FIAT Panda 100HP Review - Is The Abarth 595's Budget Cousin The Better Car? 

I used to own a panda hp, drove it over to Turin, then down to the south of France and back home again. Covered 2,300 miles and it didn't miss a beat. Driving a panda hp through Italy was a really special experience. I think it's a wonderful little car.

Change gear after 5000? No way. Fill it with 99 or 100 octane. And the knock sensor will allow you to pull all the way to 7.000. It starts to pull at 4500 and flies after 5500. (Both of mine are like that) They are Italian horses. You need to whip them to get going. P.S. To the owner of this car. Your car looks good!

Great review, cracking little cars and I love mine! Here is an interesting fact, the Panda 100HP has a closer relationship with the Abarth 500 than you think. When Abarth was being re-launched by Fiat as a stand alone brand, the Abarth Panda 100HP was to be the first car in the line up, however at the last minute the plans were changed and the Panda 100HP was launched and badged as a Fiat instead. At the last minute it was deemed not powerful enough, and too close of a car to the forthcoming Abarth 500. So instead of the Abarth Panda 100HP, we got the Abarth Punto as the first car in the new Abarth line-up. It does cause a lot of debate in the Panda 100 community, but some people badge their 100 HP's as Abarths. Another fun fact, if you go to a Fiat dealer for parts, the 100HP is still listed internally on the Fiat parts system as the Abarth Panda 100HP. Thats how close it got. The Fiat Panda 100HP is the Abarth that never was...

Fiat fun fact: the Punto 6 speed was one of the first mainstream cars to get a 6 speed gearbox way back in 1995!

James, I had one back in 2016, and I loved it. I've had a long list of cars, but this and my Accord Type R are the two that I always remember with a smile; should have kept both! The country roads in Rutland meant that I bounced around quite a bit but it was great fun and surprisingly good on long journeys. Its early bluetooth worked well and I could fit my two (much smaller then...) sons in for the school run. Enjoyed the "club" feel of flashing other 100hp owners - we could recognise each other half a mile away.

Just sold my 100hp a few months back and seriously regret it. Cracking little car

I still remember seeing on of the these on the nordschleife back in 06/07. Great little car , nice stance. It was being driven hard which was a joy to see. As I overtook it to give it the thumbs , there was a tall fella with a great rasta and dark shades, grinning from ear to ear! A great moment at the ring. Always held s soft spot for this car afterwards

I didn't realise you could pick one of these up so cheap. They seem to be brilliant little runaround with some fun.

I had one of these as a young 22 year old. It was a great car. Reliable, unassuming and great fun! Used to get stick from my friends but they kept their mouths closed when it came to a nice B road

I had one of these as my first car 7 years ago! Loved it to bits and my friends loved the soundtrack, as did I. Eventually decided to get rid of it as the ride was just too much for rubbish Scottish roads, a decision I definitely came to regret although I wasn't as into cars back then as I am now. Having since owned an NB MX-5, 3.0 Z4 and MK8 ST the panda still stands out in memory, definitely a good buy!

One of my favourite Fiat. It's an honest thing, it's practical, very peppy, and enjoyable.

I have a 100hp (we’ll it’s the wife’s) and I have a 595, I always love driving the 100hp. It’s not as fun as the the Abarth in my opinion but it’s still a riot. Handling with Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres is amazing. Took it over the Brecon Beacons and it was glorious. Also reliable in the 4 years we have had it. The turning circle is embarrassing as the Punto 6 speed box limits the steering rack. Nice sound too, much deeper than you would expect.

My son just bought one as his first car after first looking at several tatty over-priced Fiestas. More fun to drive than just about anything else this cheap to insure. The driving position is very short-legged and long-armed and at 6'1" I find it a bit awkward, but you get used to it. The engine is punchy and revvy with a very linear response. The handling is superb and, as Jay says, forgiving. It's an old school hot hatch that will put a smile on your face at modest speeds.

Love a panda! Had a relative who owned an original 80’s 4x4, it was epic in the snow!

I was after one of these but my Fiance kept saying no. This is a proper cult classic!! Some people just don't get cars.

Having just bought one a few weeks ago to so I could keep my accord type r in the garage to prevent it from rusting to death and keeping my ed30 off the road until summer I was waiting for Mr Emm to slate the panda but I was pleasantly surprised! Everything he's said is accurate, it's a great little car. I was after a 595 for a while but there was never any close by so I never pulled the trigger. Luckily found my 100hp for about a third of the price you'd pay for an equivalent year/mileage abarth an hour away from me so that's always a bonus 😁

Fiat did the Up! GTi long before VW decided to do it. Great review. 👍 Edit: pandemonium pack 😂😂😂😂. Best name ever

The Panda 100hp is/was FIAT at its best . I had one for years, the addition of a Ragazon exhaust was the icing on the cake. The 2 words that struck a chord in the review, were FUN and UNPRETENTIOUS. Excellent review by the way, almost, just almost, makes up for your trashing of the Abarth 🤔. Oh, I do agree that current pricing of the Abarth 595 is ludicrous. The list price of the most expensive variant Is similar to a GR Yaris.

I’ve got one of these, bought it in Sept 2020, spent 3 months replacing all the Chav bits on it and got it to a nice driving car. Sold it in March 21 then bought it back off the same person 1 year later. With a Fruity exhaust and a decent intake system they make a good sound, just very hit and miss if you get a good one or not. Before me I’m fairly sure mine was more then abused as it almost breaks on the weekly. As it sits currently there’s no gearbox as it’s broken for the 4th time, and will most likely need a whole new box for the sum of £650. Still love the thing to bits despite it being a little bastard.

Tips for anyone tall (over 6ft) who wants one of these. If you can find one with a height adjustable drivers seat, it helps a lot. And on all Pandas and 500s the footrest by the clutch is too small if you shoe is over a size 9. Easily fixed, top part of footrest is just plastic and can be removed with a sharp knife and then up to size 12 will fit!

I've been waiting for you to review one of these for so long. I bought one a few years ago when I'd just bought my first house, had no money, and needed a station hack that could still put a smile on my face and do the estate car thing when needed. On the standard dampers, its back end gets quite skippy and that nearly sent me off on a road I knew very well, so I also fitted Koni rear dampers, and replaced the budget tyres with Goodyear Eagle F1s. After that, it was totally docile and a real hoot. I later paired it with a Jaguar XK 5.0 and yet the Panda still offered something that made me want to grab its keys. Now replaced by a Suzuki Swift Sport, which is a better car in many ways, but has none of the charm of the little Fiat.

I've owned my panda 100hp for 7 years, was my first car and I still have it alongside my rs3 8p and ep3 type r, it's a fun little car mines been reliable, only downside that i can say is road tax is abit steep for a 1.4

I had a similar car, the SEAT Arosa 1.4 16v Sport. It is the same as the Lupo, with 100hp. It was my beater for a year and a half, then I sold it, amazingly at the same price I bought it, €2000. I recently saw it again, his new owner swap the engine for a 1.8 golf. You can still find some Arosas sport 100hp for less than 2000€ here on Spain.

Daniel Drives has entered the chat

I was only looking at these last week as I know they are a fun car to own and drive and I think you have summed it up - not everybody likes it, but those who do, just smile. Great review.

Bought one of these new when they first came out in 2006. Kept it for 8 years & loved it. Definitely one that falls into the ‘cars I should have kept’ category.

Nice. I've been browsing these lately. The simple honest fun recipe appeals.

Love how the HP rating is part of its name😎

Yeah! The 500 was always too ’cute’ Panda 100HP rocks, and so much fun to drive. A modern 205GTI 1.6 (Amazingly, I disagree with 99% of Your design verdicts but hey thats how it is!)

I recently sold mine, which was my first car. Excellent all round, although living in London and mainly covering motorway miles I rarely got it use it to it's potential. I miss it, although I don't think my passengers will - an oddly terrifying experience from anywhere but the drivers seat.

That 1.4 engine was very responsive to ECU tuning and we were able to get almost 10% more power and 15% more torque down low. Incredible for an NA engine.

I recently bought an Alfa Romeo Mito 1.4 turbo 2009 for 3500 euro . It's a good looking little car with a 6 speed box and 155 BHP which is plenty for me at 70 years old . I also run it on ethanol which is not only 1/3 of the price of regular petrol , but emissions free , even if I run it in sport mode . I'm impressed , overall .

