Fiat Panda 4x4 (2005 – 2012) Review

The Fiat brand has been synonymous with Europe’s most affordable 4x4 since a basic all-wheel-drive system was fitted to the first Fiat Panda in 1983. The model’s mechanical simplicity, durability and off-road abilities quickly found universal favour, particularly with utility companies across Europe.

You’d think a diminutive, all-wheel-drive machine such as this would be unique to the market, but by the arrival of this second-generation car rivals existed in the form of the Daihatsu Terios, the popular Suzuki Jimny and the Subaru Justy.

As we’ll point out in our Fiat Panda 4x4 review, however, none of them could hold a candle to the Italian car’s mud-plugging prowess.

The second-generation Fiat Panda 4x4 built on the mechanical simplicity of its long-serving predecessor with a variable torque distribution, permanent all-wheel-drive transmission system capable of automatically transferring up to 50% of engine torque to the rear wheels. 

Employing front and rear differentials and a central viscous coupling, this robust, low-maintenance drivetrain is completely automatic and entirely mechanical, requiring neither driver input nor electronic control, and imbues the Fiat Panda 4x4 with outstanding ability off-road and in severe weather.

Combine this foolproof all-wheel-drive system with improved wheel articulation, a ground clearance of 165mm, short front and rear overhangs, and a weight of well under 1000kg even in its heaviest guise, and the Fiat Panda 4x4 proves all but unstoppable in even the most vile conditions.

Its light weight ensured it trundles happily over snow and mud that heavier 4x4s inevitably get bogged down in.

When this second-generation car launched, Fiat went out of its way to demonstrate that it was no toy. More than one million test kilometres, undertaken through some of the world’s harshest terrain, attested to both the Fiat Panda 4x4’s remarkable off-road abilities and the durability of its drivetrain. 

In Lapland, the car performed faultlessly in temperatures of minus 40 degrees, maintaining traction and stability on slippery surfaces, and overcoming snow-covered gradients of more than 40%.

In the Kalahari Desert, the most mechanically debilitating of unsurfaced roads, combined with dust, sand and 45 degree temperatures, subjected the Fiat Panda 4x4’s drivetrain and suspension to the harshest of examinations.

Finally, two Fiat Panda 4x4s set out from Kathmandu in Nepal to drive through the Himalayas to the Mount Everest advance base camp, sited at an altitude of 5200 metres. This was the first time a small off-road vehicle had achieved this goal, a feat made all the more remarkable by the absence of any modification to the standard car except minor engine control unit adaptations appropriate to the local petrol.

On the road, the Fiat Panda 4x4 further augments the additional levels of traction and stability inherent in a sophisticated, variable torque distribution all-wheel drive system with ABS anti-lock brakes, complete with electronic brakeforce distribution, and MSR to modulate brake torque whilst changing down a gear.

At launch, the Fiat Panda 4x4 cost just £8995 on-the-road, and boasted just one engine choice and one trim level. It was fitted with Fiat’s proven FIRE 1.2-litre, eight-valve, 60bhp unit mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, and took a somewhat leisurely 20 seconds to reach 62mph.

In August 2008, the Fiat Panda Cross was launched. This features even chunkier styling and a bespoke front end, but most importantly is fitted with a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engine, which is much preferable to the standard 1.2-litre petrol unit.

The comprehensive standard equipment package featured electric front windows, central locking, Dualdrive electronic power-steering, twin front airbags and a Blaupunkt stereo radio cassette.

Moreover, the availability of up to six airbags, automatic climate control, parking sensors, a Sky Dome electric sunroof, steering wheel audio controls and a stereo CD with MP3 player imbued the Fiat Panda 4x4 with a level of on-board sophistication and refinement unparalleled in this class.

The second-generation Fiat Panda 4x4 also offered a fine array of both active and passive safety features. It was the first car in its class to offer up to six airbags, whilst front seatbelts with pretensioner and load limiter, three-point rear seatbelts and anti-submarining seats are all fitted as standard.

Unlike most of today’s overweight, over-complicated, electronically nannied 4x4s, the Fiat Panda 4x4 is immensely appealing to drive off road – properly involving in an old-fashioned mechanical way, and great fun.

With modifications to the MacPherson strut front and independent rear suspension, the Fiat Panda 4x4 offers improved wheel articulation in off-road conditions and a ground clearance of 165mm.

