Fiat Panda hatchback - Interior & comfort

Whereas some small cars can feel cramped, the Fiat Panda feels light and airy inside thanks to its tall roof and large windows. This good visibility also makes it an easy car to drive in town and manoeuvre around crowded car parks.

Fiat Panda dashboard

One of the recurring design themes in the Fiat Panda is a rounded-edged square that Fiat calls a ‘squircle’. This shape can be found on the dashboard, the buttons and even the dials in front of the driver. But while the Panda’s interior looks good, it feels quite cheap in parts, and we’re not sure how well it will stand up to the ongoing wear and tear of family motoring. It's also fairly dated, with a sluggish touchscreen infotainment system and trip computer where the Fiat 500 has sharp displays. If you want more features, it's necessary to connect your smartphone and use the standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection. Rivals like the Hyundai i10 and Dacia Sandero Stepway are better equipped, with large touchscreens that feel more modern to use.

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There’s plenty of room for the driver and front-seat passenger, but the steering wheel only adjusts in and out, not up and down, so some people might not be able to find the perfect driving position. The seats are on the firm side, as well, so while they offer plenty of support, they could become uncomfortable on a longer journey. 

Equipment

The Panda City Cross comes with more plastic cladding around the headlights and rear lights to add to the SUV-like styling, and fog lights are added, too. The gimmicky (RED) and Garmin editions don’t really offer anything much extra, and are both derived from the Panda City Cross. 

The (RED) version gets roof bars, an air cabin filter, and a steering wheel, seats, interior upholstery and boot floor treated with a biocide substance that kills up to 95% of viruses, fungi and bacteria. It’s also available in a choice of four unique colours. Fiat says that by buying a (RED) Panda, you’ll also trigger a donation that supports the (RED) charity which fights against global health emergencies like AIDS and Covid-19.

Garmin models get higher roof bars, 15-inch matte black style alloy wheels, a unique interior with black and orange touches covered in the Garmin logo. These models are also available in a different choice of colours and come with a Garmin smartwatch included.

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Options

Options have mostly disappeared for the Fiat Panda as of mid-2022, but customers can spec a space-saver spare wheel for £200 extra.