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BMW i3 vs Fiat Grande Panda
Selected trim120Ah · 2018-22193 mi · 42.2 kWh · £35,180
Selected trimPopChange trim199 mi · 44 kWh · £20,995
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on family practicality and city driving, while the Fiat Grande Panda leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Fiat Grande Panda if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Fiat Grande Panda leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueFiat
BMW
3.4
Fiat
4.9
Motorway RangeFiat
BMW
2.8
Fiat
4.1
FamilyBMW
BMW
4.9
Fiat
2.1
ChargingFiat
BMW
2
Fiat
3.2
Cost Per MileFiat
BMW
5.4
Fiat
7.8
City DrivingBMW
BMW
8.7
Fiat
8.1
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Fiat Grande Panda
Pop
- £14,185 cheaper
- 101 litres more boot space
- 50 kW faster rapid charging
- 15 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,180 | £20,995 (better) |
| Official range | 193 miles | 199 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L | 361 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 42 min | 27 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 11 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Fiat Grande Panda
Length
BMW i34,006mm
Fiat Grande Panda3,990mm-16mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
Fiat Grande Panda1,761mm-14mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Fiat Grande Panda1,579mm-19mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 3,990 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,761 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,579 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 639 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 361 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 120Ah |  Fiat Grande Panda Pop |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 3.99m-16mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.76m-14mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | Not available |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.58m-19mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.55m-21mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 361L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,320kg (better) | 1,521kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh | 44kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi | 199 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 100kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,180 | £20,995 (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2018–2022 | 2025+ |
* Fiat Grande Panda: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles | 199 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 129 miles | 166 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 42 min | 27 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 100 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7 kW |
| Energy consumption | 152 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.9 kWh | 44 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 11 sec |
| Power | 125 kW (better) | 84 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm (better) | 125 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
BMW i3
120Ah
Fiat Grande Panda
Pop
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 120Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Fiat Grande Panda Pop
Fiat Grande Panda Pop
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Fiat Grande PandaPop |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Fiat Grande Panda
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3
- £29,9952021EVHEROView
- £12,4992019Cars2View
- £11,1952018Drive GreenView
Fiat Grande Panda
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £14,185 over the Fiat Grande Panda?
The BMW i3 costs £14,185 more than the Fiat Grande Panda. For that premium it adds 41 kW more power and a 3.7s quicker 0-62mph time. The Fiat Grande Panda is not just cheaper - it also offers 50 kW faster peak rapid charging, 101 litres more boot space and 1 more seat (5 versus 4). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Fiat Grande Panda comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Fiat Grande Panda?
The Fiat Grande Panda is £14,185 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Fiat Grande Panda comes out roughly £14,265 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and Fiat Grande Panda like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 129 miles for the BMW i3 and 166 miles for the Fiat Grande Panda - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Fiat Grande Panda goes roughly 37 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 42 minutes in the BMW i3 and 27 in the Fiat Grande Panda, so the Fiat Grande Panda loses less time at each stop. That makes the Fiat Grande Panda the stronger long-distance car.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Fiat Grande Panda?
The two are within 14 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 639 mm of total clearance for the Fiat Grande Panda and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3. The BMW i3 also turns in a 1.0 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Fiat Grande Panda?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 88% battery health for the BMW i3 and 90% for the Fiat Grande Panda. That gives the Fiat Grande Panda a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Fiat Grande Panda's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i3 comparisons
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and Fiat Grande Panda rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and Fiat Grande Panda rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and Fiat Grande Panda rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Fiat Grande Panda rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Fiat Grande Panda rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Fiat Grande Panda rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .