Citroën C3/Dacia Sandero/Fiat Grande Panda: Cheap cars in comparison
Small cars are becoming increasingly rare, even more so in the segment under 20,000 euros. The appearance of the new Fiat Grande Panda is all the more interesting now. It competes against the Dacia Sandero (the best-selling new car in Europe in 2024) and the Citroën C3 (from the same group), among others.
What are the differences between the trio? And where are there certain similarities? We ask Dacia Sandero, Citroën C3 and Fiat Grande Panda for a first comparison on paper. Note: We show mostly the Sandero Stepway. However, the differences to the normal Sandero are more of a visual nature, except for the ground clearance. In addition, there is no basic gasoline engine in the Stepway, but only a 110 hp unit there.
Gallery: Fiat Grande Panda (2025) vs. Citroen C3 (2025) vs. Dacia Sandero (2025)
Dimensions/Exterior
All three are five-door: We take out the folding rule and see that the Dacia is slightly longer than Citroën and Fiat: 4.09 meters (4.10 meters for the Stepway), almost exactly four meters for the Grande Panda, slightly more for the C3. The Sandero also has these extra centimeters in width and wheelbase, which gives it a little more space in the rear.
Since we had the C3 in the test some time ago, we can say that the space in the back is okay. Even more so when used as a parent taxi. If you need more space, you can go for the longer C3 Aircross at Citroën.
The Grande Panda scores points in terms of trunk volume: With a volume of 361 liters, the trunk of the Fiat Grande Panda Electric is above average in a segment comparison. In the hybrid version, the volume of the trunk grows to an impressive 412 liters, and even 1,366 liters with the rear seat folded down.
In terms of towing capacity, the Sandero comes out on top. Visually, all three models set special accents, and the Grande Panda looks particularly independent with its pixel LED headlights. However, the basic version has large halogen headlights (see picture gallery below).
Citroën C3 | Dacia Sandero | Fiat Grande Panda | |
Length | 4.02 meters | 4.09 meters | 3.99 meters |
Width | 1.76 - 1.81 meters | 1.85 meters | 1.76 meters |
Height | 1.57 meters | 1.50 meters | 1.59 meters |
Wheelbase | 2.54 meters | 2.60 meters | 2.54 meters |
Trunk volume | 310 - 948 litres | 328 - 1,108 litres | 412 - 1,366 litres |
Tare | 1,226 - 1,560 kg | 1,087 - 1,228 kg | 1,315 - 1,550 kg |
Towing capacity | 550 - 600 kg | 980 - 1,100 kg | 600 kg |
Interior
In line with Fiat's new strategy, the interior of the Grande Panda shows numerous colorful details. For example, the frame around the instruments and infotainment system, the center console, the air vents and the ventilation controls as well as the seat covers have yellow decorations. The dominant colour in the interior is the new "Tasmania Blue".
In addition, there is a digital 10-inch instrument cluster and the monitor for the infotainment system, which measures 10.25 inches diagonally like in the Citroën. However, the latter is not included in the basic version, there is only a mobile phone holder. A parallel to C3 and Sandero, whose entry-level versions offer the same solution. On the Dacia, the optional touchscreen is eight inches in size.

Citroën C3 (2025)

Dacia Sandero Stepway (2025)

Fiat Grande Panda (2025)
The displays are striking in the functionally furnished C3: they are projected onto a black strip above the cockpit in the manner of a head-up display. The Sandero is most conservative on the inside with classic round instruments. The only digital thing is the small on-board computer in between.
Manual air conditioning and rear parking beepers are included as standard on every C3 and Grande Panda, and various assistance systems prescribed by the EU are also included in the Dacia. However, it does not have air conditioning in the basic version.
Drives/Motors
Due to the same technical platform, the drives on the C3 and Grande Panda are practically identical. And both are also available as a pure electric version: the 44 kWh battery enables a range of up to 320 kilometres in the combined WLTP cycle. The 83 kW (113 hp) electric motor is good for a top speed of 132 km/h. The new Fiat accelerates from standstill to city speed 50 km/h in 4.2 seconds, and it takes 11 seconds to reach 100 km/h.

