FIAT Panda got bigger too...
\t● We have the first images of the new Grande Panda that will join the brand's global lineup.
\t● The Grande Panda will be built based on the new Stellantis Smart Car platform like Citroën ë-C3.
Hold onto your espresso, folks, because Fiat has just unveiled the new Grande Panda, and it's already causing a stir. Despite what the name might suggest, this isn't some hulking SUV ready to take on the world. No, it's a small crossover that's going to wedge itself into Fiat's already crowded global lineup.
This Grande Panda, built on the new Stellantis Smart Car platform and sharing its DNA with the Citroën ë-C3, offers seating for five and comes in both hybrid and electric variants. It's got the makings of a modern vehicle, sure, but let's not kid ourselves – it's yet another addition to the ever-growing pile of SUVs and crossovers.
Fiat's international fleet continues to balloon, while the North American lineup remains frustratingly sparse. And now, they've released the first images of the Grande Panda, a crossover for the European B-segment that's supposed to make us swoon. But does it really?
For starters, despite the 'Grande' in its name, the Panda isn't exactly a behemoth. At 157.1 inches, it's 2.7 inches smaller than the segment average and a whopping 10.1 inches shorter than the Fiat 500X, which was already on the small side. So, we've got another SUV that's bigger than its predecessor, but still not big enough to justify the 'Grande' moniker.
Design-wise, Fiat has certainly tried to make a statement. The Grande Panda is brimming with design details that scream 'concept car,' yet it's unclear if these flourishes will stand the test of time. The pixel-themed headlights and taillights are trendy, borrowing cues from the Hyundai Ioniq 5, while 'PANDA' and 'FIAT' are embossed in bas-relief on the sides and rear. The 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels continue this pixel theme, harking back to the 1980s. Retro charm aside, it feels a bit like a desperate attempt to stand out in a market flooded with lookalikes.
Underneath all this styling, the Grande Panda is built on the Stellantis Smart Car platform, just like the Citroën ë-C3. Expect the electric version to come with a 44.0-kWh battery pack, offering an optimistic 199 miles of range based on the European WLTP cycle, and producing a modest 113 horsepower. The hybrid model should feature a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor for a bit more kick.
But here's the thing: do we really need another crossover, especially one that's not living up to its 'Grande' name? Fiat seems to be banking on the idea that more SUVs will keep them relevant, but perhaps it's time to rethink this strategy. The Grande Panda might have some eye-catching design elements, but it's just another small SUV in a sea of similar vehicles, and its size doesn't bring anything new to the table. Fiat, it might be time to go back to the drawing board.
