FIAT Grande Panda Qualifies For Car Of The Year 2026 Finalist

JAKARTA FIAT proudly announced that its new model, Grande Panda, has been selected as one of the seven finalists for the prestigious Car of the Year (COTY) 2026 award. This achievement places the new FIAT global vehicle among the models deemed most worthy of a continental title by an independent jury.

With the launch of the Grande Panda, it will compete directly with Renault 4, Kia EV4, Mercedes CLA, Dacia Bigster, Citroen C5 Aircross, to Skolda Elroq. Most of the finalists are the mass market instead of premium and five of them have crossover or SUV-style bodies.

Quoted on the Stellantis page, Monday, November 3, it was stated that the selection process was tight, starting with 35 early competitors. As many as 60 jury members from 23 European countries participated in the evaluation phase, including extensive trials, known as 'Tannisest,' which was held in Denmark last September. This finalist's official announcement marks the movement of competition towards the final voting stage.

Grande Panda is positioned as the foundation of the new global family of FIAT vehicles. The model is developed as a concrete, pragmatic, and affordable solution inclusively for markets around the world. The essence of Grande Panda is the embodiment of FIAT's main values, namely functionality, sustainability, and emotional design, packed in compact dimensions and distinctive personalities.

In design, the model took inspiration from the original Panda mobility spirit of the 1980s, highlighting the proportion of boldness and strong lines. Its distinctive features include pixel-style LED headlights, cube-shaped rear lights, and 3D "PANDA" writing clearly displayed on the door. Meanwhile, its interior focuses on human-centered designs, offering the best shoulder space in its class, flexible storage options, and intuitive technology for daily needs.

In fulfilling FIAT's mission to offer consumers freedom of choice, Grande Panda was launched with a complete powertrain lineup "available in gasoline, hybrid and electric versions. This allows the vehicle to meet the various needs of B segment customers in various markets. As a global car, Grande Panda also takes advantage of production synergies; after being launched in Serbia, production will begin in Algeria in December 2025, followed by South America in 2026.

The entry of Grande Panda into the final round of Car of the Year 2026 is celebrated by FIAT as recognition of the brand's sustainable innovation. This result is proof of FIAT's commitment to creating cars that are consistently trying to make life better for everyone, united by a clear and strong design philosophy across its variants.