Which Fiat Panda Version Should You Buy?
The Fiat Panda choice depends on whether you prioritize low fuel consumption, stronger performance, AWD, or lower kerb weight. Across its 3 generations, the catalogue covers Compact Van versions from 1981–2003 and Mini 5-doors generations from 2003–2012 and 2011 onward.
The Fiat Panda choice depends on whether you prioritize low fuel consumption, stronger performance, AWD, or lower kerb weight. Across its 3 generations, the catalogue covers Compact Van versions from 1981–2003 and Mini 5-doors generations from 2003–2012 and 2011 onward. The standout performance choice is the third-generation 0.9 DSG with 85 hp, 145 Nm, 0–100 km/h in 11.2 seconds, and a 177 km/h top speed. The third-generation 0.9 MT with the same 85 hp offers identical measured performance with FWD, while AWD versions trade speed and economy for extra traction and, in some cases, 160 mm ground clearance. For minimum measured combined consumption, the third-generation LPG 0.9 MT records 3.1 l/100 km.
Fiat Panda generations compared
The first generation ran from 1981 to 2003 as a Compact Van. The data lists 18 modifications, with 12 shown here. Its displayed engines range from 750 to 999 cc and from 34 to 48 hp. FWD and AWD are available, while transmissions are 4- or 5-speed Manual units. This generation contains the lightest measured Panda in the catalogue: the 0.9 MT with 40 hp weighs 715 kg, equal to 17.9 kg per horsepower. Its higher-output 0.9 MT has 45 hp and weighs 750 kg, improving that ratio to 16.7 kg per horsepower.
The second generation ran from 2003 to 2012 as a Mini 5-doors and has 8 versions. Engine capacities span 1108–1251 cc, outputs range from 54 to 70 hp, and buyers can choose FWD or AWD. Seven versions use a 5-speed Manual gearbox, while the 1.2 DSG uses a 5-speed Robotic transmission. Measured kerb weights run from 840 to 1095 kg, and ground clearance ranges from 120 to 200 mm.
The third generation began in 2011 as a Mini 5-doors and contains 12 versions. It offers Gasoline, Diesel, and LPG engines, outputs from 65 to 85 hp, FWD or AWD, and Manual or Robotic gearboxes. Compared with the second generation’s highest listed output of 70 hp, the third generation adds 15 hp at its 85 hp peak. Its quickest measured acceleration improves from the second generation’s 13 seconds to 11.2 seconds, a difference of 1.8 seconds.
Fiat Panda engine specs
Repeated version names are distinguished by power, fuel, drive, gearbox, or generation.
| Generation and version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Third, 0.9 MT, 65 hp | 65 hp | 88 Nm | 875 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Third, 0.9 DSG, 85 hp | 85 hp | 145 Nm | 875 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | Turbo | Robotic, 5-speed | FWD |
| Third, 0.9 MT, 80 hp | 80 hp | 140 Nm | 875 cc | LPG | 2, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Third, 1.2 MT, 69 hp LPG | 69 hp | 102 Nm | 1242 cc | LPG | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Third, 1.3 MT, 75 hp FWD | 75 hp | 190 Nm | 1248 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Third, 0.9 MT, 85 hp AWD, 1090 kg | 85 hp | 145 Nm | 875 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | AWD |
| Third, 1.3 MT, 80 hp AWD | 80 hp | 190 Nm | 1248 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| Third, 0.9 MT, 85 hp AWD, 1050 kg | 85 hp | 145 Nm | 875 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 6-speed | AWD |
| Third, 1.3 MT, 75 hp AWD | 75 hp | 190 Nm | 1248 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| Third, 1.2 AT, 69 hp | 69 hp | 102 Nm | 1242 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Robotic, 5-speed | FWD |
