Stellantis and Fiat are fulfilling their commitment to affordable electric vehicles (EVs) with the launch of the new Fiat Grande Panda in Europe. This compact EV, celebrating Fiat’s 125th anniversary, revives an iconic name with a fresh twist, and it will be priced below €25,000 or $27,260 at the current exchange rate, as reported by Reuters. While the Grande Panda will likely not be available in the U.S.—even as it represents Fiat’s re-entry into the global market—it could pave the way for Stellantis to introduce a Jeep EV to the American market for under $25,000.
Skepticism surrounds Stellantis’ assertion that it can launch a new car in the U.S. for under $25,000—especially an EV. The Grande Panda utilizes the new Smart Car Platform, which it currently shares with the Citroën ë-C3. However, this EV-focused platform is projected to support five additional models from Stellantis, totaling seven. Any of these could potentially be adapted into a Jeep EV that competes on price with so-called budget models from Tesla and other EV competitors in the U.S.
In the past, Fiat vehicles have worn the Jeep badge, as seen with the Jeep Renegade, which was essentially a Fiat 500X in disguise. However, the Renegade has been discontinued in the U.S., leaving a gap in the Jeep crossover lineup that could be filled by a new EV. Moreover, the Fiat Panda 4×4, a popular model, has historical ties to Jeep, known for its off-road capabilities. If Jeep seeks to avoid launching an all-electric version of the Wrangler to maintain the brand’s image, it could benefit from this heritage.
The Grande Panda represents the first in a series of Fiat models “being studied for global markets, including North America,” according to Stellantis. The Panda will be available as either an electric or hybrid vehicle in Europe, with the hybrid version starting at under €19,000 (approximately $20,700, per Reuters). The Grande Panda EV will come equipped with an 83-kilowatt motor powered by a 44-kilowatt-hour battery, offering an estimated range of over 320 kilometers (about 199 miles) based on European WLTP standards. However, expect slightly lower range estimates from the U.S. EPA. Regardless, a Jeep EV priced under $25,000, featuring the appealing design of the Grande Panda, could be a welcome addition to the U.S. market, providing strong competition to the upcoming Chevy Bolt revival.
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