Fiat Grande Panda (2025)
An optional highlight of the Grande Panda Electric is the integrated spiral cable with automatic rewinding (only in combination with a single-phase 7 kW onboard charger, 11 kW onboard charger is omitted). The 4.5-metre-long cable is housed in a special storage compartment under the bonnet. The on-board 7 kW charging module (onboard charger), in conjunction with the optional spiral cable, enables charging from 20 to 80 percent in four hours and 20 minutes.
A charger for alternating current with an output of up to 11 kW is standard on board. The charging cycle from 20 to 80 percent takes only two hours and 50 minutes. At appropriately equipped charging stations, the Fiat Grande Panda Electric can also refuel with direct current with up to 100 kW (Mode 2 charging cable). The charging process from 20 percent to 80 percent is completed after just 27 minutes with this power.
Engines | Citroën C3 | Dacia Sandero | Fiat Grande Panda |
Petrol engine | 74 kW/100 hp (Turbo 100), 74 kW/101 hp (Hybrid 100) | 49 kW/67 hp (1.0 naturally aspirated), 67 kW/91 hp (1.0 Turbo), 74 kW/101 hp (1.0 Turbo with LPG), 81 kW/110 hp (Stepway only) | 74 kW/101 hp (hybrid) |
Electric | 83 kW/113 hp | - | 83 kW/113 hp |
The Grande Panda and the C3 are available as hybrids. This has a turbocharged engine under the hood, which produces 74 kW (101 hp) from a displacement of 1.2 liters. It is combined with a mild hybrid system. Its electric motor has an additional output of 21 kW and is powered by a 48-volt Li-ion battery.
The system is integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch transmission (eDCT), which has been specially developed for electric drives and transmits the engine power to the front wheels. With low power requirements – for example on flat roads – and speeds below 30 km/h, electric driving is possible over a distance of up to one kilometre. Top? 160 km/h, 100 km/h is reached in 10 seconds.

Citroën C3 (2025)
However, the Citroën is also available with a "normal" 100 hp turbo without hybrid technology, but with a manual six-speed transmission. The engines on the Dacia are also quite normal: naturally aspirated engines with 67 hp, turbocharged engines with 91 or 101 hp, and even with 110 hp on the Stepway. As a special feature, the Sandero offers a bivalent drive called ECO-G, which can also be operated with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). If you want the Sandero as a pure electric car, you will have to be patient for a few more years. Or reach for the Dacia Spring ...
Prices
The new Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid will be launched in Germany in the Pop, Icon and La Prima variants at prices starting at 18,990 euros. The electric version starts at 24,990 euros. The standard equipment of the "Pop" includes electronic driver assistance systems, manual air conditioning, and the electric parking brake.
Thanks to the NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, the integration of smartphones into the on-board infotainment system is particularly convenient. For example, a touch of the home button on the dashboard is enough to return to the home screen. This means that it is possible to switch seamlessly between different functions or applications while driving without being distracted by the traffic situation.
The "Icon" also comes with the 10.25-inch screen for the infotainment system, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors as well as headlights and taillights in LED technology as standard. Further individualisation is possible with equipment packages.
The C3 and the Sandero start cheaper. But you have to put it into perspective: The basic C3 for 15,240 euros has a manual transmission, the basic Sandero for 12,400 euros only 67 hp and no air conditioning. Incidentally, the electric C3 starts at 23,990 euros, with a version with a range of only 200 km for less than 20,000 euros to be added in the course of 2025.
Prices (in Germany) | Citroën C3 | Dacia Sandero | Fiat Grande Panda |
Petrol engine | Sce 65: from 12,400 euros | ||
Turbo 100: from 15,240 euros | TCe 90: from 13,250 euros | ||
Hybrid 100: from 20,750 euros | TCe 100 ECO-G: from 13,250 euros | Hybrid: from 18,990 euros | |
TCe 110 (Stepway): from 17,900 euros | |||
Electric | from 23.990 Euro | - | from 24.990 Euro |
Adjusted for drive and equipment, it looks like this: 90 turbo hp including CVT automatic transmission and air conditioning cost at least 16,900 euros for the Dacia. The Citroën starts at 20,750 euros with hybrid technology, also because a higher equipment line is required here.