Compact dimensions and a tall roof make the styling a fusion of city car and MPV, and the high seating position emphasises the people-mover feel. The 204-litre boot beats both C2 (166 litres) and Lupo (130 litres), but the rear seat is cramped, and even with the optional split/folding and sliding rear bench (£200 extra) the Panda is not as versatile as the pricier Renault Modus.
The interior might not be the most versatile, but the quality and design are excellent, with solid plastics and stylish cabin architecture. The centre console is ergonomically excellent: the snappy dash-mounted gearlever is perfectly placed and so is the high-mounted stereo.
The Multijet is available only in mid-spec Dynamic trim, which includes a CD player and electric windows for £7895; air-con is a £500 option. All Pandas have standard front airbags with optional side (£120) and window (£200) bags, but the three-star Euro NCAP crash test rating lags behind the four-star C2’s and Lupo’s.
Nearly 40 per cent of new cars sold in the UK last year were diesels, so the Panda’s ‘cheapest diesel in Britain’ tag is a big draw. Average fuel consumption of 51.5mpg, group two insurance and a low CO2 output of 114g/km (which means £85 road tax and lower company car tax) make it one of the UK’s least expensive cars to run, too.