What is it?

Fiat sells some of the best small cars in the world and the Panda is one of its greatest hits.

The current model has been around since 2012 and has been a strong contender in the A-segment city car category.

Fiat is expanding its product portfolio and now offers a fun, funky and fresh take on the larger B-segment category – introducing the Grande Panda.

The firm is branding it as its ‘World Car’, and will be sold in over 60 countries across the globe.

What’s new?

Everything about the car is new. The exterior features a lot of design cues from the original Panda and its interior includes a lot of bright and interesting colours.

Sustainability is a key focus of the Grande Panda. The materials used inside the cabin are made up of recycled drink cartons and the top-of-the-line models include a wooden dashboard effect that is made from real bamboo fibres.

The Grande Panda is one the first cars in the world to feature an in-built charging lead – which is located behind the front Fiat logo. Plus, the car sits on the Stellantis’ ‘Smart Car Platform’ which allows for a multiple selection of drivetrains. So, what’s it like? We’ve been finding out.

What’s under the bonnet?

There are two options for the Grande Panda. A regular hybrid or an electric version.

We’re driving the EV which comes with a 44kWh battery pack and electric motor to produce 114bhp. Its acceleration stands at 0-60mph in 11.3 seconds and the car runs onto a top speed of 82mph.

Fiat claims that the electric Grande Panda can travel up to 199 miles between top-ups. The car comes as standard with 100kW DC rapid charging, enabling a 20 to 80 per cent charge to be completed in 33 minutes.

All versions come with an automatic gearbox as standard with power being sent to the front wheels.

What’s it like to drive?

Small Fiats are all about being fun, and the Grande Panda excels in this area. The steering is nice and light, has great feedback and there is sufficient grip from the tyres.

Around town, the car’s compact dimensions mean parking is easy and narrow streets are taken in its stride.

On the motorway, the car is refined with little intrusion of tyre, road and wind noise. Visibility is excellent thanks to the larger side windows and door mirrors, too.

Push a little harder and the Grande Panda begins to struggle, with a lot of body roll around the corners. But, that doesn’t spoil the car’s characterful charm.

How does it look?

The looks are individual and unique. The front headlights hark back to the original Panda from the 1980s and feature a pixel LED design.

The black plastic wheel arch extensions give the car a beefier appearance. The side profile is dominated by the embossed Panda logos and the C-pillar features a Fiat logo.

Our test car comes with roof bars and a bold paint scheme called ‘Limone yellow’, making the car stand out.

At the back, the large engraved Fiat logo is located on the boot lid and the pixelated LED taillights finish off the car’s funky look.

What’s it like inside?

The interior design harks back to a lot of Fiat heritage. The cylindrical dashboard design has been inspired by the firm’s Lingotto test circuit. There are embossed Fiat logos on the door cards, and the seats have the firm’s logo on them.

Recyclable materials are scattered throughout the cabin with top-spec cars getting a wooden wrapped dashboard – which is made from real bamboo fibres.

It’s a cheap car, and the interior quality isn’t plush with lots of hard and brittle plastics – which scratch easily.

Space in the back is average with a decent amount of headroom but legroom will be a squeeze for six-foot adults.

The boot space varies on which powertrain you go for. Our electric test car comes with a 361-litre capacity – which is smaller than the hybrid’s 412-litre.

Unfortunately, the electric version doesn’t come with a frunk, making the car not as practical as some of its rivals.

What’s the spec like?

The UK gets the choice of two different flavours of Grande Panda. The range consists of Red and La Prima.

The hybrid model starts at £18,975 – making it one of the cheapest cars in its class. Spend an extra £2,000 and that will get you into an electric version for £20,975.

All models come with plenty of kit featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen, LED headlights, air conditioning and rear parking sensors.

We’re driving the flagship La Prima, which is priced at £23,975. It boasts 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear-view camera, front parking sensors and climate control. However, an energy-saving heat pump is not offered on any model.

Verdict

Fiat has really shown what it is capable of with the Grande Panda. It looks good, comes with bucketloads of character and is fun to drive.

Prices are affordable and there is sufficient interior space. Clever design features such as the in-built charging cable and funky design elements all make this little car a very tempting proposition.