Fiat has long dominated Europe’s A-segment with the 500 and Panda duo, but its absence from the B-segment since the Punto’s retirement in 2018 left a huge gap in the lineup. That all changed in 2024 with the arrival of the Grande Panda, a budget-friendly supermini that blurs the line between hatchback and crossover. More: Fiat Surprises With New Grande Panda That Keeps The Manual AliveTo clear up any confusion, the Grande Panda isn’t a replacement for the aging Panda (now renamed Pandina). That role will be filled by a smaller Fiat set to appear in 2030. At 3,999 mm (157.4 inches) long, the Grande Panda shares its bones with the Citroen C3 and competes with other value-driven crossover hatchbacks like the Dacia Sandero Stepway.We recently spent time with the latest addition to Fiat’s Panda family to see what it brings to the table, and how it fits into Fiat’s modern lineup.As with the majority of small hatchbacks and SUVs from the Stellantis stable, the Grande Panda is available with gasoline, mild-hybrid, and fully electric powertrains. For now, all versions are front-wheel drive, though Fiat plans to add an AWD model soon.Our test car is the 2025 Grande Panda Hybrid in the flagship La Prima trim, finished in Lago Blue.Styling That Blends The Past and Future The design of the Grande Panda is a win for Fiat, tastefully combining nostalgic references to the original Panda from the ’80s with modern styling cues. The boxy silhouette, raised stance, and plastic cladding create a crossover stance that’s accentuated by the aluminum-style skid plates and 17-inch alloy wheels of the high-spec La Prima trim.More: Restored 1986 Fiat Panda 4×4 Is A Cute But Rugged Italian Off-RoaderLook closer and the car is filled with small design Easter eggs. The pixel-style LEDs and grille mimic the windows of Fiat’s Lingotto factory in Turin. “Panda” is engraved along the doors, repeated in 3D form on the tailgate, and the old striped Fiat badge makes an unexpected comeback on the fenders, C-pillars, and rear bumper.During my time with the Grande Panda, I was surprised by how many people were checking it out on the street, instantly recognizing it as a Fiat. This proves that good design can be the best marketing tool for a brand even when applied to product that rides on shared underpinnings (we’ll come to that in a second).Playful and Practical Interior The charm continues in the cabin, which feels much livelier than its budget tag suggests. True, most surfaces are hard plastic, though they’re sustainably sourced, and Fiat has made clever use of color and trim to keep things visually interesting.A good example is the bamboo-fiber dashboard trim, a feature unique to the flagship La Prima model that makes you feel like you’re always heading to a Mediterranean beach.More: Fiat Turns Fastback Concept Into A New PandaAnother cool touch is the pill-shaped digital cockpit, serving as a homage to the oval track on the roof of the Lingotto factory and featuring a miniature first-gen Panda inside the yellow-tinted transparent trim. The setup comprises a 10-inch cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment display, although the latter is replaced by a smartphone holder in the entry-level Grande Panda Pop.I also enjoyed the comfortable seats with the modern design, the light-colored trim all around the cabin, and the physical controls for the A/C on the center console. What I didn’t like that much is the glossy black plastic trim on the pill-shaped center console that hurts the perceived quality by being a scratch magnet.Review: We Drove The New C5 Aircross And Lost Our Jeep’s Compass To Citroen’s ComfortPracticality is top-notch with multiple storage compartments, although it would be nice if the dashboard self had a rubber cover so that smaller items don’t move around in every single turn. Despite its sub-4m footprint, the Grande Panda can comfortably seat four adults, and even five for smaller trips. Rear legroom and headroom are pretty good for the segment, as is the boot that can hold up to 412 lt (14.5 cubic feet) of luggage.What’s It Like on the Road? The Grande Panda rides on Stellantis’ Smart Car architecture which is shared with the Citroen C3, as well as the larger C3 Aircross and Opel Frontera. The budget-oriented chassis is different from the CMP/eCMP that underpins the other small hatchbacks and SUVs of the group, and was initially developed for emerging markets like India and South America.More: Fiat’s Next Big Thing Is This Small Thing Reviving A ClassicMy first impression when I got in the car was the ultra-light steering at standstill, reminding me of the “City” setting on older Fiats. It gets slightly heavier as you start moving, but retains the agile feeling in urban environments. The first thing I noticed once behind the wheel was the feather-light steering at low speeds, a callback to Fiat’s old “City” mode. It gains some weight as you move, staying agile and easy to place in tight streets.The suspension provides a comfortable ride without sacrificing nimble handling. The budget character of the model is only evident in major road imperfections, where the platform doesn’t feel as refined as in more expensive rivals.The performance of the mild-hybrid 1.2-liter engine is good, with the electric motor mounted in the responsive dual-clutch automatic filling in the gaps and moving the car at low-speed maneuvers. The biggest advantages of this setup compared to the non-electrified alternative is the notably lower fuel consumption and the more silent drive. Of course, the small 0.9 kWh battery means that the effect is not as evident as in a full hybrid like the Toyota Yaris, but it does improve the overall experience.The Grande Panda was also better than I expected on the highway, being a noticeable step up compared to the smaller and much older Pandina. There is some wind and tire noise at higher speeds, but nothing that will make you uncomfortable.A minor gripe is the constant chimes from safety systems like the speed limit warning. They can be turned off via a button on the center console, though annoyingly, you have to do it after every start-up.I was also disappointed by the absence of advanced driver-assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, which really should be available at least on the top La Prima trim.Pricing and Rivals In Greece, where we tested it, the Grande Panda starts at €16,990 ($19,700) with a non-electrified engine, manual gearbox, and the basic Pop trim. This makes it one of the cheapest models in the B-Segment, being incrementally more expensive than the Dacia Sandero Stepway at €16,890 ($19,600) and slightly cheaper than the closely-related Citroen C3 at €17,300 ($20,100).The mild-hybrid auto version starts at a sensible €21,077 ($24,500), while the fully-equipped La Prima that we tested is priced at €24,677 ($28,700). The most expensive Grande Panda is the fully electric La Prima at €28,877 ($33,600) before incentives.Besides the aforementioned crossover-style hatchbacks from Dacia and Citroen, the Grande Panda has plenty of indirect rivals at similar price points. The Seat Ibiza and Skoda Fabia from the VW Group are notable alternatives to the entry-level gasoline version, as is the similarly-priced Kia Stonic small SUV.Those looking for something bigger and more spacious can always check out the Citroen C3 Aircross which sounds like a bargain at €18,900 ($22,000), or the more rugged Dacia Duster which starts from €20,500 ($23,800) in the same market.Verdict The Grande Panda is exactly the kind of car Fiat needed to strengthen its presence and image in Europe. It’s affordable, practical, and styled with just enough character to stand out from the crowded field of small hatchbacks and crossovers.Despite sharing its underpinnings with the Citroen C3, it manages to clearly identify itself as a Fiat, carrying its own distinct personality.Review: 2026 Dodge Charger Sixpack Sounds Off But Drives Better Than You ThinkYes, its budget nature shows in the interior materials and high-speed ride refinement, but in urban settings it shines, feeling comfortable, lively, and easy to drive. The mild-hybrid version hits the sweet spot of the range, sitting between the bargain petrol/manual model and the niche electric one.
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