Fiat largely owes its existence to city cars such as the 500 and the Panda. This is why Stellantis has given the green light to new generations of both models, which are already under development in both hybrid and EV forms.

The third-generation Fiat Panda was introduced in 2012 but is expected to soldier on until the end of the decade. The Fiat Grande Panda wasn’t designed as a Panda replacement, as it’s marketed as a supermini (B-Segment) rather than being a city car (A-Segment). This role will be fulfilled by the fourth-gen Fiat Panda which is scheduled to debut in 2030.

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Speaking to Autocar, Fiat CEO Olivier Francois, gave a few hints about the design of the city car and its relation to the slightly bigger Grande Panda:

“I expect the design of the Panda replacement to be a bit closer to the original Panda of the ’80s. When you see the Grande Panda and the Panda next to each other, you will see mama bear and baby bear. It will be really cute. It won’t just be a smaller version of the Grande Panda but it will have visual links, the same roots and the iconic silhouette”.

The new Panda will ride on the STLA City underpinnings – a Fiat-derived platform that is different from the Smart Car and the STLA Small architectures. The same chassis underpins the Fiat 500e, which will be joined by the mild-hybrid 500 Ibrida later in 2025. It is also expected to be used in the next-generation 500, which has been officially confirmed to be under development.

Stellantis has pledged the keep production of both the Panda and the 500 in Italy. The Panda will continue being manufactured at the Pomigliano plant, while the 500 will be built in the Mirafiori facilities.

A Growing Lineup

Besides city cars, the Italian automaker wants to expand its lineup to new segments. However, its CEO made it clear that no Fiat product will be longer than 4.5 m (177.2 inches), in a quest to avoid internal competition with other Stellantis brands like the similarly-positioned Citroen.

Last year’s Panda-themed concepts are expected to evolve into production models, set to be launched by 2027. These will include an SUV, positioned in the “lower end of the compact segment”, and a Fastback that will serve as a crossover-style replacement for the Tipo.

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Both of them will ride on the Smart Car architecture which is already being used by the Fiat Grande Panda, the Citroen C3/C3 Aircross, and the Opel Frontera, and is compatible with ICE, hybrid, and EV powertrain options. Finally, a compact pickup will replace the Fiat Strada in South America, most likely riding on the same underpinnings.

Fiat’s current lineup in Europe is limited to the 500, 600, Panda, and Grande Panda, after the company was forced to discontinue the 500X and the Tipo last summer due to safety regulations. Commenting on the axed models, Francois said: “Things were tough but we have come through”.

Fiat has launched the all-new Grande Panda in Italy, with the configurator giving us access to all of the available trims. The entry-level Grande Panda Pop with a sticker price of €18,900 ($19,600) is the most interesting of the bunch, thanks to its utilitarian looks and bare-bones equipment.

The cheapest version of the mild-hybrid Grande Panda rides on 16-inch black steel wheels, and is finished in the no-cost Passione Red. Note that the electric Grande Panda Red has the same color-wheel combination although in that case, the steelies are finished in white.

More: Fiat Grande Panda Will Gain A 4×4 Version

The biggest difference between the Grande Panda Pop and the rest of the lineup is the lack of LED lights, making it look more like the original Panda from the ’80s. Of course, this is not the only model that comes with halogen headlights in its base trim, with many automakers – including Mercedes-Benz – adopting this cost-effective solution in their more basic trims.

Moving inside, the highlight is the large plastic cover that occupies the spot of the infotainment display, right next to the standard 10-inch digital instrument cluster. The bulky plastic serves as a “smartphone station”, thanks to an integrated device holder and a USB-C port, sending strong Dacia vibes.

The spartan equipment includes manual A/C and manual rear windows, but at least Fiat added rear parking sensors to help owners park the 3.99 m (157.1 inches) long supermini in tight spots. As required by law for all new cars sold in the EU, the Grande Panda comes standard with a basic ADAS suite including auto headlights, AEB, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Lane Keeping System.

Buyers who want more can always opt for the mid-spec Grande Panda Icon which costs €20,400 ($21,200) and adds plenty of extra features. Finally, the Grande Panda La Prima which stars in the commercials with the shiny spec will cost you €22,900 ($23,800).

