2022 Fiat Panda Cross 4x4 vs Suzuki Ignis Allgrip
Discussion
I am after a small 4x4 daily for skiing / hillwalking trips in Scotland, and to keep my Renaultsport Megane garaged in the winter and retained for personal use only. These 2 are the choices I've narrowed down to as with options they are a similar price after discounts, with similar size, power and ability.
I test drove a pre-facelift 2018 Ignis Allgrip and owned a 2013 Panda 4x4 Twinair for a whole 12 days! Based on this my assessment of the 2 cars are:
Panda Pros
Better to drive / character / cult following / track record
Looks better / nicer colour
Twinair torque / noise
Great residuals
Better designed for off road
Heated windscreen and seats
Handles well (for what it is), decent steering
Easier to clean on outside / less paintwork to worry about
Better visibility inside
Dual mass flywheel design has been strengthened since 2018 model
No bad road noise, better motorway cruiser
Panda Cons
Older design / replaced next year?
Less space than Ignis in boot and rear
Mediocre economy (MPG can drop to 37 mpg or lower vs 50 mpg worst case for Ignis) / higher emissions
Possibly less reliable long term
Softer plastics / interior easier to mark / damage
4 speaker stereo with no aux / CD player and no current option to upgrade
Less kit
Engine more strict on servicing to ensure reliability
Cost cut interior compared with older Pandas
Driver footwell / rest less space so less comfortable on long journeys
Ignis Pros
Cheaper to run (save £350/year on 9.5k miles) / lower emissions
More space in rear and boot with flexible rear seat design
Slightly more modern design + hybrid
High equipment list - reverse camera, emergency braking, lane departure, keyless, cruise control
Greater reliability
Stereo is easier to upgrade + 6 speakers
Comfier seats
Handles ok with little body roll
Attract less attention from thieves
Ignis Cons
Expensive options
Gutless engine / need to change down gear
Hardwearing but very thin and cheap interior plastics
Body less durable for off road / no engine undertray
No heated windscreen or seats
Crap stereo
Road noise can be bad
Less character
Brakes mediocre
Unusual tyre size so less choice
The main deal breakers on the Panda for me are the poorer economy / potential savings with the Ignis, and having no aux input for the stereo to use a portable CD (I don't do streaming nor do I intend to). If only I could merge them both and take the best bits. Heart says Panda as it puts a smile on your face unlike the Suzuki, but head says Suzuki as it should save me money in the longer term - wasn't that the initial point? But life is too short...
Anyone owned either long term or even both want to share their kind thoughts?
Note: I'm no longer considering second hand examples of either, nor slightly larger rivals (e.g. Duster, Yeti etc.)
I test drove a pre-facelift 2018 Ignis Allgrip and owned a 2013 Panda 4x4 Twinair for a whole 12 days! Based on this my assessment of the 2 cars are:
Panda Pros
Better to drive / character / cult following / track record
Looks better / nicer colour
Twinair torque / noise
Great residuals
Better designed for off road
Heated windscreen and seats
Handles well (for what it is), decent steering
Easier to clean on outside / less paintwork to worry about
Better visibility inside
Dual mass flywheel design has been strengthened since 2018 model
No bad road noise, better motorway cruiser
Panda Cons
Older design / replaced next year?
Less space than Ignis in boot and rear
Mediocre economy (MPG can drop to 37 mpg or lower vs 50 mpg worst case for Ignis) / higher emissions
Possibly less reliable long term
Softer plastics / interior easier to mark / damage
4 speaker stereo with no aux / CD player and no current option to upgrade
Less kit
Engine more strict on servicing to ensure reliability
Cost cut interior compared with older Pandas
Driver footwell / rest less space so less comfortable on long journeys
Ignis Pros
Cheaper to run (save £350/year on 9.5k miles) / lower emissions
More space in rear and boot with flexible rear seat design
Slightly more modern design + hybrid
High equipment list - reverse camera, emergency braking, lane departure, keyless, cruise control
Greater reliability
Stereo is easier to upgrade + 6 speakers
Comfier seats
Handles ok with little body roll
Attract less attention from thieves
Ignis Cons
Expensive options
Gutless engine / need to change down gear
Hardwearing but very thin and cheap interior plastics
Body less durable for off road / no engine undertray
No heated windscreen or seats
Crap stereo
Road noise can be bad
Less character
Brakes mediocre
Unusual tyre size so less choice
The main deal breakers on the Panda for me are the poorer economy / potential savings with the Ignis, and having no aux input for the stereo to use a portable CD (I don't do streaming nor do I intend to). If only I could merge them both and take the best bits. Heart says Panda as it puts a smile on your face unlike the Suzuki, but head says Suzuki as it should save me money in the longer term - wasn't that the initial point? But life is too short...
Anyone owned either long term or even both want to share their kind thoughts?
Note: I'm no longer considering second hand examples of either, nor slightly larger rivals (e.g. Duster, Yeti etc.)
deeen said:
Fiat, because it's already a modern icon, and the Suzuki never will be.
Curious about why you ruled out the Dacia, as on the face of it, it's better value than either?
That is certainly another point in favour of the Panda. Regarding the Dacia, I will never buy a Renault product new again after the hassle I've had with my 275 Trophy (failed engine, warranty issues not sorted over 2 years later, dismal customer service Curious about why you ruled out the Dacia, as on the face of it, it's better value than either?
)Mouse1903 said:
deeen said:
Fiat, because it's already a modern icon, and the Suzuki never will be.
