12/08/09

• Price7995
• We like...Fun to drive, cheap
• We don't...Only two airbags as standard

Little city car may have been around for a while. But it's good value and more popular than ever. Time to buy one?

The Panda’s an old model, long in the tooth and Fiat plans to replace it early in 2010. But, even though it has been with us nearly seven years, it’s currently enjoying stronger sales than it has for much of its life.

Why? Our hunch is that it’s a back-to-basics car for a back-to-basics time. And we kinda respect it for that.

It’s a practical, wedge-shape that’s definitely out of step with swoopier, ‘now’ designs. But it’s styled precisely as it should be for a little car that gave as much cabin space as it could.

Because the Panda’s a five-door-only car – there never was a three-door – it’s properly roomy for its four occupants (though you can – just – squeeze in a fifth if you pay extra for an optional, extra belt). You sit high and, from the off, you quickly notice as driver that your seat dsn’t adjust for height. No matter: most shapes and sizes can get comfy and the steering ds, at least, adjust for height. The short, dash-mounted gear shifter is nicely placed, helping to make it an easy drive, although pedals offset to the left take practice to get just right.

Out back there’s a fair sized boot, which you can enlarge by dropping the seat back. But, unless you pay extra, it’s a one-piece affair, which limits people/luggage-carrying combinations.

The view out is good, the screen and side windows cut lower than in many a newer design, while the big, near-upright rear glass makes reverse parking a cinch. The dash is no thing of beauty and the plastics used to build it are hard and cheap. But it is well sorted, with big switches and buttons that are easy to find and use and, with its big, handy air vents, it has a no-fuss, no-hassle sense to it that we like. Similarly the rest of the cabin is plain but tough. Those two-tone seats look well and hold you softly but in fair comfort

Our Dynamic model, perched in the range between Active (basic) and eleganza (top-line), comes with remote locking, leccy front windows and a fair-enough stereo but you’ll have to wiggle its smallish door mirrors into place by hand using old-school levers, while air conditioning costs extra. Anti-lock brakes come as standard as do front airbags for driver and his co-passenger.

One novel gadget is the ‘City’ button. Press it and the assistance for the steering rises to make finger-twirling the wheel possible, although it reverts to normal once above 30mph. It’s fun, but of little practical use unless your muscles are truly feeble because the standard set-up’s pretty light.

To drive, it’s a hoot. The little 1.2 petrol motor has hardly any power but it revs gamely and, if you’re driving alone, it’ll punt the little car along with a fair dose of fizz. Add in quick-ish steering and a ride that pitches you around but still takes off the worst of the bumps and it is a fun bundle. Fuel economy is as good as you'd want, but nothing to brag about.

Buy one? If new, you need a good deal to compensate for the fact that it’s an old model and newer rivals beat it for standard kit and all-round value. Second-hand? Keen prices and low, low running costs make for a great bargain baby. We’re fans.

To view and buy new and second-hand Fiat Pandas for sale on motors.co.uk, click here

• Engines1.2 petrol
• Power60bhp
• 0-60 mph14.0secs
• Economy56.5mpg
• CO2g/km119
• Insurance groups2
• EuroNCAP
• Airbags2
• Seats4

Motors.co.uk value verdict: