Simple, affordable and practical made the original Fiat Panda a success. Can the 2026 Fiat Grande Panda Electric preserve that formula while adding distinctive styling and electric power? Vicki Butler-Henderson tests it to find out whether this modern city car is worthy of the Panda name.
The Grande Panda range starts at around £19,000, with petrol-hybrid and electric power available. Vicki drives the range-topping La Prima Electric, priced at almost £24,000. Its 43.8 kWh battery and 113 hp motor deliver 0-62 mph in about 11 seconds, an 83 mph top speed and almost 200 miles of range.
Inspired by the 1980 Panda, the new model combines retro design with five-door practicality, sustainable materials and a built-in charging cable.
WHAT’S IMPRESSIVE
• Characterful design that raises smiles wherever it goes
• Useful 361-litre boot, expanding to 1,315 litres
• Built-in 4.5-metre retractable charging cable
• Comfortable ride over poor B-road surfaces
WHAT TO CONSIDER
• Almost 200 miles of range trails rivals offering around 250 miles
• Low-speed power delivery could be smoother
• The suspension is not as sophisticated as the class leaders
• Rear passenger space is adequate rather than exceptional
DESIGN AND PRACTICALITY
Slightly longer and taller than the Renault 5, the Grande Panda features pixel LED headlights inspired by Fiat’s Lingotto factory and distinctive Panda branding. Its 361-litre boot is larger than those in the Renault 5 and MINI Electric, expanding to 1,315 litres with the rear seats folded.
INTERIOR AND TECHNOLOGY
The bright cabin uses aluminium and plastic recovered from 140 drinks cartons per car, while bamboo fibres feature in the dashboard. La Prima equipment includes heated front seats and steering wheel, parking sensors, a rear-view camera, wireless phone charging and four USB-C sockets. Physical buttons provide quick access to key functions.
CHARGING, RANGE AND DRIVING
The built-in cable charges the battery from 20 to 80% in just under four and a half hours using a home wallbox, while a separate port enables a public charge in under 30 minutes. The Grande Panda keeps pace with traffic and cushions occupants from potholes, but its low-speed responses and suspension leave room for improvement.
WHEELS AND TYRES
The La Prima has 17-inch alloys featuring Fiat’s X design and Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance 2 tyres, rated 4.6 out of 5 by thousands of verified drivers on DriverReviews. Lower-specification models are also available with white 16-inch steel wheels, which Vicki thinks look particularly good.
RIVALS
The Renault 5 remains the benchmark, offering greater range, stronger performance and a more sophisticated drive. The MINI Electric also provides more range and performance, while the Renault 4 and Hyundai Inster are further alternatives.
VICKI’S VERDICT
Vicki considers the Fiat Grande Panda Electric a worthy addition to the electric city-car market. She loves its nod to the past, sustainable materials and smile-inducing design, but concludes that it cannot knock the Renault 5 off the top spot.
Watch the full review for Vicki’s complete verdict.
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to the Fiat Grande Panda Electric
00:23 Price and powertrain options for the Fiat Grande Panda
00:57 Exterior design and history of the Fiat Grande Panda
02:43 Built-in charging cable and charging times for the Fiat Grande Panda Electric
04:00 Boot space and practicality of the Fiat Grande Panda
04:29 Wheels and tyres fitted to the Fiat Grande Panda
05:14 Find the right tyres with DriverReviews
05:48 Interior and technology in the Fiat Grande Panda
07:48 Rear-seat space in the Fiat Grande Panda
08:25 Battery, performance and regenerative braking in the Fiat Grande Panda Electric
09:00 Low-speed response and ride comfort in the Fiat Grande Panda Electric
09:24 Electric range and rivals for the Fiat Grande Panda
10:01 Final verdict on the Fiat Grande Panda Electric
WATCH NEXT
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