Overview
Overview
The Fiat Panda has always stood for simplicity, charm and everyday usefulness — and the all-new Fiat Grande Panda brings that philosophy bang up to date. Slightly bigger than before but still city-friendly, this new model blends retro Panda character with modern electrification, clever design touches and genuinely usable tech.
Available as both a fully electric model and a mild-hybrid petrol, the Grande Panda feels purpose-built for modern driving — whether that’s short urban trips, school runs, or the odd motorway spin. After spending time behind the wheel, it’s clear Fiat hasn’t just revived a name — they’ve revived the spirit of the Panda too. The Grande Panda’s bold new look is sure to turn heads, and the Irish market has been eagerly awaiting it’s arrival.
Pros
- Stand-out design with real character
- Clever built-in charging cable (EV)
- Easy-to-use interior with physical controls
- Comfortable ride around town
- Competitive running costs
Cons
- Performance is relaxed rather than sporty
- Interior materials prioritise durability over luxury
Exterior
Fiat has absolutely leaned into Panda heritage with the Grande Panda — and it works. The boxy shape, upright stance and squared-off edges are clear throwbacks to the original 1980s Panda, but the execution has a modern twist.
Bold colours replace the usual sea of greys (a welcome change), while pixel-style LED lighting front and rear gives it a distinctive look day or night. Subtle branding details — Panda embossing, Fiat lettering and contrasting trim pieces — add personality without feeling gimmicky.
At just under four metres long, it’s compact enough for tight Irish streets and car parks, but it looks far more substantial than a typical supermini. Roof rails and chunky wheel arches give it a mini-SUV feel, ready for any adventure!
Exterior
Interior
Inside, the Grande Panda is refreshingly straightforward. Fiat has focused on simplicity and usability, and it shows. The dashboard layout is clean, controls are clearly marked, and crucially, physical buttons remain for climate control — something many drivers will appreciate.
The infotainment system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the digital driver display gives you all the essential information without clutter. There’s no need to dive through endless menus — everything just works.
Materials are mostly durable plastics, but many are made from recycled sources, including fabrics and trim elements. It doesn’t feel luxurious, but it does feel honest and well thought-out. Seating is comfortable up front with a slightly raised driving position that gives good visibility, while rear passengers benefit from decent headroom thanks to the boxy roofline.
The boot is impressively usable for the size, offering 361 litres, easily enough for the weekly shop, buggies or sports gear.
Interior
Performance
On the road, the Grande Panda is relaxed and easy-going — exactly as intended. The electric version delivers smooth, quiet progress with power coming in gently rather than instantly. It’s not quick off the line, but it feels perfectly suited to town driving and stop-start traffic.
The hybrid model offers a familiar petrol feel with electric assistance at low speeds, particularly when manoeuvring or creeping in traffic. Neither version is designed for spirited driving, but both feel composed and predictable in everyday use.
The Grande Panda has impressed us – it may not be sporty, but never feels out of its depth for normal driving conditions.
Performance
Reliability
Fiat has focused heavily on robustness and ease of ownership with the Grande Panda. Everything feels solidly assembled, and the mechanical simplicity — particularly in the electric version — should bode well for long-term reliability.
Standard safety systems include autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition and driver attention alerts. These features are now mandatory, but Fiat has integrated them smoothly without them feeling intrusive.
With fewer complex systems than larger EVs, the Grande Panda should be a reassuring long-term ownership prospect.
Handling
Around town is where the Grande Panda shines. With light steering, good visibility and compact proportions, it’s very easy to hustle through narrow roads and park in even the tightest spaces.
Suspension is tuned for comfort rather than sportiness, soaking up bumps and poor road surfaces well — particularly important on Irish roads. At motorway speeds it remains stable and comfortable. Overall, it’s an easy, stress-free car to drive, which will suit its target audience perfectly.
Handling
Safety
Safety is a strong suit here. All models come well equipped with popular, modern driver assistance features, while with higher trims, you’ll get added extras like reversing cameras and additional monitoring systems.
Braking performance on the Grande Panda is confident, visibility is excellent, and the car feels secure at all speeds. It feels solid and well built, inspiring confidence on the road and packed with comprehensive safety tech. There’s no surprise that the Grande Panda feels like a trustworthy daily companion.
Summary
- Exterior
- 91%
- Interior
- 88%
- Performance
- 85%
- Reliability
- 89%
- Running Costs
- 92%
- Handling
- 85%
- Safety
- 90%
The Fiat Grande Panda isn’t trying to be something it’s not — and that’s exactly why it’s so appealing. It’s cheerful, clever and refreshingly simple in a world of increasingly complicated cars.
For Irish drivers looking for an affordable, efficient and genuinely likeable compact car — whether electric or hybrid — the Grande Panda makes a very strong case for itself. It’s practical enough for daily life, cheap to run, and packed with personality.
Most importantly, it puts a smile on your face — and that’s something the Panda has always done better than most.