The Panda is as much a part of Italian life as great food and fantastic coffee, so when an all-new version comes along - and bear in mind that this is only the third generation - it’s a big deal. Much like what the Citroen 2CV did for France many decades ago, the Fiat Panda was, and still is, a car that was highly affordable and kept a nation mobile.
The Grande Panda may be much larger than its predecessor, but it remains a compact SUV and crucially, is aiming to make electric vehicle ownership an affordable prospect for the masses. We got behind the wheel of the first electric model to launch, starting on the famous rooftop test track of the former Fiat factory at Lingotto, in Turin.
How big is the Fiat Grande Panda?
Coming in just shy of four metres long, the Fiat Grande Panda very much fits into the compact crossover or compact SUV segment. Officially, it’s a B-segment car, so that puts it up against popular hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero, Opel Corsa and Renault Clio, as well as higher riding cars including the Citroen C3, Nissan Juke, SEAT Arona, Skoda Kamiq and Toyota Yaris Cross. The Panda’s boxy design maximises interior space while front and rear overhangs are kept short, which should make it easier to squeeze into tight parking spaces. The exterior dimensions for the Grade Panda are:
Overall length: 3,999mm
Overall width: 1,763mm (2,017mm including mirrors)
Overall height: 1,573mm (1,615mm including roof rails)
Wheelbase: 2,5490mm
One of the other positives to the Grand Panda’s size is that the weight of the electric version is kept down to 1,554kg, which isn’t bad by electric vehicle standards. That’s down to a modestly sized 43.8kWh LFP battery. Fiat also revealed plans to potentially add both a larger capacity battery for those who feel they need more range, and also a smaller battery that would bring the cost down further. Later in 2025 there will be a petrol-fuelled hybrid Grande Panda that will weigh 1,315kg or 1,347kg depending on specification. The hybrid will use a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine and will have a slightly larger boot.
What’s it like inside the Fiat Grande Panda?
A mixture of colour, recycled materials, practical features and space make the Fiat stand out from many of its rivals. Even though Fiat has had to dip into the Stellantis parts bin for some items to manage costs, it doesn’t feel or look that way. Ingress is easy, whether it’s to the front or rear seats. The dashboard is a blend of technology and some heritage-based whimsy. The dual-screen setup consists of a 10-inch instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen, both inset in a transparent luminous yellow oval that signifies the famous Lingotto rooftop test track of the old Fiat factory, complete with a tiny first-generation boxy Panda car rounding the bend.
The driver’s display also uses that track shape for its battery level and power meter. It’s a simple layout with little in the way of additional menu screens. We spent quite a few minutes looking for a way to find the different trip computer readouts and such, only to discover that Fiat has omitted them entirely. The company reckons its owners will only want to see the basics, such as how much battery and range is remaining.
That simplicity is repeated in the infotainment menu system, which allows the basic settings to be changed and little else. If you want to do more, you’ll need to connect your smartphone and use either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. A wireless phone charging pad on the centre console (part of the Tech Pack and also styled with that oval track design) is a plus, though with the usual Stellantis rocker switch for the automatic transmission it does seem like a poor use of space, especially given that the mild-hybrid will also have an automatic gearbox.
We’re fans of the seats though; while being reasonably comfortable, their upholstery and design - that includes a squared grid pattern - stands out as being different while keeping a nod to the 1980s. That theme runs throughout the car, including the pixel-style LED daytime running lights, which are inspired partly by computer game graphics of that era and also by the factory windows of the Lingotto factory.
The Grande Panda’s boxy design will give rear passengers little to complain about in terms of space back there. Headroom is more than adequate for those of average height, and there’s sufficient legroom for this segment, too. Usefully, the front seat design means it’s quite easy to get your feet in underneath if you want to stretch out a bit more. The middle seat, as is often the case, is less comfortable and, due to the centre console’s position, has reduced legroom as well. You don’t get rear air vents either, but there are two USB-C charge ports. Both of the outer rear seats are also equipped with ISOFIX child seat mounting points.
How big is the boot on the Fiat Grande Panda?
The electric version of the Grande Panda gets boot space of 361 litres. That consists of 350 litres in the main compartment and a further 11 litres underneath the boot floor. The rear seats have a 60:40 split and can be folded down to boost overall cargo capacity to 1,315 litres (including that 11 litres under the floor). There is no extra storage area under the bonnet at the front.
