If you’ve ever driven through the winding, gravity-defying hills of Italy, you already know the unwritten rule of the Italian countryside: everyone has a Panda.
When we first started scouting properties across Italy, we rented our fair share of modern cars. We are on a budget, so we mostly go for compact rentals – and honestly, nothing compares to a Panda. While those other cars often felt like they were gasping for air the moment we tackled a modest incline, the Panda just grips the road and goes.
In places like Germany, Belgium, or Holland, driving one might carry a certain “budget” stigma.
But in Italy? It’s a completely different story. Here, the Panda is a cult classic, a symbol of rural efficiency, and a badge of honor. Everyone from the local nonno heading to the piazza for an espresso to trendy city slickers drives one.
So: if you are planning a trip to Le Marche, don’t be ashamed to rent a Panda.
The Ultimate Mountain Goat for the Hills
Our favorite Fiat Panda is the mild-hybrid version (benzina/electric). It has become our ultimate companion for navigating the to our property neigbouring dust roads.
Its mild-hybrid engine gives you a subtle but much-needed torque injection right when you are restarting on a steep incline and it handles the rugged terrain like a pro.
The unpaved, white gravel roads (strade bianche) of Le Marche are breathtakingly beautiful, but they require a bit of respect. We’ve had to turn around a few times ourselves on some truly wild, overgrown tracks where the ruts got too deep.
To keep your rental car’s undercarriage intact on these hills, remember to keep a steady, slow momentum when going uphill so your tires don’t spin out on the loose stones, and always straddle the center ridge of the road if the tire tracks on either side are washed out from the rain.
We love the Panda so much that we’ve officially added it to our wishlist. An old, classic Panda – scratches, dents, and all. The Panda gets you where you need to go without any fuss.