| Third, 0.9 MT, 85 hp FWD | 85 hp | 145 Nm | 875 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Third, 1.2 MT, 69 hp Gasoline | 69 hp | 102 Nm | 1242 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second, 1.1 MT | 54 hp | 88 Nm | 1108 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second, 1.3 MT, 70 hp FWD | 70 hp | 145 Nm | 1248 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second, 1.3 MT, 70 hp AWD, 1095 kg | 70 hp | 145 Nm | 1248 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| Second, 1.3 MT, 70 hp AWD, 180 Nm | 70 hp | 180 Nm | 1251 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| Second, 1.2 MT, 60 hp AWD | 60 hp | 102 Nm | 1242 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| Second, 1.2 MT, 60 hp FWD | 60 hp | 102 Nm | 1242 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second, 1.2 DSG | 60 hp | 102 Nm | 1242 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Robotic, 5-speed | FWD |
| Second, 1.2 MT, 69 hp | 69 hp | 102 Nm | 1242 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| First, 0.8 MT, 750 cc, independent front suspension | 34 hp | not measured | 750 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | No | Manual, 4-speed | FWD |
| First, 1.0 MT, 44 hp, performance not measured | 44 hp | 67 Nm | 998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| First, 1.0 MT, 45 hp FWD, performance not measured | 45 hp | not measured | 998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| First, 0.8 MT, 750 cc, 740 kg | 34 hp | not measured | 750 cc | Gasoline | 2, Inline | No | Manual, 4-speed | FWD |
| First, 0.8 MT, 796 cc | 34 hp | not measured | 796 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4-speed | FWD |
| First, 0.9 MT, 40 hp | 40 hp | 66 Nm | 899 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| First, 0.9 MT, 45 hp | 45 hp | 66 Nm | 903 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| First, 1.0 MT, 48 hp AWD | 48 hp | not measured | 950 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| First, 1.0 MT, 44 hp FWD, 750 kg | 44 hp | 67 Nm | 998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
| First, 1.0 MT, 44 hp AWD | 44 hp | 67 Nm | 998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | AWD |
| First, 1.0 MT, 45 hp AWD | 45 hp | not measured | 998 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 4-speed | AWD |
| First, 1.0 MT, 45 hp FWD, 999 cc | 45 hp | 74 Nm | 999 cc | Gasoline | 4, Inline | No | Manual, 5-speed | FWD |
Power per litre separates the third-generation engines clearly. The 85 hp 875 cc units produce about 97.1 hp per litre, while the 80 hp LPG 0.9 MT produces about 91.4 hp per litre. The 69 hp 1242 cc engines deliver about 55.6 hp per litre, and the 75 hp 1248 cc Diesel versions deliver about 60.1 hp per litre. The third-generation 80 hp Diesel reaches about 64.1 hp per litre.
Fiat Panda performance and fuel economy
The third-generation FWD 0.9 DSG and 85 hp 0.9 MT share the best measured figures: 0–100 km/h in 11.2 seconds and 177 km/h. The 65 hp 0.9 MT requires 15.7 seconds and reaches 160 km/h, making the 85 hp versions 4.5 seconds quicker and 17 km/h faster. The LPG 80 hp 0.9 MT records 12.8 seconds and 168 km/h.
Among third-generation AWD choices, the 85 hp 0.9 MT at 1090 kg reaches 100 km/h in 12 seconds and 167 km/h; the 1050 kg version takes 12.1 seconds and reaches 166 km/h. The 80 hp Diesel 1.3 MT takes 14.3 seconds and reaches 160 km/h, while the 75 hp Diesel AWD version takes 14.5 seconds and reaches 159 km/h.
The lowest measured combined consumption belongs to the third-generation LPG 0.9 MT at 3.1 l/100 km, with 4 l/100 km in town and 2.6 l/100 km on the highway. The FWD Diesel 1.3 MT records 3.9 l/100 km combined. The FWD 0.9 DSG records 4.1 l/100 km, while the 85 hp FWD 0.9 MT and 65 hp 0.9 MT each record 4.2 l/100 km. Both listed 85 hp AWD 0.9 MT versions use 4.9 l/100 km combined, 0.7 l/100 km more than the 85 hp FWD Manual.
In the second generation, the 70 hp FWD Diesel 1.3 MT is quickest at 13 seconds and 160 km/h, while also returning the lowest combined figure of 4.3 l/100 km. The 69 hp FWD 1.2 MT follows at 13.4 seconds, 162 km/h, and 4.9 l/100 km. The 60 hp AWD 1.2 MT is slowest at 20 seconds and records 6.6 l/100 km combined. The 1.2 DSG takes 14 seconds, reaches 155 km/h, and records 5.4 l/100 km.
