We review the Fiat Panda Trekking TwinAir from price to economy and all its features

IT’S apparently mating season again for the Pandas in Edinburgh — but it’s Fiat’s cheap baby SUV that will really woo motorists.

While Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati roll out the road erotica, the high prices are a big turn off. But Fiat, who own Ferrari, Alfa and Maserati, has cars across the full spectrum of size, shape and cost.

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Off-roader ... Fiat Panda Trekking

But my favourite remains the Panda, and Fiat’s rivals are spitting out their dummies with huge sales across Europe as prices start at just £8,945.

The Trekking is just below the proper Panda 4x4 and aims to offer the same macho looks and moderate off-road ability without the extra cost and weight of four-wheel-drive.

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That means it gets the same 47mm raised ride height and grippy mud and snow tyres as the Panda 4x4, but costs £1,500 less although it is still a £4k hike on the basic price to £12,450.

Buyers will be shocked at how much ability it still has in the rough stuff

But buyers will be shocked at how much ability it still has in the rough stuff.

Fiat has given this a special suspension tweak so this Panda glides across bumps and potholes, with a special Traction+ feature to help it find grip in slippery conditions.

Perhaps its biggest leap in quality is on-road, though. The previous model was too unrefined on Tarmac, which was a big let-down considering that was where it spent most of its time. It handles decently enough as long as you don’t want to drive it like a Ferrari.

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Bundle of fun ... Fiat Panda Trekking

This TwinAir model is a real Eco king. As the Trekking is 75kg lighter than the Panda 4x4, it emits only 105g/km of CO2 and should be easier on fuel — although Fiat’s 61.4mpg claim would take some achieving, I got around 50mpg. The 84bhp 0.9litre TwinAir is a perky drive.

Turn the key and the TwinAir engine bursts into life, sounding more like a scooter than a car.

The steering is perfectly weighted and the six-speed manual gearbox — with the shift on the dash — is fun to use.

Fiat have sold 6.5million Pandas since it debuted in 1980. This latest model is another winner and I love this car.

The Panda baby boom continues. Let’s hope those black-eyed pair in Edinburgh zoo get the hint.