Fiat Panda
Running costs champ
You don’t have to buy a car with a premium badge to enjoy the hassle-free high life – just take the Fiat Panda. It topped the running costs category in our Driver Power survey this year.
Nothing is likely to annoy owners more than a raft of hefty maintenance bills, but the little Fiat promises to keep costs to a minimum.
The Panda 4x4 is an Auto Express favourite, as is the hot 100HP version, although the most cost-effective choice is the 1.2-litre petrol model. Drivers covering higher mileages should consider the brilliant 1.3-litre Multijet diesel.