Curious about why you ruled out the Dacia, as on the face of it, it's better value than either?
That is certainly another point in favour of the Panda. Regarding the Dacia, I will never buy a Renault product new again after the hassle I've had with my 275 Trophy (failed engine, warranty issues not sorted over 2 years later, dismal customer service Curious about why you ruled out the Dacia, as on the face of it, it's better value than either?
)Panda every time.
I’ve got a 2020 cross 4x4 and it’s brilliant. I will be ordering one of the last to be built before the replacement as a keeper.
I regularly drive an ignis owned by a relative. It’s an auto which is dire but aside from that the car is characterless, feels cheaper than the panda and I’d say feels less solid than the panda. Yes it has some extra equipment e.g. reverse camera but nothing essential and nothing that makes a big difference. Very little difference in interior space but the panda seats are much better.
Absolutely no contest for me.
Re economy I get 47-49 on a mix of dual carriageway and B roads with a bit of town driving all done quickly. Have seen 55 driven slowly. It’s still loosening up so will improve after about 6k apparently. I’ve done 4k in 8mo this mainly in the last couple of months when it’s been my main car having sold a mini jcw. The panda is so good I don’t really miss it.
If you test the panda you MUST press the economy switch in front of the gearstick. Changes the car immeasurably and makes no difference to the real economy. Feels a different and much slower car otherwise.
I’ve got a 2020 cross 4x4 and it’s brilliant. I will be ordering one of the last to be built before the replacement as a keeper.
I regularly drive an ignis owned by a relative. It’s an auto which is dire but aside from that the car is characterless, feels cheaper than the panda and I’d say feels less solid than the panda. Yes it has some extra equipment e.g. reverse camera but nothing essential and nothing that makes a big difference. Very little difference in interior space but the panda seats are much better.
Absolutely no contest for me.
Re economy I get 47-49 on a mix of dual carriageway and B roads with a bit of town driving all done quickly. Have seen 55 driven slowly. It’s still loosening up so will improve after about 6k apparently. I’ve done 4k in 8mo this mainly in the last couple of months when it’s been my main car having sold a mini jcw. The panda is so good I don’t really miss it.
If you test the panda you MUST press the economy switch in front of the gearstick. Changes the car immeasurably and makes no difference to the real economy. Feels a different and much slower car otherwise.
Edited by undred orse on Wednesday 12th January 22:05
Got it on the privilege scheme. See if any family or friends qualify as there’s about 1800 off.
Get the winter pack -well worth the money.
You’ve done the right thing. The panda is leagues ahead of the ignis. Forgot to mention that the panda is a much nicer safer feeling place to be on motorways
The engine also sounds great. It’s a real character and fun to drive.
What colour ?
A colleague bought one last year on my recommendation and is really happy with it. His is the metallic green. Mines white and the new one will be.
I expect delivery in 4-6 months. Same as the last one.
Get the winter pack -well worth the money.
You’ve done the right thing. The panda is leagues ahead of the ignis. Forgot to mention that the panda is a much nicer safer feeling place to be on motorways
The engine also sounds great. It’s a real character and fun to drive.
What colour ?
A colleague bought one last year on my recommendation and is really happy with it. His is the metallic green. Mines white and the new one will be.
I expect delivery in 4-6 months. Same as the last one.
I would have went for the orange! But cement / minimal grey for me as it's the closest to a primer grey which I love.
I was offered a white one at a good price but I'm content paying more money for the grey. Blue light discount has got me down to 2 deals, both delivered to my door or local Fiat dealer so hopefully I'll be making a decision on it very soon!
It is a bit of a cult car and puts a smile on your face like my old Abarth 500 Esseesse did
I was offered a white one at a good price but I'm content paying more money for the grey. Blue light discount has got me down to 2 deals, both delivered to my door or local Fiat dealer so hopefully I'll be making a decision on it very soon!
It is a bit of a cult car and puts a smile on your face like my old Abarth 500 Esseesse did
Besides it’s infectious character and sheer vim, i love how easily it fits in with your life. It’s so versatile, capable in the country but also makes a great London car. Easy to park, narrow so fears no width restrictions (a nightmare in most cars if you live in west London), zippy off the line and doesn’t make a statement (it’s classless a bit like a Golf or Mini). It’s even perfectly capable on the motorway keeping up with traffic in the 3rd lane and stable in crosswinds. For me it’s a car I couldn’t be without.
Edited by seawise on Sunday 16th January 14:42
Do like Pandas although haven't driven the latest shape.
Are they really low on road noise? I would have thought this segment of cars wouldn't have much sound insulation. Although probably more so than the Aygo in the household.
OP. Did you order the winter pack (heated seats and windscreen)?
Nice "green" post posted above.
Are they really low on road noise? I would have thought this segment of cars wouldn't have much sound insulation. Although probably more so than the Aygo in the household.
OP. Did you order the winter pack (heated seats and windscreen)?
Nice "green" post posted above.
They are pretty quiet on a motorway at about 70-75. Much quieter and smoother than the ignis I often drive.
Good enough that I was quite ok with a 250 mile journey in it, although I didn’t have to do it in the end.
Radio is surprisingly good as well.
( I know I sound like a real fanboy but I think they really are a great car)
Good enough that I was quite ok with a 250 mile journey in it, although I didn’t have to do it in the end.
Radio is surprisingly good as well.
( I know I sound like a real fanboy but I think they really are a great car)
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