Should you buy one?

If you’re looking for a compact and frugal urban SUV that’s as enjoyable to drive as it is to look at, then Fiat’s hybrid Grande Panda should be at the top of your test-drive list. The bedrock of Fiat’s storied history is accessible mobility, and its most successful models have combined character and affordability in equally generous measures. Small cars with big personalities are what it does best. The new hybrid Grande Panda picks up that baton with an effervescent confidence that its rivals may struggle to match.

The more expensive MG ZS Hybrid+ lacks Panda’s polish and refinement – not a sentence we’d ever thought we’d write about a small Fiat. The sharp-suited Renault Captur E-Tech is an excellent all-rounder with a dynamic glint in its eye, but you’ll need to find a larger chunk of money each month.

It’s arguably only the Citroen C3 – the Panda’s brother from another Stellantis mother – that comes close to matching the Panda’s style, affordability and versatility. It’s easy for us to recommend the Grande Panda with confidence, but if you take the plunge do ensure your relationship at your local Stellantis dealer is as positive and enjoyable as the Panda’s driving experience.