Fiat Panda Cross named budget 4x4 of the year
Fiat has had its excellence rewarded again, with the Panda Cross being given the budget 4x4 of the year accolade by an industry publication.
The 4x4 Magazine put the all-terrain small car at the top, beating off a list of competitors, including entries from Suzuki and Lada.
"Panda Cross is easily distinguishable, thanks to its distinctive body mouldings, two-tone paintwork, fat wheel arches and large 15-inch alloys. Besides the funkier looks, standard kit includes air conditioning, a plusher interior as well as the greater economy of a 1.3-litre diesel engine," said Hils Everitt, editor of 4x4 Magazine.
He went on to explain that the full-time 4x4 system, which shifts torque to the wheels with the most grip, will be enough all-terrain capability most owners ever need.
The Fiat Panda Cross also has a number of safety features, with ABS brakes and EBD technology, which distributes the stopping power across all four wheels and is especially useful in testing road conditions.