Can small be fun and practical when it comes to 4x4 driving? That was what was on my mind when I took the upgraded Fiat Panda 4x4 for a test drive. It’s small and very compact, but is it really a practical option for farming families?
The new-look Panda is smoother in terms of design and this gives it a modern look. The 4x4 badging is subtle on the side of each door, but the higher stance on the road tells you there is something different here.
I’m not sure if most people you pass by will notice the difference; you’ll probably have to explain that it has 4x4 capabilities and even then most will doubt you. Out in the mud and dirt, the Fiat Panda 4x4 can acquit itself well.
These small 4x4 crossovers are very popular among farm families in Alpine regions of Europe, where difficult conditions are combined with steep slopes and snowy driving conditions. For many farming families in Ireland, we don’t experience this type of weather, but I’ve heard lots of recent predictions for a repeat of the snow of 2009 again this year.
And that’s where a car like the Fiat Panda 4x4 comes into its own. It’s light and compact and has surprising go-anywhere ability.
In an effort to lower wear and tear and reduce driving costs, the Panda 4x4 operates in front-wheel drive mode during normal driving conditions.
Once the car’s sensors detect a loss of traction, then power and torque is automatically sent to the rear wheels via an electronically controlled central coupling.
Despite its small size, the Panda 4x4 comes with both electronic stability control (ESC) and electronic locking differential (ELD) as standard.
The ELD will provide additional traction on slippery snow or icy conditions, as Fiat claims that is sends the engine torque to the wheels with the most grip by braking the slipping wheels. ELD is activated at the press of a button on the dash in front of the gear lever and it operates at speeds of up to 50km/h.
Take the Panda 4x4 across the fields and it can cope well. The 4x4 system can be engaged by a button on the dash just in front of the high-mounted five-speed gear lever. Engage and drive; this small car can handle ruts and obstacles with ease. I would feel comfortable taking this 4x4 to more places than some of the bigger SUVs with claimed off-road ability.
On the road, the new Panda has an improved suspension to give better handling and comfort, even if it’s sitting higher off the ground. The car has some limited underbody protection, as standard, for those off-road forays.
Fiat powers the Panda 4x4 with a 1.3-litre turbo-diesel multijet engine, which, at 75bhp, is more than adequate for the car’s ability. The engine is smooth and relatively quiet and delivers good acceleration for its size.
The addition of the 4x4 system adds extra weight to the car and there is a slight penalty when it comes to car economy. The official rating is 21km/litre (4.7l/100km or 60 mpg) and I found that it came near to this in practice, just over 10% more, even after some off-road antics that always lower the economy performance.
The fuel tank is relatively small, but then this is a small car and should give a range close to 600km, based on my driving experience. That’s reasonable for a light car that has go-anywhere ability and is fun to drive.
After some time with the Panda 4x4, I asked myself should this be a more reasonable option for farmers who use a car or 4x4 just for herding?
I’ve seen some of these Panda 4x4s in Italy with 20+ years of service behind them. They can provide cheaper off-road motoring than many of the 4x4s that are proving expensive to run.
Fold down the rear seats and there’s loads of space, along with a space-saver spare wheel, which annoyingly adds €50 to the already rather high cost of the small car.
Entry prices start at €19,995, which is a hefty €6,000 more than the equivalent petrol-engine base model.
This is clearly not the kind of value that will win over many rural drivers. Maybe there are better deals to be done on the ground, because there certainly needs to be. CL
Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet 4x4
Engine 1.3 litre
Engine power 75bhp
0-100km/h 14.5 seconds
Economy 21km/litre
Fuel tank capacity 35 litres
CO2 emissions 125g/km
Road tax band B1 €270
Main Service 20,000km
Euro NCAP rating Four star
Towing rating 900kg
Warranty Five years
Entry price €19,995
NI price £16,945
SHARING OPTIONS