Fiat Panda

The sign of a great car is strength in depth. Just when we thought Fiat had forgotten how to make small models, along came the Panda and knocked us all for six. And the baby Fiat has been more than just a flash in the pan. Our Car of the Year three years ago, the Panda has once again proved itself the best bet for motoring in the city.

Although the design is conventional by the standards or the Smart ForTwo and Mitsubishi i, the Panda is anything but conservative. The striking looks cleverly disguise the taller-than-average frame, and while the square headlamps and upright tailgate may sound like a recipe for blandness, the Panda still manages to stand out from the crowd.

It’s equally special inside, where its high-mounted gearstick and lofty driving position provide the perfect environment for tackling urban gridlock. But perhaps the Panda’s greatest quality is its sense of fun. Even the entry-level 1.2-litre versions deliver an entertaining drive, while the recently added 100HP is one of the best baby GTis we’ve ever driven.

It’s also extremely easy to get on with, as its light steering and straightforward controls make even the most complicated reverse park manoeuvre seem simple.