The Bird in Hand does lovely roasts. A lot of Lotus people stay there it's about 2 miles away. I've always loved this Panda. I had a 127 back in the day which was brilliant and my later Punto was a bit of a disappointment. James May described this 100hp model panda as his favourite car.

I absolutely love Fiats. I have the 8v version of that engine in my Grande Punto: only 77bhp, but my god, it's a revvy little thing! I used to own a mk2 Punto 1.2 8v, old and simple those engines may be, but keep them looked after, and they're absolutely brilliant!! 😃

One of these was for sale near me for a very reasonable price recently. Unfortunately couldn't get it this time but some day i will, I've always wanted one

our 2004 panda was, and still is my familys favorite car. what an amazing workhorse for commuting. comfortable, roomy, reliable, it could park everywhere, and it could do u-turns almost around itself. it even hauled 4 of us guys on an 8-day bachelor vacation, with all our luggage on a greek island with bumpy roads and never said no to anything we ever asked from it. brilliant car

I think it looks great.Good stance,great proportions,interesting graphics.Clean and honest.Upright seating allows you to drive fast and safe.Great space utilization.Wish there were more cars like it.

Hugely underrated and although OK on the open road is best around town. What you didn't mention is that it is easy to work on for the home mechanic. The Panda is ideal for a young person wanting a car that they can learn how to service and maintain themselves.

A guy down the road from me had one and he poverty spec'ed it-standard plastic bumpers, steelies, etc. I loved it. Proper wolf in sheep's clothing.

I'm quite surprised you don't like the exterior look of it Jay. Personally, I think it looks brilliant!

I have had one for 10 years. I bought it for 4000 and its still worth 4000.... its passed every m.o.t since 2012 (with little maintaining) I'll never sell it.... its the coolest little car I have ever had. And I'll never ever sell it. Its wonderful.

James May would be proud. Bring on the Dacia Sandero

I thought about 100hp and even took a ride and it was a real fun, but decided to pick Swift Sport '08. For sure they both are good propositions for young petrolheads, for swift the pros are better interior and exterior design, better suspension and higher revy engine but 100hp has 6-speed gearbox and second pair of doors. What is funny is the fact that 100hp were produced here in Poland but there are not a lot for sale. Personaly I like the fact that classic Panda is a typical car for retirement, but 100hp is a sleeper.

Was waiting for this review for a while, especially seeing your views on the 595! I think one of if not the best thing about the 100hp (admittedly not something you would find out from just driving it) is the community of owners, always helpful and willing to share knowledge. I've seen toxicity in other car owner groups which you would never see in Panda/100hp groups.

Have driven my Fiat Panda for over 2 years, must say one of the best little cars I've ever had and not much chance of me selling it anytime soon.

I'm a big fan of the original Panda 4X4. I'm guessing good ones are few and far between now. Still see them in ski resorts as they're pretty much unbeatable in the snow.

The neighbours have matching his n hers of these. Tbf one is the 4x4 I think. Always looked quite fun as they bop down the road

Thanks J, these little cars do seem a good value & fun!

Ah that engine bay looks familiar. I spent many an hour banging my head against the wall trying to fix my '05 Punto Sporting. Same FIRE engine, but a paltry 94hp. Even was a 6 speed. I hated that car and all the problems it caused me, yet I still miss it.

Awesome little car. Nice video. Keep up the good work.

I've owned a few quick Fiat's over the years was torn between one of these or an Alfa Mito 155 tb bought the Alfa because I've never had one before. Still like to try one of these.

I'm 6ft3 had the panoramic roof but still had loads of room

I pondered one of these for a bit but for various reasons ended up elsewhere. Always fancied a go in one of these though, so great to see it on the channel!

I had one as my second car at 17, very capable car loved it. Only had to get rid because I changed to doing motorway mileage which it was not a fan of. Very stiff ride, lots of road noise and a teeny petrol tank meant I was filling up every 2/3 days. But on a B road it was so much fun , gripped very well with toyo proxes on too

I have a love hate relationship with the Abarth 500s as in love for 15 minutes and then hate thereafter. The 100hp is a great car, any Panda is superior to the 500.

I've had one since august 2020. Came with a leaking head gasket but it wasn't too bad to replace. I've just ordered the 284mm Abarth front brake calipers, which will still fit under the standard 15 inch wheels. T-Jet swap is coming hopefully in a year when I have the time. But economical, it is not! 7-7.4 L/100 km. But actually, I do love the way it looks. It's the sleekest way one can design a box on wheels.

