2014 Fiat Panda Easy and Trekking Review

2014 Fiat Panda Easy front quarter

Panda – a large, adorable bear-like animal from the forests of China, high on the endangered species list.

Fiat Panda – a five door, compact minivan-like automobile built in a Polish factory with a range of two- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, potentially high on the endangered species list.

“Why Panda?” seemed to be the first question to pop out of everyone’s mouth on first encounter with the newly arrived Italian, followed by a polite giggle. It’s an unseemly name for a diminutive car, a bit like calling your Chihuahua Titanic. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Or in this case, a car by its name.

Although new to Australia, the Panda from Italy has been in production for 33 years but is still only in its third generation. While relatively popular, mainly in Europe, with 6.4 million sold since 1980, it is a complete newcomer to Australia.

To make things worst, the little Panda is competing in the price sensitive, overpopulated light car class. On the other hand, its quirky styling and boxy dimensions also make it a standout.

So, can the Fiat Panda irk out a living in the urban jungle? We spent some time with the Easy and Trekking to find out.

Design and Comfort

2014 Fiat Panda Easy rear quarter

Available in four models, the range kicks off with the Pop priced from $16,500 (currently drive away) and works its way up to $24,000 plus for the pseudo AWD Trekking via the mid-range Easy and Lounge.

Measuring just 3,650mm long with a 2,300mm wheelbase, the Panda is only slightly longer than the Volkswagen up!, yet has an interior that lives up to its name. It feels positively roomy and light, and will seat four adults with ease. Headroom is generous and the cargo compartment is a useful 225 litres.

Its amusing exterior design is echoed in the unconventional interior dotted with squircles. And no, that’s not a typo. It’s the square and circle combination motif that is the unifying design of the Panda. The seat covering (in the Easy), aircon controls, instruments, interior door handles and the window in the C-pillar…. all squircular.

2014 Fiat Panda Easy interior dashboard

The Panda’s upper dash and door trim are also scattered with alphabets that make up the car’s name.

While all models get Fiat’s Blue&Me Bluetooth, USB and Aux connectivity, only the front passengers get the luxury of power windows. It has also been a while since I have to reach over to the passenger side to adjust the door mirror, as electric adjustment is only standard on the Lounge and Trekking.

There are a few other annoying niggles, too. First is the unforgivable tilt-only steering. While this may not be an issue for taller drivers with longer arms, stature-challenged motorists would find it an inconvenience. Then, there is the non-height adjustable driver’s seat in the Pop and Easy, which adds to the predicament. The seat itself though, is comfortable.

Score: 7.0/10

Performance and Handling

2014 Fiat Panda Trekking engine

Three engines are on offer in the front-wheel drive Panda in Australia. The 51kW/102Nm 1.2-litre FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotised Engine) 4-cylinder petrol-engined Pop is paired with a 5-speed manual.

The 63kW/145Nm, 875cc two-cylinder TwinAir – a gutsy little engine with impressive fuel economy – is share between the Easy and Lounge, paired with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed Dualogic automatic.

The sole diesel engine of the range is found in the Trekking model. Its 55kW/190Nm 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel drives a 5-speed manual.

For this test, we sampled the 5-speed manual Easy and the mini Land Rover-like Trekking. Both get standard Start&Stop systems to aid fuel-efficiency (interestingly, the steering remains powered even when the engine is off).

2014 Fiat Panda Trekking front quarter

The perky TwinAir has surprisingly strong mid-range torque and good performance, despite sounding like there’s an army of little helpers frantically cranking the thing with a spanner. It is hard to launch smoothly with an abrupt clutch take-up but muscles its way through the 5-speed manual effortlessly once on the move.

In contrast, the turbo-diesel in the Trekking is smoother on all rev range and is just as effortless from the get go. It marries beautifully with the smooth shifting 5-speed manual. Strangely, I prefer the sound of the diesel to the raspy TwinAir.

The electric power steering is quite well weighted, affording easy maneuvers at parking speed while weighty enough to feel secure on the open road. It is by no means quick, but the Panda doesn’t profess to be a hot hatch either.

As expected, the skinny 175 section tyres doesn’t offer the kind of traction expected of fatter rubbers but that only adds to its entertaining nature around the bends, with body roll, understeer and protesting tyres a prominent feature.

Out on the straights though, its Macpherson front and torsion beam rear suspension seemed to cope well with the ruts and bumps on typical Aussie tarmac, with a less busy ride than some other small cars we have tested.

Score: 7.0/10

Quality

2014 Fiat Panda Easy interior front seats

As with other recent Fiats we have tested, fit and finish are all up to the scratch with consistent gaps and flush fitting panels. There are also no major annoying rattles from within the cabin. On top of that, the Panda is a five-star crasher if things got out of control.

The doors however, do sound and feel a bit tinny.

Score: 7.0/10

Economy

Our week of predominantly city driving returned 6.6L/100km in the TwinAir Easy and 5.2L/100km in the Trekking. These figures were achieved with the Start&Stop system disengaged throughout the test, due to the summer heat (aircon gets turned off when the system is on, although the fan keeps turning).

Score: 7.5/10 

Features

2014 Fiat Panda Trekking interior seat warmer

Besides the lack of rear power windows and electric mirror adjustment in the lower end models, the Fiat Panda is quite well equipped.

All models get daytime running lamps, steering wheel audio/phone controls, remote central locking (although bizarrely there isn’t a lock/unlock button in the cabin for the doors), air conditioning (climate control for Lounge and Trekking) and Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

On the safety front, ABS, BAS (Brake Assist System), VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), 6 airbags and rear parking sensors (except Pop) are standard.

The Trekking even gets heated windscreen and front seats as standard.

Score: 7.0/10

Verdict

Our Score: 3.5/5

There are lots to like about the Fiat Panda. Its perky yet fuel efficient engines, spacious and versatile interior and quirky likeable design.

Although based on the familiar Fiat 500 platform underneath, it is still an unknown in Australia. There are also better handling city cars out there that cost less, and even entry level small cars that don’t cost much more a mid-spec Panda.

We suggest driving all of them before deciding.

Price (Excl. on-roads):From $16,500 to $24,000

Fiat Panda Easy as tested: $19,500

Fiat Trekking as tested: $24,000

Warranty:3 years/150,000km
Engine:PopEasy & LoungeTrekking
1.2-litre FIRE 4-cyl petrol0.9-litre TwinAir 2-cyl petrol1.3-litre MultiJet 4-cyl turbo-diesel
51kW@5,500rpm, 102Nm@3,000rpm, front-wheel drive63kW@5,500rpm, 145Nm@1,900rpm, front-wheel drive55kW@4,000rpm, 190Nm@1,500rpm, front-wheel drive
Transmission:5-speed manual5-speed manual/Dualogic5-speed manual
Combined Fuel Consumption (L/100km):Claimed: 5.2Claimed: 4.2(m), 4.1 (D)

Tested: 6.6(m)

Claimed: 4.2

Tested: 5.2

Body:5-door hatchback
Safety:5-star ANCAP
Dimensions (mm):Pop, Easy, Lounge:

Length: 3,653 Width: 1,643 Height: 1,551 Wheelbase: 2,300

Trekking:

Length: 3,686 Width: 1,672 Height: 1,605 Wheelbase: 2,300

Tare Mass (kg):950 – 1,040
Towing Capacity (kg):Unbraked: 400

Brake: 800 (Pop, Easy, Lounge), 900 (Trekking)

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