This revised and strengthened suspension system affords the Fiat Panda 4x4 surprising off-road comfort and performance.

Allied to its increased ground clearance, the Fiat Panda 4x4’s short front and rear overhangs make it ideally suited to the most challenging of off-road conditions, with approach, departure and breakover angles (the maximum angles of incidence that may be undertaken without the body touching the ground) of 24, 42 and 24 degrees respectively.

The Fiat Panda 4x4 will also readily climb gradients in excess of 50%.

While the standard Fiat Panda is nimble and agile on the road, the Fiat Panda 4×4 suffers due to its raised ride height and taller suspension. The ride is very bouncy and there’s too much body roll in corners, which can be uncomfortable for passengers.

Thanks to the four-wheel-drive system, there is good traction, though, and plenty of grip from the high-profile tyres.

The biggest issue, though, is noise. The off-road-tuned suspension and larger tyres result in intrusive noise in the cabin which – along with the often vocal engines – can make the car tiring on long journeys.

Be that as it may, we think a little extra noise is a small price to pay for a car which will consistently humble larger, more complicated 4x4s off road, climbing impossible gradients with alacrity and flying cheerfully over mud and snow that will bog down heavier, vastly more expensive all-wheel-drive machines .

The Fiat Panda 4x4 went on sale in the UK fitted with Fiat’s FIRE 1.2-litre, eight-valve, 60bhp engine mated, via a five-speed manual gearbox, to a variable torque distribution four-wheel-drive transmission system.

The little unit struggles for pace and has to be worked hard. It’s not as noticeable in town, but on major roads it feels distinctly underpowered, with 0-62mph taking a very leisurely 20 seconds. 

The Fiat Panda Cross, launched in late 2008, is fitted with a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel, which is much better – if only because it doesn’t need to be revved as hard, thanks to more low-down pulling power.

With 70bhp it’s marginally faster, covering the 0-62mph benchmark in 18 seconds. Fuel economy is good, too, with 54mpg achievable, compared to 43mpg in the petrol.

The four-wheel-drive transmission is a simple, robust, yet highly effective system capable of mastering severe winter roads, challenging off-road conditions and gradients of more than 50%.

The system features a front differential allied to a power transfer unit (PTU), a two-piece prop shaft, a viscous coupling in front of the rear differential, a rear differential module (RDM) and front and rear side shafts.

Under normal driving conditions when there is negligible front wheelspin, the front and rear wheels rotate at almost identical speeds, as do the discs within the viscous coupling, and 98% of engine torque is automatically directed to the front wheels.

Whenever front wheelspin occurs, however, the viscous coupling discs connected to the front differential via the prop shaft will spin commensurately faster than those attached to the rear differential, the resultant interaction of fins and perforations agitating the surrounding fluid, raising its temperature and increasing its viscosity.

This increase in viscosity elicits a coupling effect between the two sets of discs, with a commensurate increase in the spin velocity of the output shaft and a transfer of torque to the rear differential.

Hence the viscous coupling provides a locking action proportional to the difference in speed between its input and output shafts; the higher the speed difference, the greater the torque transference, up to a maximum of a 50:50 split between front and rear wheels. 

The Mk2 Fiat Panda only scored three stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests, which is disappointing. Nonetheless, it was the first car in its class to offer no fewer than six airbags as standard on some models, with driver and passenger airbags standard across the range.

The 1.2-litre petrol engine Fiat Panda 4x4 is fitted, as standard, with ABS and brake assist, while the Fiat Panda Cross is equipped with side airbags and stability control as well.

The Fiat Panda 4x4 has a braked towing capacity of 800kg.

Unlike the Fiat Panda 4x4’s exterior – which differs from the standard, front-wheel-drive car by way of the addition of a 50mm increase in ground clearance, revised front and rear bumper designs, an engine sump guard and black aluminium roof rails – the interior is identical to that of the standard car.

Just 3538mm long, the car still manages to devote nearly 70% of that length to passenger accommodation, with four doors accessing spacious, comfortable seats.

Thanks to an optional innovative, 50:50 split/folding, sliding rear seat, the diminutive 206-litre luggage compartment may be quickly and easily increased to 236 litres, with an impressive 860 litres becoming available with it fully folded.

The seat-folding mechanism can be operated from inside either the passenger or luggage compartments.

