New Fiat family SUV to focus on affordability and spaciousness

• All-new mid-size SUV
• Based on the Fiat Grande Panda platform
• Likely to arrive next year

It was only recently that Fiat pulled the covers off the new Grande Panda, but the Italian brand is set to introduce a new mid-size SUV in the near future, aimed squarely at the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai. At an event celebrating Fiat’s 125th anniversary, CEO Olivier François confirmed that a new “affordable, spacious and desirable” mid-size model was in development, inspired by the boxy design of the original Fiat Panda.

Specific details are still under wraps for Fiat’s upcoming family SUV, but we’ve been given some clues as to its design, price and engine options. A launch date is yet to be confirmed, but there’s a good chance that we will have our first look before the year is over, with production likely to commence in 2025.

What do we know so far about Fiat’s new SUV?

While we’d love to see the return of a Fiat estate car, François was very clear about the SUV form factor of the new mid-sized model, stating that “we’re going to build utility vehicles, because that’s what we know people want”. SUVs are all the rage in Europe, routinely topping the best-selling cars charts, so it’s no surprise that Fiat wants a piece of the action.

The new model will be based on the Smart Car platform, shared across the different brands that fall under Stellantis ownership, including Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall and Jeep. It’s the same architecture underpinning the new Fiat Grande Panda, although it will be lengthened and widened for this SUV application.

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That’s not the only thing the new mid-size SUV will share with the Grande Panda; the two cars will wear similar styling, as shown in our exclusive images. It will take on a blocky design language, with bold shapes and styling cues, including the ‘pixel’ front and rear lighting treatment. However, François made sure to note that the new model would not be named Panda, but its styling would be “Panda-inspired”.

Along with a traditional, boxy SUV model, Fiat will launch a fastback version, with a coupe-esque sloping roofline. It’s a strategy many other manufacturers have adopted, including Skoda with the Enyaq Coupe and Ford with the new Capri. It’ll be designed to appeal to customers who don’t necessarily need the practicality of a traditional SUV, but like the chunky, high-riding look.

We expect the new SUV’s interior to follow similar lines to the new Grande Panda, including an oval-shaped dashboard and widespread use of recycled materials. The Grande Panda’s tech will probably be carried over, too, meaning all cars could come with a 10-inch driver’s display and a 10.25-inch touchscreen for infotainment. However, the SUVs larger dimensions should translate to a much roomier interior compared to the Grande Panda, with a more usable second row of seats and a larger boot. Unlike the new Citroen C3 Aircross, which shares Fiat's Smart Car platform, the new SUV is destined to carry five passengers only, with no option of a seven-seater model.

What engines will the new Fiat SUV have?

There’s no official word on engines yet, but the Smart Car platform opens the door to both internal-combustion and electric powertrain options. We expect the new SUV to be available with a similar engine choice to the Grande Panda; that would mean a 1.2-litre three-cylinder hybrid or a single-motor electric model.

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The electric Grande Panda will be sold with a 44kWh battery, so it’s likely that the same unit will find its way into the new SUV, connected to the same 111bhp motor. Most electric SUV buyers today will expect a minimum range of around 200 miles, but it’s unclear whether a long range model with a larger battery will be offered. In a market of electric SUVs with over 300 miles of range, including the new Kia EV3 and Renault Scenic, it’s certainly a possibility.

How much will the new Fiat SUV cost?

Of course, pricing of Fiat’s new SUV is speculative at this stage, but we do know that affordability will be one of its key selling points. The electric Fiat Grande Panda is confirmed to cost from around €25,000 (£21,000) in Europe, so it wouldn’t be surprising if an electric SUV cost closer to €40,000 (£34,000). Hybrid models will be even more affordable, but official pricing will be unveiled once the new SUV has been unveiled in full. 

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