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The prices stand for the mild-hybrid 1.2-liter engine since the fully electric Grande Panda is more expensive. More specifically, the EV starts at €24,900 ($25,900) for the Red trim and tops out at €27,900 ($29,000) for the La Prima. This means that the price gap between the cheapest and the most expensive versions of the model is €9,000 ($9,300).

Another interesting comparison is with the Citroen C3, which is a sister model to the Fiat Grande Panda. The French supermini has an entry list price of €15,240 ($15,800), although this stands for the ICE-only version without hybrid assistance. The fully electric Citroen e-C3 starts at €23,900 ($24,800) which makes it €1,000 ($1,000) cheaper than the equivalent Fiat Grande Panda.

Fiat is committed to continuing the legacy of the Panda 4×4, this time with a rugged version of the new Grande Panda. According to Fiat CEO Olivier Francois, the Grande Panda 4×4 is already in development, though whether it will feature an electric or hybrid powertrain remains undecided.

All three generations of the Fiat Panda were offered in 4×4 versions, enhancing the city car’s off-road capabilities. Fiat aims to bring this same versatility to the all-new Grande Panda, which competes in the supermini segment alongside the related Citroen C3.

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When questioned by Autocar during a recent press event about the potential for a 4×4 model, Francois confirmed the news: “Yes, we are committed to doing something and are studying it,” he said. “We’re trying to find the solution and a way. The question is whether it should be an ICE 4×4 or an EV 4×4. We’re looking at solutions and how and when—but we get the point and would like to do something like it soon.”

Currently, the Fiat Grande Panda is built on the Smart Car platform, which supports front-wheel drive only. This means Fiat engineers will need to modify the platform to accommodate all-wheel drive. One potential solution could be adding an extra electric motor to the rear axle, similar to what’s found in the mild-hybrid Jeep Avenger 4Xe and Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida Q4. However, the ideal solution would be a more traditional 4WD system, much like those in previous Panda 4×4 models.

Should Fiat proceed with an AWD version of the Grande Panda, it will likely feature higher ground clearance and a more robust suspension setup to handle rougher terrain. This would make the 4×4 version stand out from the front-wheel-drive models, with additional rugged design elements to give it a more off-road capable appearance.

The Current Grande Panda Lineup

At this point, Fiat has shown off a couple of versions of the Grande Panda. The most notable are the Grande Panda RED trim, which sits on white 16-inch steel wheels, and the higher-spec Grande Panda La Prima, which features 17-inch wheels, aluminum-style skid plates, and roof rails, all contributing to a crossover-like stance. These features, paired with the boxy shape and plastic cladding, give the Grande Panda a distinctly rugged look.

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The Grande Panda is available in both electric and hybrid options. The EV features a 111-horsepower electric motor paired with a 44 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 320 km (199 miles) on the WLTP cycle. Meanwhile, the hybrid model combines a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine with a small electric motor, providing a combined output of 100 hp (75 kW / 102 PS) and a 48V battery.

Fiat has also confirmed plans to introduce a pure-ICE version of the Panda with a manual gearbox designed for emerging markets. Francois said that this model is expected to arrive in Europe “at some point”, likely serving as a budget alternative to the electrified versions which are the main focus of the Italian brand in the region.

The Fiat Grande Panda starts at a reasonable price, with the entry-level mild-hybrid model available for less than €19,000 ($19,800), while the electric version begins below €25,000 ($26,000). The first deliveries of the Grande Panda are expected in European dealerships in March 2025.

It is safe to assume that the 4×4 version will be more expensive, justifying its position as the flagship trim of the future lineup. The company hasn’t set a target date for the launch of the Fiat Grande Panda 4×4, but the ongoing development suggests it will take a couple of years before we see it on the roads.

More Pandas On The Way

In addition to the Grande Panda, Olivier Francois also provided insight into other, larger Panda-themed concepts currently in development. These concepts will share the same Smart Car platform as the Grande Panda, with two models in the works. One of these is expected to be an SUV variant, likely competing with models such as the Citroen C3 Aircross and Opel Frontera.

According to the CEO, Fiat’s decision to return to the supermini segment with a “utility vehicle” like the Grande Panda, rather than a traditional hatchback like the now-discontinued Punto, was driven by the need for global appeal. The goal was to create a model that could reach beyond Europe. This approach is backed up by Fiat’s sales numbers, with Brazil accounting for nearly half of the 1.2 million registrations projected for 2024.