Panda 4x4 Cross - I have serious issues.

[TheFungle]

For the past year or so I've had a mild obsession with the Panda 4x4. I've test driven it and loved the character of the TwinAir engine but I couldn't justify the cost of it.

Fiat have recently released the Cross variant and I'm back to obsessing again, I really think I need help!



As much as I love my performance cars I also love cars that are absolutely fit for the purpose they were designed for, the Cross I believe fulfils that criteria.

Help!

[poing]

No issues there, great things that always admire when I see one. A service manager at a local Fiat dealership was talking about one and saying how rubbish it was, when pressed it was because it was too slow and small. I suggested he was missing the point completely.

These things seem to hold their value like no other Fiat!

[skip_1]

As per you, if I could justify the cost i'd have one. Seems to get favourable write ups everywhere too.

[Gruber]

Everytime I go somewhere European and mountainous, I come home wanting one of these. There would definitely be space for one in my perfect 10 car garage.

[Wacky Racer]

poing said:

No issues there, great things that always admire when I see one. A service manager at a local Fiat dealership was talking about one and saying how rubbish it was, when pressed it was because it was too slow and small. I suggested he was missing the point completely.

These things seem to hold their value like no other Fiat!

That's not saying much.

(And I like Fiats btw.)

[iva cosworth]

Well,surprisingly,not,every other Italian household has a Panda of some sort for cheap and reliable

motoring and many have the 4x4 for getting around in adverse conditions.

[sawman]

I was at a fiat dealer last week (our jeep was in for a manufacturer recall) and they had one of these in the showroom. It looks fab. I think we might have finally found a replacement for the cherokee - but the wife is keen to wait until we see what the jeep renegade and 500X are like before committing though

[McWigglebum4th]

Can't really see a huge justification of it in the UK

the bottom of the range one is pretty competent on winter tyres in mild off road conditions

and by mild i mean worse then 75% of Audi Q7s will ever see

[Lowtimer]

If you're an M25-ista then no point. If you live in the Dales or the North Yorkshire Moors then lots of point.

[Bill]

TheFungle said:

As much as I love my performance cars I also love cars that are absolutely fit for the purpose they were designed for, the Cross I believe fulfils that criteria.

Help!

You describe the standard 4x4 imo, this is a (ace looking) styling exercise.

[Mr Taxpayer]

I have on 08 Panda diesel that's racked up 95k trouble-free miles. I put winter tyres on in the winter and found that in the snow of rural Herefordshire in 2010 there was no need for 4wd. Winter tyres are going backon next weekend. As a former off-road driving instructor, the only advantage of the Panda cross is the ground clearance from the raised ride height.

BTW I had it remapped to 95bhp! Mwah hah!

[daydotz]

That one does look smart

[Dr G]

Pandas are great little cars and the 4x4 is a great example of form following function.

Cars that look like they're bloody good at what they do usually end up looking good (think Land Rover Defender).

[Lowtimer]

The previous model 4x4 is the one that makes me smile. It is like a little scale model of a Land Rover.
I agree with the earlier poster who said that a standard Panda on proper snow tyres is a very capable vehicle for normal road use in the snow, helped by its light weight and narrow tyres, and the ordinary Panda is also quicker and more economical on the same engine due to the lighter weight. But for those who live in wilder and hillier areas with less road gritting and steep inclines, the 4x4 has a justified following. In deep snow the extra ground clearance is a help, as well as the 4wd.

[Timbo_S2]

My parents have a red panda cross, its a great little thing. It replaced a Suzuki Ignis 4x4 as their second car.

My dad needs a little 4x4 to get to the field, and both have never had any trouble. I imagine he'll keep the panda for a while yet, though he mentions that the salesman is keen for him to trade it - I guess he has a potential buyer lined up!

[Squadrone Rosso]

I love "performance" cars but also small FIATs. We had an original pre-FIRE 1986 4x4 & it was great.

Currently loving our 500 Twinair plus but the Panda Cross with the Twinair engine has seriously turned my head.

I've been promised a brilliant deal, essentially little or no deposit with the same monthly PCP payments as on the 500.

If this works out, there'll be a white one with the winter & comfort packs on our drive soon

[Squadrone Rosso]

I ordered one on Friday

Rad with the winter & comfort packs, rear privacy glass and reversing sensors.

Delivery by February.

[TheFungle]

Squadrone Rosso said:

I ordered one on Friday

Rad with the winter & comfort packs, rear privacy glass and reversing sensors.

Delivery by February.

Very jealous

I was so close to ordering one but financial sense won in the end.

Doesn't stop the pining for one though!

[rovermorris999]

Is it proper full-time 4x4 or some sort of electronic when needed system?

[Tannedbaldhead]

Functional and very fit for purpose. Question is would OP actually make any let alone full use of the FIAT's talents. If yes then buy one. If all your driving is road based then the Cross is a waste of time. Standard Panda is quicker, more refined at speed, handles better and is more economical.