Overall rating:

Although not quite as good as the petrol-engined TwinAir model, the Panda MultiJet still makes a convincing case for itself if you specifically want a diesel supermini. It's good to drive, with a real big car feel; the baby Fiat is as happy on the motorway as it is in the centre of a city.

Key Facts

Model tested: Fiat Panda 1.3 MultiJet
Pricing: From £8,500 (estimated)
Engine: 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door hatchback
Rivals: Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, SEAT Mii
CO₂ emissions: 104g/km
Combined economy: 72.4mpg
Top speed: 104mph
0-62mph: 12.8 seconds
Power: 74bhp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 140lb.ft at 1,500rpm

In the Metal:

Saying a new car is simply 'more rounded' than the last would normally be a bad thing. Not so with the new Panda though - Fiat is embracing it with a new design direction inspired by what it's calling "the squircle". Think square with rounded corners and you've got it. Silly term aside, the new Panda's a logical progression from the previous, managing to look both modern and fresh.

There are more squares (with chamfered corners) inside as well - in fact they're everywhere, influencing the shape of the steering wheel, instruments, buttons and even the handbrake. You'll also find them embossed on the seat, parcel shelf and even the headlining. Being so square does have its advantages though, and the Panda's cabin is one of the most spacious in the segment.

Driving it:

For a supermini, the 1.3-litre diesel unit is relatively muted, both at idle and under load. Yes there's some vibration through the wheel and pedals, but less than what's found and generally expected in this class. When it does get vocal, it makes a decent noise as well, sounding throaty rather than intrusive at the top end.

A fraction more weight over the front axle means it's not quite as nimble as the lightweight TwinAir model, but for all intents and purposes both cars handle exactly the same. That means there's little body roll, accurate if light steering and decent grip from the front tyres.

It also shares the same ride quality as its petrol counterpart, which only struggles at higher speeds. As discovered on our mountainous test route the brakes are sharp and offer decent feel, with no signs of fade.

The driving position is a little upright, but the high mounted gear lever makes a welcome return. In fact, the only criticism is with the massive blind spot created by the base of the A-pillar and door mirror mounting - the latter being unreasonably and needlessly large.

What you get for your Money:

There's a variety of option packs available for the Panda, including a Climate Control Pack, Sound Pack and Safety Pack. Most interesting is the 4 Seat Flex Pack though, which means the front passenger seat folds to a table, there's a 50/50 split rear seat that slides fore and aft and extra storage in the boot.

The diesel will likely command a premium, although UK prices have yet to be released by the firm. All models (except the 1.2 petrol) come with stop-start as standard, and Low Speed Collision Mitigation is available as an option - braking the car from low speeds if it detects a collision is imminent.

Worth Noting

The new Fiat Panda only received four stars in the latest round of Euro NCAP tests, which could be seen as disappointing, especially when the VW up! managed a full complement of five. However, the reason for this poor showing was a lack of ESP on the tested car - and now all Pandas will be available with the system, making it even safer.

Summary

There's no knocking Fiat's latest city car; the Panda is the real deal - but unless you must have a diesel it's the TwinAir petrol model that you should go for. Nevertheless, the MultiJet is more fuel efficient, and those gains are likely to be larger in the real world as well. It does everything its petrol brother does just as well.