at 4250rpm, driving through a six speed manual gearbox (6th photo). All-round disc brakes, ventilated at the front, together with modified springs, dampers, bushes and compliance. With a kerb weight of 1015kg does 0 – 60mph in 9.2s and a maximum speed of 115mph, while still offering 43.4mpg combined cycle and 154g/km CO2) emissions.
Front and rear bumpers are a new, sporty design. Chrome tailpipe standard. Body coloured door handles and wing mirrors. Wheel arches enlarged and blend into new sideskirts. Front fog lights and a tailgate spoiler standard. 15” alloy wheels carry 195/45 x 15 tyres.
Dashboard is of a new darker grey. A leather steering wheel and gear knob are standard, as are split folding rear seats, height adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control, and a new ‘Sport’ button enabling the driver to select sensitivity of both the steering and throttle – normal or sport. When ‘Sport’ is selected, the steering offers less power assistance to provide improved feedback, and the throttle pedal becomes more sensitive. Bluetooth® hands-free technology is also standard equipment. £9,995 OTR on sale from December 2006.
July 2008
Panda Mamy goes on sale
Aimed at young mothers launched. Subtly reworked to increase its appeal to both mother and child (or children), building on the Panda’s already well-proven strengths of manoeuvrability, economy, ease of parking and general practicality.
Based on the 1.2-litre Panda Dynamic, comes with Air-conditioning, Bluetooth hands-free phone compatibility, a 50/50 split and sliding rear seat with ISOFIX attachments, height adjustable driver seat. And, as with all Panda models, a radio/CD/MP3 player, ABS anti-lock brakes, two front airbags and remote central locking are also all standard.
Also a second internal rear-view mirror for viewing any children on the rear seat, bag hooks in the boot, trendy new front seat covers with pockets at the back, washable front and rear seat upholstery, orange air-vent surrounds and special carpet mats with a high grip mat in the boot. Available in two new exterior colours, aubergine and orange (as well as the existing black and grey) the body-colouring is extended to the door handles, door mirrors and boot handle.
Unique Mamy logos also feature under each of the front wing indicators. With more than £1,000 worth of extra equipment, the Panda Mamy represents excellent value for money at £8,200. It costs £5 less than the Panda Dynamic Aircon model – yet comes with all the Mamy features.
September 2008
Panda ECO introduced
Low 119g/km CO2 petrol engined Panda Active 1.1 ECO and Dynamic 1.2 ECO launched with low rolling resistance tyres. Active 1.1 ECO has 54 bhp at 5000 rpm, while Dynamic ECO 1.2 has 60 bhp at 5000 rpm. Both return 42.8 mpg in the urban cycle; 68.3 mpg extra urban; and 56.5 mpg combined.
Top speed for the Active ECO is 93 mph, with a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 14.5, while the Dynamic ECO does 96 mph and has a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 13.5 seconds. Active ECO’s standard equipment list includes: immobiliser, driver and passenger airbag, ABS anti-lock braking with EBD, electric power steering, Follow Me Home headlights and electric front windows; while the Dynamic ECO also gets remote central locking, colour coded bumpers and a CD/MP3 player.
Panda Active ECO costs £7,105 on the road and the Panda Dynamic ECO £7,705. But thanks to a reduction of the VED tax band from C to B, there is an immediate saving of £85 to owners.
February 2011
Panda MyLife launched
Based on1.2-litre 8v (69bhp) Active model and comes as standard with 14-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning and remote central locking. Launch price a cheap £6,995.
What to watch out for
Quality problems such as old Punto fault of brake master cylinder washer reversing itself, causing pedal to stick to floor and have to be hooked up again.
Reports of poor fuel economy and heavy engine oil consumption of Multijet contradicted by other reports of excellent economy.
One report of engine mounting collapse, on a 2004 1.1 Active. Also on 54 reg 1.2 Dynamic, faults by mid 2007: 5th gear rebuilt, complete failure of the electric power steering and currently in the garage with a split front caliper slider pin causing overheating and squealing.
Loud banging noises from mid front underside of car on wet roads traced to water getting into parking brake assembly, which gets hot, and boiling off, causing the banging noise. Fixed under warranty after lengthy investigation.
By later 2009 power steering column motor failures were becoming increasingly common.
Complaint of Multijet diesel misfiring and losing power on hills in the wet.
Clutch master cylinder prone to eventual failure.
20-06-2011:Oil cooler of 1,248cc diesel is integral with oil filter mount, using engine coolant to cool the oil and these sometimes fail. Check header tank for any sign of oil in it.
12-08-2013:Numerous faults developed during the first 6 months and 6,500 miles on a 13k mile 2009 Panda bought used in January 2013: both rear dampers, corroded exhaust bracket, cooling system leak.
03-02-2014:Two reports in remarkably quick succession of timing chain failures on 2008 Panda 1.3 Multijet, one at 100k miles and the other at 60k miles ,despite 7,500 mile oil and filter changes.
14-11-2015:PAS problems with EPAS randomly switching off during driving often due to a weak battery or poor/corroded battery and earth connections in the engine compartment. The PAS electric motor draws a high current and when the earthing is poor and there is therefore a resistance, the PAS management system detects the lack of current and switches the PAS off. A full removing/cleaning of all battery and earth connections in the engine compartment can solve it completely.
24-04-2016:Worse than superficial rust reported in rear suspension twist beam of 80k mile Panda Multijet diesel. Likely to fail its next MoT.
28-02-2017:Soft front rear wishbone bush led to MoT failure on 38,500 mile 2005 Panda 1.2. Fiat dealer quoted £164.11 total to replace.
03-05-2017:Report of intermittent EPAS failure on 2010 Panda 4x4.
11-07-2017:Report of 2007 Panda Dualogic failing to engage any of its gears.
24-07-2017:Dualogic automated manual of 2007 Panda exported from Belgium to Nigeria "practically refuses to engage in gear by either the manual or the auto." Owner changed the oil and still the car has not moved. Unfortunately, typical.
19-07-2019:Report of failure of plastic waterpump housing on 1,242cc 2011 FIRE engined FIAT Panda.