I recognise that area as i drive out on that road that takes you out to old Buckingham. I would say you were Bunwell area 👍🏿

A really fun car yes, but more practical than people realise. Put those back seats down and it is a large box space inside. I remember selling a large fridge to a friend at work. It fitted in my Panda no problem. In the office carpark, we tried to transfer it to his Peugeot 206. It didn't go in. He then tried to get it into a mates late fiesta, then a clio and a polo. It didn't get into any of them. It required his dads Focus Estate to complete the fridges journey.

I have been looking at one of these for the past 2-3 months as my daily run around. Mad fun bit of kit, previously had an Abarth 695 Biposto but was too crashy for the Mrs. Need to get into one for a test drive!

It’s proof you don’t need eleventy-bajillion horsepower to have huge amounts of fun behind the wheel. As James May once said in his review of the 3rd-generation Fiat Panda from Series 18 of Top Gear, “it’s not actually about how much power you have, it’s about how much power you can use.”

I remember when they came out every motoring journalist waxed lyrical about them, I'm trying to find one at a reasonable price and it's proving quite hard. Folks know what they're worth

I owned one from 2010 till to 2017. I fitted her with B8s and stiffer coils *lower also*. Yokohama SDrive and she was a joy to use. Fitted her with Tarox slotted discs and tarox pads, I could outbrake near anything on street. She was truly an amusement.

I bought this small lump of love last year. A 2009 blue stunner. It had completely burst suspension and i fitted Bilstein on Powerflex. Car is a blast. You can feel like Niki Lauda without breaking the law. It drinks a lot (even oil) but it still is no Jag. Low insurance and TCO. Parks everywhere. You can load a fridge in it. Four doors. Doesn't try to cosplay a 60s car. Best car for mountain passes ever (if you don't go into turbo altitudes). I just love it

Great video! I bought one of these as a first car last year, and it's been a joy to use. Personally, I really enjoy the sport mode, as the tightened steering gives me a little more confidence in placing the car. However, the sport mode may be the reason I tend to average 36 mpg on my commutes, aside from the fact that flooring it is just so much fun!

My 595 turismo replaced a 100 HP. The Panda absolutely needed the 6 closely spaced gears to compensate for lack of torque. I wouldn't complain if the 595 had a 6th gear but it actually doesn't need it that badly. Loved the 100 HP for what it is but the 595 is at least as much more car as it is more money.

Great laugh these had one for a while. Only reason i got rid is that the ride is unliveable- stiffened suspension causes it to bounce like you would not believe. Sometimes to a dangerous extent if pressing on.

Got a normal one running in the family. I like that car. It's cheap but honest and rediculously practical. Not the most robust car in the world. Stuff brakes, but it's usualy cheap and easy to fix, so that's OK in my book. A abarth or so - expensive and based on the same technology - is a different story.

Love FIAT Pandas. Had a basic one a few years ago. Very reliable and cheap to run. The 100HP was and is a great car

I’ve had 2 of these little rockets. I temper driving to Goodwood, 4 up and drifting :)

The Panda was a great car. Not only the 100 hp with the famous set up suspensions

Owned a one these but in the 4x4 version very good car and reliable indeed.

I'd love you to get a mk1 yaris d4d on the channel. A torquey little motor that will do 60+ mpg. Cracking little daily that are getting rarer now, especially the d4d.

I had one of these a few years back. Wonderful thing. Used to be able to drive 10/10ths everywhere. Sold it when the second child turned up as couldn't get them both in the back. The ride quality was abysmal too. Great car tho.

For years, each time I see an Abarth 500 being hooned about, I say to myself "Nice Panda!"

Picking one up Saturday that has had a little work done and does 0 to 60 in 6 seconds....should be fun

I’d say if you dropped that 15/20mm added some spacers / wider wheels it would be very lupo esqe in its looks maybe a great budget alternative to the lupo gti. I personally prefer the panda to the 595 and strangely I’ve always liked a panda 🤣 reminds me of my dads Fiat uno turbo he had back in the day ( absolutely love to see one of those on here jay!)

Liked the review, fun & facts as usual.

