Need a compact city car but also need off-road ability? Well, the Fiat SUV-styled city car is exactly what you need. It goes by the name of the Fiat Panda 0.9 TwinAir 4x4 Cross.
From the outside the Panda Cross is clearly distinguishable from the regular Panda by its chunkier reshaped bumpers with plastic skid plates, fog lights surrounded by black plastic mouldings, 161mm ground clearance. Despite its small size and cheeky looks, the Panda Cross is a model like no other.
That's because the Fiat Panda Cross has some serious off-road ability. Behind that tough-looking protective cladding sits four-wheel drive and a range of electronic systems – all aimed at increasing grip off-road. New to the Cross is a system Fiat calls Terrain Control. Beneath the gear lever is a twisty knob that lets you pick from three different drive modes - Auto, Off-Road and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
Powering the Panda is a rather willing 2-cylinder turbocharged 875cc motor that produces 66kw and 145nm. It’s paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox, but sadly, the ratios are a little too long. All of this translates to a leisurely 0-100kph stroll of just over 15 seconds, while fuel economy sits in the mid 7s.
The Fiat Panda 0.9 TwinAir 4x4 Cross is priced at R249 900 and comes with a 3 year/100 000km service plan as standard. It goes up against cars like Renault Duster 4WD and Suzuki Jimny.
Also worth a look: the Fiat Reveals Five Futuristic Concepts for Future Range and the Fiat Strada: A Fresh Perspective on Sub-Saharan Compact Pick.
FAQ
Q: What does the Fiat Panda Cross cost in South Africa?
The Fiat Panda 0.9 TwinAir 4x4 Cross is priced at R249,900 and comes with a 3-year/100,000km service plan included in the price.
Q: Is the Fiat Panda Cross worth buying?
The Panda Cross is worth buying if you need a compact city car with genuine 4x4 capability for under R250,000, but it's not ideal if you prioritise speed since it takes over 15 seconds to reach 100kph.
Q: How much power does the Fiat Panda Cross engine produce?
The Panda Cross uses a 2-cylinder turbocharged 875cc engine that produces 66kW and 145Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual gearbox.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Fiat Panda Cross?
The Panda Cross competes directly with the Renault Duster 4WD and Suzuki Jimny in the affordable 4x4 segment of the South African market.
Q: What makes the Fiat Panda Cross different from a regular Panda?
The Panda Cross features four-wheel drive, Terrain Control with three drive modes, 161mm ground clearance, chunkier bumpers with skid plates, and protective plastic cladding that regular Pandas don't have.
Should You Buy It?
The best genuine 4x4 city car under R250,000 in South Africa is the Fiat Panda Cross at R249,900. You should buy it if you live somewhere that actually needs 4x4 capability but still want something small enough to park in cramped city spaces. The Terrain Control system with Auto, Off-Road and Hill Descent modes gives you proper off-road tech that most competitors in this price range simply don't offer. However, don't expect any thrills from the 66kW engine, it's more tortoise than hare with that 15-second sprint to 100kph. If you can live with leisurely acceleration and fuel consumption in the mid-7s, the Panda Cross delivers unique capability that makes it worth the asking price for the right buyer.
