2003 FIAT Panda 1.4 6MT FWD (101 HP)

Vehicle Overview

After 22 years on the market and 4.5 million units sold, the first generation of the Panda was pulled out from the production lines and made room for its successor, the 2003 Panda.

The first Panda generation was nothing more than a box on wheels. It was cheap to buy, easy to run, and reliable. But in 2003, it was way too old and outdated. Fiat worked together with Ford and developed a new platform, which was used for the 500, the Ka’s second generation, and the Panda.

Looking tall but still with flat side panels, the second generation of the Panda featured squared headlights and a narrow, two-slat grille between them. Depending on the trim option, Fiat installed a pair of fog lights on the bumper’s sides and a wide grille between them. From its sides, the designers made an unusual window line, with a sloped-down area on the rear doors and a smaller, third glass, between the C- and D-pillars. The vertical drop in the back for the tailgate was a form-follow-function measure.

Inside, Fiat installed high-mounted seats with a rounded dashboard design. The carmaker installed the gear-stick on the center stack, while the instrument panel looked very similar to the one on the Fiat Punto, but with a different cluster above it. The carmaker promised and delivered room for four adults. The rear bench was too cramped for three adults but adequate for three kids.

Under the hood, Fiat offered a choice of four engines paired exclusively with a five-speed manual.