I’m pretty sure Michael Schumacher had one of these as well as (much more well known) an example of the original Fiat 500.

Purchased mine new for £8000 on a 09 plate from Perry's, still like yesterday. Only got rid because I got a company car, when that went I purchased the car I drive now- a 595 Turismo thinking it would be the modern version. Nothing like it, doesn't handle as well, stop as well, just isn't as fun. God I miss that little car..

Love the idea of these, they were on the list when I was looking for a hot hatch - found an R53 Cooper S in the end, but I think I'd have enjoyed a Panda too!

The missus used to have the 500 1.4 sport which is essentially the same car as the 100hp, we absolutely loved canning it around twisty roads. The panda is some much more practical though

Fun fact: 100% of the cars without the Pandamonium pack were ordered by people who have no mates.

I hate to admit i quite like these. 🤫 If they we're like 130-150hp i would have probably had one.

I adore mine! I think they look great personally. 👌

Here in Argentina the 1.4 fire is the motor of choice for many models of Fiat. Now they launched a modern version 1.3 99 hp. The 1.4 is cheap, efficient, and you can use it on gnc (natural compresed gas). It can last 400.000 to 500.000 km if you are careful with the maintence.

Great, interesting video. Good to see that you are trying a real car, that ordinary people can aspire to. A car that is even better is a normal Ford Puma, mine is 20 years old, owned from new, nothing has gone wrong, and I cannot think of a faster car in its price bracket to tackle winding B roads. It revs beautifully and has 123bhp with a 1-tonne weight. Can you do a Puma video?

I had exactly that car as tested on an 08 plate ex-demo with only a few miles on, in blue, Pandamonium pack, satin chrome wheels. A real marmite car, best small Fiat (my 15th at the time) and still is given the price of used ones now. I say a marmite car as on a good day you love it and on a bad day you hate it 50/50 love/hate/love/hate. However… I’d always hankered after an Abarth 595 Turismo or Comp and recently got the chance to have one, found I 100% hated it, sold it after 1 month. The automotive embodiment of ‘the king’s new clothes’… it’s not an Abarth it’s a Fiat 500 in high heels and a mini skirt, and the 500 is a Panda in a dress. The Panda is great fun but has many faults, if you are buying one do your homework and buy with caution. My other gripe is the £200+ road tax which is extortionate on a car worth £3k. Try one and see if you still believe the hype.

It’s not even comparable! The Abarth is iconic and super fun! Great video 👌

I have a 31,000 mile Seicento Sporting with 53.6bhp. A friend has this engine and box tuned to 180bhp? That is how strong Fiat engines are. I bought it for one winter, because I have an Alfasud Ti, but it is such a hoot to drive I've had it for years now. It does 42-43mpg round town, so I did an experiment. How low could I get it. 39.83mpg! The Fiat FIRE engine range is one of the best ever.

Nice review. I love my 2007 Panda. Quite frankly, I'd rather have it than a more powerful car. I grew up on the old Mini and this captures the essence of driving like my old Mini Mayfair.

Love these videos james, keep them coming!

I had one a few years ago. 40mpg is a generous estimation. I never got above 32. Superb cars though.

I think it looks so good!!! It’s like a 1/1 scale RC car

Got to say, Panda is a fun car, although i have one with 60hp and no aircon, so... Mine is very lovely on summer. Should probably cut the roof out :D But yeah, you can park it enywhere where is just a little space. And turn too, that preatty amazing, doing an U-turn with Panda after driving something sized like a 5-Series.

The Panda 100 is really cool in many ways. Would have one now

Small cars are great. This is why I love my SEAT Mii FR-Line. It's only got 74 bhp and 3 cylinders, but feels quick on a twisty B road, and is so much fun.

Wonderful vehicle, bought this for my kids, every now and then I give it a good thrashing too. It just makes you happy when thrashing it.

What i find odd is they make a van version, the fiorino, of which they make an mpv... Anyway, i do really like these kind of cars. Cheap, fun and you might be able to handbrake slide it into a parking spot.

I really enjoyed this one. How about a collab with Evil GT, so you can level up the North and their subscriber count? Perhaps meet halfway, like in Dudley or West Bromwich, and crack jokes about it not being a city, just 200,000 people with a speech impediment?

Had one, great car, perfect city sports Hatch.... but not in a city full of pot holes and speed humps.