For the first generation, measured acceleration spans 16–28 seconds and measured top speed spans 115–140 km/h among the relevant FWD versions. The 48 hp AWD 1.0 MT reaches 135 km/h, but its acceleration and consumption are not measured. Several other first-generation versions also have performance or economy listed as not measured.
Fiat Panda weight, clearance, tank, and wheel sizes
Third-generation measured kerb weights range from 940 kg for the 69 hp 1.2 MT versions to 1155 kg for the 80 hp AWD Diesel 1.3 MT. The 85 hp FWD 0.9 DSG and 0.9 MT each weigh 975 kg, or about 11.5 kg per horsepower. The 85 hp AWD examples weigh 1050 and 1090 kg, equivalent to about 12.4 and 12.8 kg per horsepower. AWD therefore adds 75 or 115 kg relative to the 975 kg FWD version.
Most third-generation versions have 140 mm clearance, while the 1090 kg 0.9 MT AWD and 1155 kg 1.3 MT AWD have 160 mm. Every third-generation version has a 37-litre tank. Where wheel data is measured, the sizes are 175/65 R14 and 185/55 R15; otherwise wheel size is not measured. Gross weight ranges from 1440 to 1615 kg where measured, while gross weight is not measured for the 1090 kg 0.9 MT AWD, the 1155 kg Diesel AWD, and the 1.2 AT.
Second-generation kerb weight ranges from 840 kg for the 1.1 MT to 1095 kg for the AWD 1.3 MT with 145 Nm. All versions have a 35-litre tank, while wheel sizes are not measured. FWD 1.1 MT and 1.2 versions have 120 mm clearance. The 70 hp Diesel versions commonly have 150 mm, while the 1251 cc AWD 1.3 MT reaches 200 mm, the highest figure in the supplied Panda data.
First-generation measured kerb weight runs from 715 to 750 kg. All displayed versions have 130 mm clearance. Tank capacity, wheel sizes, and gross weight are generally not measured, except gross weight of 1150 kg for the 40 hp 0.9 MT and the 999 cc 1.0 MT.
Which Fiat Panda version to choose
Choose the third-generation 0.9 DSG with 85 hp if measured acceleration and automated shifting matter most. It combines 11.2-second acceleration, 177 km/h, 4.1 l/100 km combined consumption, and a 975 kg kerb weight. The 85 hp FWD 0.9 MT matches its acceleration and top speed but uses 4.2 l/100 km combined, so the measurable economy difference is 0.1 l/100 km.
Choose the third-generation LPG 0.9 MT with 80 hp for the lowest measured consumption. Its 3.1 l/100 km combined figure is 1.1 l/100 km below the 85 hp FWD Manual, while it gives away 5 hp and takes 1.6 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h.
Choose the third-generation 75 hp FWD Diesel 1.3 MT when torque and consumption take priority over peak power. Its 190 Nm exceeds the 85 hp Gasoline engine’s 145 Nm by 45 Nm, and its combined consumption is 3.9 l/100 km. It is, however, 1.6 seconds slower to 100 km/h than the 80 hp LPG version and 1.6 seconds slower again than the 85 hp FWD versions.
For AWD, the third-generation 85 hp 0.9 MT at 1090 kg offers the strongest measured acceleration at 12 seconds and has 160 mm clearance. The 80 hp Diesel 1.3 MT AWD also has 160 mm clearance and supplies 190 Nm, 45 Nm more than the Gasoline AWD, but it weighs 65 kg more and takes 2.3 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h.
Within the second generation, the 69 hp FWD 1.2 MT offers the best measured power-to-weight ratio at about 12.5 kg per horsepower and the highest top speed at 162 km/h. For maximum clearance, the 1251 cc AWD 1.3 MT provides 200 mm and 180 Nm, though its 0–100 km/h time is 18 seconds.
A first-generation buyer choosing strictly from measured figures gets the best power-to-weight result from the 45 hp, 999 cc FWD 1.0 MT: 715 kg divided by 45 hp equals about 15.9 kg per horsepower. It reaches 100 km/h in 16 seconds and 140 km/h. For first-generation AWD, the 48 hp 1.0 MT has the highest output, but acceleration, consumption, kerb weight, and gross weight are not measured.