What is it?

Fiat’s Panda 4x4 has been with us since the early 80’s, and although there isn’t many left of the original model, especially in the UK, it’s still remembered fondly to many as an incredibly capable and affordable 4x4.

Fast forward to 2015 and we’re on the 3rd generation Panda, and not only do we have the option of a 4x4, but we also have the range topping 4x4 Cross.

The Cross has all the features of the Panda 4x4, plus an all terrain control selector switch, automatic climate control, 60/40 split folding rear seats and a lot more rugged styling and off-road features.

On the road

When the Cross arrived at Muddy Towers it was was put straight to work, I didn’t even have time to read any of the usual press bumf that came with it.  We did a few errands then drove the CLA Game Fair at Haresford House, near Harrogate, and on the Sunday we bombed it to CarFest North at Oulton Park.

Upon leaving Oulton Park the low level fuel light appeared, so we pulled into a petrol station in the middle of nowhere next to a diesel pump.  On opening the fuel cap I was shocked to discover that what I'd been driving was the 2 cylinder, 90 HP petrol version.  In all honestly, for the past 2 or 3 days I could have sworn that I had been driving one of the 1.3 diesel models, I was genuinely surprised!

We zipped here and zoomed there, the little Cross was great around town and easily kept up with motorway traffic, and then some.  Whatever the road, it was remarkably comfortable and quiet, though on acceleration it produced a lovely raspy note - which explains why I thought it was a diesel.

The high seating position coupled to the extra ground clearance and large windows mean that visibility is fantastic, parking something has never been so easy!

With its top speed of 104mph, as I mentioned, it’ll keep up quite easily with most things on the motorway, and on country roads it’s quite a blast!

Off the road

I’m sure you’ve all seen videos on Youtube of TV presenters taking a Panda 4x4 off-road in an attempt to embarrass bigger and more expensive 4x4’s, which by the way it’s fully capable of doing.  The Panda is such a wonderfully compact off-roader and is lighter and more nimble than whatever it’s pitted against, which is usually a massive Range Rover.

If you want to go further than a muddy car park, and quite frankly why wouldn’t you, then you will be grateful for Fiat’s All Terrain Selector.  The ATS allows you to choose between three 4×4 operating modes: AUTO (automatic distribution of traction between the two axles depending on grip conditions) OFF-ROAD (distribution of torque between the four wheels, transferring the drive to those with the greatest grip on the ground), HILL DESCENT CONTROL (for optimal management of descents on particularly steep slopes or very uneven surfaces).

Admittedly, I didn’t go all-out with the Cross, but we did have some fun and it handled everything with ease, even balancing on its 2 opposing wheels and driving off without so much as a hint of wheel-spin.

I’m pretty confident that there wont be a lot that can stop the Panda Cross, thanks to the ground clearance (16 cm), decent approach angle (24°) and the grippy 185/65 R15 M+S all-season tyres.

Interior

Ok, let’s start off here by reminding you that it’s quite a small car, it’s a Panda when all said and done, so don’t expect the word cavernous to be thrown around!  That said, up front for the passenger and driver you don’t feel cramped at all, it’s actually not a bad place to be, even for my 19-stone mass, and the switchgear is well placed too.  My only grievance is that there isn’t a lot of space around the pedals for my size 11 feet and if you're a normal size human (6ft +!), don't even attempt to sit in the back.  

If I’m being negative, although the 6-speaker CD/MP3 radio belted out quite a good sound, the Blue&Me infotainment system was a bit of a faff, though I’m quietly confident if you live with it for longer than a week you’d get used to it.

Engines ‘n’ transmissions

I still have difficulty believing that you can get so much performance from a 2 cylinder, 875cc engine!

Anyway, with the Panda Cross you have 3 engine choices, the 0.9 TwinAir petrol, and a 80hp and 95hp 1.3lt MultiJet Diesel.  Both diesels have 5-speed manual boxes, the petrol gets a 6-speed manual.  Consumption figures are all similar, as you can see here:

TwinAir 90hp:        Urban - 47.9mpg, Extra Urban - 65.7mpg, Combined - 57.6mpg.
1.3, 80hp Diesel:    Urban - 57.6mpg, Extra Urban - 61.4mpg, Combined - 60.1mpg.
1.3, 95hp Diesel:    Urban - 58.9mpg, Extra Urban - 64.2mpg, Combined - 62.8mpg.

Performance wise the petrol will get you to 60mph in 12 seconds and reach 104mph, whilst the 80hp diesel will do 60mph in 14.3 seconds and reach 99mph, and the 95hp is 12.7 seconds and 104mph.

Conclusion

I loved it, simple as that.

With prices starting at £16,225 (£17,530 on the press car) it’s fairly reasonable too, but would it make sense to spend a little less on the standard 4x4?  Maybe, but I doubt that it would make you smile as much.

One thing you can’t be in the Cross is shy as it’s quite bold and therefore receives a lot of attention, granted, not all of it may have been flattering, but I loved it.

At the end of the week I was genuinely sad to see it go, even though I’m not usually into small cars, I would seriously consider including a Cross to our Muddy fleet, we had a great time together, it was a hoot!