Fiat Panda

The Fiat Panda is an under-appreciated gem that’s now at risk of being overshadowed by the pricier and less well packaged 500. We love its simplicity, compact dimensions and four-wheel drive option.

• Comfort

  Fairly firmly sprung this one, and in sporty ‘100HP' spec it's stiff enough to loosen a few fillings. As a budget car though, it's nicely kitted out and better finished than most of its rivals.

  

• Performance

  The 1.2-litre 4x4 takes a full 20 seconds to get to 60mph and the 100HP half that. None of these cars is quick, but they more than make up for it with some sprightly handling.

  

• Cool

  The Panda is super cool. If you own one of these it's a firm middle finger to all the materialistic bollocks of new car ownership, be you man woman or child. Although be you child you're sort of breaking the law buying a car.

  

• Quality

  The Panda seems surprisingly well screwed together for a budget Italian motor, and it uses better looking and far more solid plastics in the cabin than the likes of the Toyota Aygo.

  

• Handling

  The Panda is a laugh to drive. Steering is fast, light and accurate and the chassis well enough sorted to really let you bung it about in the grand tradition of the small Italian hatch.

  

• Practicality

  One of the few compact city cars with proper rear space, including rear doors, the Panda is definitely more practical than most. It also sits quite high at the waistline, making carting kids in and out much easier on the lower back.

  

• Running costs

  The entry-level Panda is in insurance group 1. Go up a group for the 1.3-litre diesel and you get 65.7mpg. However you choose to call it, this is one of the cheapest cars to buy and run on sale today.