In the Grande Panda hybrid, the boot is slightly larger at 412 litres, which is down to having 62 litres of storage under the boot floor.
Driving the Fiat Grande Panda
The Grande Panda’s brief is to be a practical electric car for use around towns and urban centres, and it manages that. Power and performance take something of a back seat, though its 113hp motor makes the Fiat feel brisk enough when getting away from the lights. Fiat makes a point of highlighting that its 0-50km/h time is 4.2 seconds, which is probably more relevant than the 11 or so seconds it takes to get up to 100km/h. Another factor in the Fiat’s nimbleness is the relatively low weight for an EV. At 1,554kg it does feel refreshing lighter on its feet than many other electric cars. That weight also does it some favours when it comes to how it uses up the energy in its 44kWh battery.
Our first drive with the car wasn’t quite lengthy enough to see just how close it can come to delivering on its 320-kilometre WLTP range. It seems more than capable of providing a real-world range in the high 200 kilometres if you’re mostly sticking to lower-speed town and city driving.
The suspension is on the firm side but nothing we’d class as harsh or uncomfortable. It did a decent job of smoothing out the broken sections of tarmac and speed bumps we experienced around Turin. The Panda’s steering is light, and could be a bit more communicative, but overall, we have no complaints with how it drives. The short wheelbase is more likely to make it feel busier at higher motorway speeds, though we didn’t get the try that out during out time with the car. We also would expect the range figure to take a dent with such driving.
Although it has a squarish design with a flat top and bottom, the steering wheel feels good in hand and the multifunction controls are easy to use with just a thumb. The driving position has a fair amount of adjustment, with a height adjustable driver’s seat and steering column that moves for reach and rake. The A-pillar is on the thicker side which we’re not so keen on, as it’s wide enough to easily block a car at a junction as well as cyclists and pedestrians. Rearward visibility is fine (there’s a reversing camera too) and it’s useful to be able to see the end of the bonnet when parking.
What’s the driving range and charging speeds of the Fiat Grande Panda?
The official combined WLTP range figure for the Fiat Granda Panda is 320 kilometres, but as we mentioned in the driving section above, that figure will change depending on how and where you’re driving.
When it comes to charging there are three different options available. The built-in AC charging cable (which we are major fans of) will be an option in some countries and can charge at up to 7kW. That will recharge the battery from 20 to 80 per cent in 4 hours 20 minutes. There’s an 11kW AC charger port at the rear of the car to complete the same charge in 2 hours 50 minutes. Coupled to that is the DC fast charge connection, which has a peak rate of 100kW and will bring the battery from 20 to 80 per cent charge in 27 minutes. There isn’t any battery preconditioning available and nor is there a heat pump, though Fiat is considering the latter for introduction down the line.
How safe is the Fiat Grande Panda?
At the time of writing the Fiat Grande Panda has yet to go through Euro NCAP testing. There is a good level of safety equipment as standard in the Grade Panda including six airbags, active safety brake, lane keeping assist and a driver drowsiness warning. It also complies with the latest GSR2 safety regulations, so it will give audible speed limit warnings for exceeding the posted speed. This can be deactivated at the start of any trip by pressing and holding a button on the centre console.
The reasons you’d buy a Fiat Grande Panda
Aesthetics are a part of the Fiat Grande Panda’s appeal, but so too is the practical nature of it. If you’re looking to get an electric car and prefer the taller and chunkier look of an SUV yet don’t want the massive size (or weight) then the Fiat should be on your shopping list. Most typical daily commutes aren’t that long, so the 44kWh battery will be plenty for a lot of people, while the fast charging is enough to recharge most or all of the battery while you’re doing your weekly shopping. Above all else, this is one of the few electric cars currently on sale that just oozes charm. It’s got a cool design and with keen pricing could become a modern-day icon.
How much does the Fiat Grande Panda cost in Ireland?
As yet there is no official pricing for the Grade Panda in Ireland, and with right-hand-drive cars unlikely to appear on our shores before June 2025, it seems we’ll have to wait a while longer before we know what it will cost. Hopefully, Fiat can come close to matching the price of the entry-level Grande Panda Pop in Italy, which is €16,950, even adding Ireland’s additional vehicle registration tax.
Ask us anything about the Fiat Grande Panda
If there are any details relating to the Fiat Grande Panda that we’ve not covered, or you’d like advice in choosing between it and other vehicles, you can avail of our (completely free) expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