Flip up the small parcel shelf for better loadspace access and it clicks into the vertical position, meaning you’ll inevitably forget to lower it again until you drive off and discover you can see nothing through the rear view mirror. This is a slight pain, because you need the ignition key to open the tailgate…

The driving position is a tad upright, somewhat enforced by the absence of reach adjustment to the steering wheel. But the front seats are extremely comfortable and the view out through the vast windscreen is excellent.

The Fiat Panda 4x4’s tall-sided design means that rear-seat passengers aren’t cheated out of a view either.

Protruding from the bottom of the centre console, the gear lever is delightfully close to hand, adding fun to the driving experience. In fact, about the only beef we have with this interior is the need to leave the car’s sidelights on in daylight to illuminate the driver’s instrument binnacle. Failing to do so means the dials are unreadable.

Happily, the lights go out when you switch the car off, so there’s no threat of a flat battery.

The open bin on the passenger side of the dashboard could do with steeper sides to prevent anything you put in there leaping into the footwell at the first corner. But the glovebox is a respectable size, even if the door pockets are not.

By modern standards, the Fiat Panda 4x4’s unremittingly grey interior looks and feels somewhat sub-standard.

But all is tough as gristle and the switchgear and controls lose none of their easy, positive action with age. Everything you need is on the centre console, including the front electric window switches.

Topped by a CD player, the console is sensibly laid out, the ventilation controls in particular reminding us of how much, in this touchscreen age, we miss the use of a well-engineered knob.

What impresses most is how well screwed together everything is. It’s toddler proof and rattle-free.

There really isn’t any to speak of. The Fiat Panda 4x4 is equipped with a cassette player. But there’s no USB or Bluetooth connectivity, so you can forget about charging your phone, let alone playing any stored music.

What you’re left with, then, is the 2005 staple of small hatchbacks – an AM/FM radio with four speakers.

Still at least you’ll never take your eyes off the road to hunt down a podcast.

There are plenty of 1.2-litre petrol engine cars available in the 2005-2012 bracket, but surprisingly few powered by the much more wholesome 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel.

We found three reasonably priced 1.2-litre cars – a 2007 model with 67,000 miles on the clock for £2490, a 2009 car that’s covered 90,000 miles for £2280 and a 2010 Fiat Panda 4x4 with 81,000 on the clock for £3490.

Pre-2013 Multijet models seem scarce, but we did unearth one 2012 car with 97,000 miles for £4250.

If you want a four-wheel-drive car, then few are as affordable to run as the Fiat Panda 4x4. Insurance is the same as with the standard car, while servicing and parts are well priced.

Fuel economy is good, too. The 1.2-litre engine returns 43mpg, although this is down on the standard 1.2 Fiat Panda, which is capable of 50mpg. The Fiat Panda Cross averages 54mpg.

The Fiat Panda 4x4 is fairly green – the 1.2-litre engine emits 155g/km of CO2 and return 43mpg. The Fiat Panda Cross is better still. Thanks to the 1.3-litre MultiJet engine, it emits 136g/km of CO2 (making it cheaper to tax) and manages 54mpg.

We’ve not heard of any major problems with the Fiat Panda since it was introduced and the build quality appears to improve upon other Fiat models before it.

As most of the components were designed for heavier duty models – and will generally be subjected to less strain than with the Fiat Panda 4x4 – they should be fairly durable.

At launch, the Fiat Panda 4x4 was available in one unique trim level, offering unusually high levels of standard equipment in its segment. 

The specification included the following: ABS with EBD, remote central locking, Fiat Code II Engine immobiliser, twin front airbags, four three-point inertia reel seatbelts, electric front windows with driver's ‘One Touch’ facility, electric, heated door mirrors and RDS radio cassette with four speakers.

There was also Dualdrive electric power steering,  ‘Follow Me Home’ headlights, ‘Intelligent’ windscreen wipers, heated rear window with ‘intelligent’ wash/wipe, foglights, 14-inch alloy wheels, black aluminium roof bars, body-coloured bumpers, front and rear body shields, and an engine sump guard.

Joining the model range in 2008, the Fiat Panda Cross standard equipment list built on that of the Fiat Panda 4x4 with the addition of ESP, air-conditioning, radio and MP3-compatible CD player with steering wheel audio controls and electric power-steering.