- Joined
- Mar 20, 2015
- Messages
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After my 2nd hand woes I'm looking at a new Panda Cross with minimal grey + winter pack. I thought if I'm buying new then I seriously have to consider the Suzuki Ignis Allgrip being it's closest rival in terms of ability, size and price. I test drove a pre-facelift 2018 Ignis Allgrip and based on this my assessment of the 2 cars are:
Panda Pros
Obviously being a Fiat forum it will tend towards the Panda, certainly that's what my heart says, but head is taking me to the Suzuki. Anyone gone from one to the other or owned an Ignis Allgrip?
The main deal breakers on the Panda for me are the poorer economy / potential savings with the Ignis, and having no aux input for the stereo to use a portable CD (I don't do streaming nor do I intend to). If only I could merge them both and take the best bits. I need to remember the main purpose of this car is to use as a daily and for skiing / hillwalking trips in Scotland, and to keep my Renaultsport Megane garaged in the winter and retained for personal use only.
Panda Pros
- Better to drive / character / cult following / track record
- Looks better / nicer colour
- Twinair torque / noise
- Great residuals
- Better designed for off road
- Heated windscreen and seats
- Handles well (for what it is), decent steering
- Easier to clean on outside / less paintwork to worry about
- Better visibility inside
- Dual mass flywheel design has been strengthened since 2018 model
- No bad road noise, better motorway cruiser
- Older design / replaced next year?
- Less space than Ignis in boot and rear
- Mediocre economy (MPG can drop to 37 mpg or lower vs 50 mpg worst case for Ignis) / higher emissions
- Possibly less reliable long term
- Softer plastics / interior easier to mark / damage
- 4 speaker stereo with no aux / CD player and no current option to upgrade
- Less kit
- Engine more strict on servicing to ensure reliability
- Cost cut interior compared with older Pandas
- Driver footwell / rest less space so less comfortable on long journeys
- Cheaper to run (save £350/year on 9.5k miles) / lower emissions
- More space in rear and boot with flexible rear seat design
- Slightly more modern design + hybrid
- High equipment list - reverse camera, emergency braking, lane departure, keyless, cruise control
- Greater reliability
- Stereo is easier to upgrade + 6 speakers
- Comfier seats
- Handles ok with little body roll
- Attract less attention from thieves
- Expensive options
- Gutless engine / need to change down gear
- Hardwearing but very thin and cheap interior plastics
- Body less durable for off road / no engine undertray
- No heated windscreen or seats
- Crap stereo
- Road noise can be bad
- Less character
- Brakes mediocre
- Unusual tyre size so less choice
Obviously being a Fiat forum it will tend towards the Panda, certainly that's what my heart says, but head is taking me to the Suzuki. Anyone gone from one to the other or owned an Ignis Allgrip?
The main deal breakers on the Panda for me are the poorer economy / potential savings with the Ignis, and having no aux input for the stereo to use a portable CD (I don't do streaming nor do I intend to). If only I could merge them both and take the best bits. I need to remember the main purpose of this car is to use as a daily and for skiing / hillwalking trips in Scotland, and to keep my Renaultsport Megane garaged in the winter and retained for personal use only.