Fiat's city car, the Panda, has long suffered the indignity of a "cute and cuddly" image, says Gavin Conway in The Sunday Times. But its off-road 4X4 models have struck a bolder pose. The latest Panda Cross is "the most gnarly yet" and its off-road capacities are "astonishing".
Conway took the Panda to a working quarry in the Cotswolds where Fiat had constructed an off-road route "that was frankly hilarious in a you've got to be joking' sort of way".
There were deep fords, "mud-slicked inclines of ridiculous steepness, slopes that looked more like cliffs and rocky outcrops that looked like potential car killers". The little Fiat coped with it all "like a deranged mountain goat on a mission".
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Of course, unless your school run takes you through a quarry you're unlikely to make the most of these capabilities. But the Panda is still an all-round practical performer, with lively performance and a comfortable ride.
It isn't the most refined or sophisticated of city cars, says Chris Ebbs in AutoExpress, but the addition of four-wheel-drive "adds a real charm" to the Panda. Its off-road capabilities are indeed "astounding", but on the road it's "nothing special".
So given that most Panda owners are not going to see anything more challenging than a damp field, you might be better off with the Panda Trekking. It has the same rugged styling as the Cross, but is front-wheel-drive only and is £2,000 cheaper.
Price: £16,945 (for the MultiJet model)
Engine: 1,248cc diesel
Top speed: 99mph
Fuel consumption: 60.1mpg
Carbon dioxide: 125g/km
