If you are interested in buying a small city car, you are truly spoiled for choice. These types of cars weren’t really the most popular cars on the market, but thanks to modern-day price inflations, rising fuel costs, and shortage issues, cars such as these seem like a safe bet. This is because these tend to be cheap in more ways than one if they do break, it usually isn’t expensive to fix them.
Both Fiat and Hyundai have a long-lasting tradition when it comes to making compact city cars. The Hyundai i10 was released back in 2007 and has since spawned three different generations. The latest model of the i10 came out for the 2019/2020 model year and is available in a few different versions and engine choices.
The Fiat Panda has been around for a better part of 40 years, and in that time, Fiat only replaced the Panda four times. Both of these are selling really well all across the world, but they aren’t as similar as one would think at first glance.
In this article, we are going to put these two small cars in a head-to-head matchup and tell you why one is better than the other. So, Hyundai i10 vs Fiat Panda – Which is better?
Hyundai i10
The Hyundai i10 is one of the cheapest cars in this segment which is partially why it is as successful as it is. For starters, the latest i10 only comes with gasoline engines. A smaller 1.0L 3-cylinder engine that offers 67hp or 100hp, or a larger 1.2L 3-cylinder engine that offers 87hp respectively. All i10 models come with a FWD setup, a manual gearbox comes as standard while an automatic is an option.
Design-wise, the latest i10 looks much more authentic than the previous generations which is certainly a good thing because the i10 was never known for its looks. The interior is nicely laid out with everything you’d expect from a car in this segment. The driving experience isn’t particularly dynamic or comfortable which means that it is fitting for its class.
Reliability is where the i10 makes the best impressions as it is one of, if not the most reliable subcompact hatchback out there. Value is also a certain benefit of the i10 because these tend to retain value better than most cars in this segment. Practicality is on par with the rest, but the i10 does offer more seating space than most comparable cars.
Fiat Panda
The Fiat Panda costs almost the same as the i10 which means that some Fiat Panda models are cheaper, and more are more expensive, it all depends on the engine, the equipment, and the trim. The Fiat Panda engine lineup is even simpler than the i10 as the Panda comes with either a hybrid 1.0L 3-cylinder with 70hp or a 0.9L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine with 85hp.
Most Fiat Panda models are FWD while some can even be had with an AWD system. A manual gearbox is standard while automatic Dualogic Fiat transmissions are optional. Design-wise, the Fiat Panda is never going to win any awards, but it also isn’t going to offend anyone because it tends to blend into its background.
The driving experience is different when compared to most cars in this segment as the Panda also manages to be a decent off-roader. Reliability is not all that good which means that the i10 destroys the Panda in this segment of the test.
The values of these are good, but they do tend to depreciate quite a bit. Practicality is really good with the Panda as there is enough space for even adults. Either way, this is not why the Fiat Panda exists which means that you shouldn’t buy it if you tend to often transport people.
Verdict – The Hyundai i10 is better
The Hyundai i10 is the better car here because it offers a more coherent and well-rounded experience when compared to the Panda which offers a lot in certain areas, yet loses big time in others. Engine-wise, the i10 is better as it is more powerful, more efficient, and even more sophisticated. Design-wise, the Panda looks weird to most people while the i10 looks forgettable, so there are no winners here.
The interior is a different story because the i10 looks modern and well-appointed while the Panda falls short. The Fiat Panda has a smaller trunk capacity, but loading it is easier than in the i10 thanks to its squarer shape and wider opening. Rear seat space is comparable, the i10 offers more legroom while the Panda offers more headroom.
Price-wise, they are more or less identical, but reliability-wise, the i10 is much better. All in all, the i10 simply has more things going for it while the Panda is better for those who want a more adventurous car with AWD.
FAQ Section
Is the Hyundai i10 more efficient than the Fiat Panda?
With the Fiat Panda, you can expect to get around 40-45MPG at best which is certainly an adequate result for any car, but the i10 can return up to 50-55MPG which is a better result overall. Real-world testing has shown that the i10 can come close to around 50MPG while the Fiat Panda manages to top out at around 41MPG at best. Either way, the i10 is a more efficient car in almost every environment.
Is the Hyundai i10 safer than the Fiat Panda?
The Fiat Panda is not the safest car on the market which is rather obvious if you take a look at which grades it got with EuroNCAP. The Fiat Panda is fairly bad when it comes to child occupant safety and safety assistance systems, especially when compared to almost all 2022 cars.
The i10 on the other hand is much better than the Fiat Panda, no matter the trim or the equipment package.
Is the Hyundai i10 more comfortable than the Fiat Panda?
Yes, the Hyundai i10 is a more comfortable car than the Fiat Panda. Many people criticize Fiat because they never really brought the Panda to the 21st century. All never Fiat Panda models are more or less the same cars which is why Fiat isn’t even able to alter the driving experience too much.
