We Had Fun Driving the Euro-Market Fiat Grande PandaCaleb Miller - Car and Driver (Caleb Miller - Car and Driver)Whenever we fly across the big blue pond to Europe, whether for work or pleasure, we admire the things we don't have here in the United States. Quaint cobblestone streets lined with ancient buildings and patisseries brimming with handmade baked desserts are nice, but we're mainly talking about the cars, from dinky city commuters like the Citroën Ami to svelte sports cars like the Alpine A110.So we leapt at the opportunity to sample some of Stellantis's European lineup at a recent event on our home turf. While the Ami and A110 were not present, we were still able to get behind the wheel of six vehicles from four different brands. Our experience with each was brief, consisting of a short loop on a closed track that included a series of esses at city speeds before launching onto a long straight where we reached highway pace. We wish we had more time in each car, but it was an insightful look into what people are driving in the Old World.Fiat Grande PandaCaleb Miller - Car and Driver (Caleb Miller - Car and Driver)Our favorite by far was the Fiat Grande Panda. Just look at it! Its retro-tinged design oozes charm, from the "PANDA" lettering stamped into the side of the doors to the squared-off pixel lighting elements and the boxy and upright silhouette. The fun continues inside, with a mix of bright yellow trim and a storage container on the dashboard that's lined with a textile made from 33 percent real bamboo fibers that opens up to reveal a shockingly deep cubby. And there are plenty of cute easter eggs too, from a small plastic model of the original Panda next to the screen to a slogan emblazoned on the seats reading "Panda Made With Love In Fiat."AdvertisementAdvertisementThe example we drove had hybrid assistance, although Fiat also sells it with pure-gas and fully electric powertrains. A turbocharged 1.2-liter inline-three pairs with a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and an electrified dual-clutch transmission. While the system produces just 110 horsepower, the Grande Panda felt zippy at city speeds, squirting between corners on electric power. Commitment was required to surpass 70 mph, but we were pleasantly surprised by the compliant ride and relatively flat cornering, as long as you don't push too hard. We're not sure the Grande Panda would be a hit in most of the U.S., but we could see it finding success in metropolises like New York.Opel Astra Sports TourerCaleb Miller - Car and Driver (Caleb Miller - Car and Driver)Although SUVs have also taken over the European market, a solid number of station wagons remain on sale there, and we were immediately drawn to this green Astra Sports Tourer. Opel's latest design language is handsome, with the headlights incorporated into the black "vizor" stretching across the front end. While the cabin had some cheap plastics, there were also supple suede inserts on the doors and seats, and the overall vibe felt more sophisticated than the Fiat.We drove the plug-in hybrid variant, which uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder mated to a single electric motor and a 12-kWh battery. That provides a useful 37 miles of WLTP electric range and 178 hp. Still, the powertrain felt responsive, and the car was quiet and refined. Roughly the size of a Honda Civic, the Astra would make a neat challenger in the compact segment if it were rebadged as a Chrysler for the U.S.Citroën C5 AircrossCaleb Miller - Car and Driver (Caleb Miller - Car and Driver)Related to the third-generation Jeep Compass that we don't yet have in the U.S., the Citroën C5 Aircross entered its second generation in 2025. The styling is sleek and fairly reserved until you see the taillights featuring fins sticking out from the D-pillar, which Citroën claims improves the aerodynamics. Inside, we found an interesting mix of cloth and leatherette surfacing, and the cabin was comfortable and fairly spacious.AdvertisementAdvertisementCitroën offers a mild hybrid, a full EV, and a PHEV; we drove the latter. The 1.6-liter turbo makes another appearance here, paired with a punchier e-motor and a larger 21-kWh battery, bringing 192 hp and a WLTP range of 53 miles. The powertrain felt potent enough to handle American highway driving, but we were less impressed by the substantial body roll, which made this Honda CR-V-sized SUV feel uncomposed in the corners, although it rode comfortably over bumps.Citroën e-C3 AircrossThe e-C3 Aircross is smaller than the C5, as the name would suggest, measuring about four inches shorter than a Toyota Corolla Cross from nose to tail. The C3 Aircross is available with a pure-gas engine or one with a 48-volt hybrid system, but we drove the electric version. The e-C3 Aircross has a single front-mounted motor producing a mere 113 horsepower, and it felt extremely lethargic under acceleration compared with the EVs we're used to here in the States. With a top speed of just 89 mph, it's best suited as an urban runabout. Like the C5 Aircross, there was also plenty of body roll and extremely light steering. The e-C3 Aircross seems decent as basic transport, a car to get you from A to B without frivolities, but not one we could ever see finding success in the U.S.Opel Grandland ElectricDespite falling seven inches short of a Chevy Equinox EV, the Grandland is the largest vehicle in Opel's lineup, aside from its vans. The clean exterior styling looks modern if not a bit anonymous, though we did like the Golden Sunstone paint and the spine that runs down the center of the hood. The cabin felt more upscale than the other cars here, with nicer plastics and metallic trim. Sharing its platform with the C5 Aircross, we thought the Grandland felt a bit more composed in the corners, but the ride was definitely on the flinty side. The electric model we drove produces 321 horsepower and felt quite zippy compared with the other cars we drove. Plus, it's rated at a healthy 311 miles of range on the WLTP test cycle.Peugeot e-3008The Peugeot e-3008, like the Grandland and the C5 Aircross, is based on the STLA Medium platform and feels fairly similar to the Opel behind the wheel. The dual-motor powertrain is smooth and responsive, but the ride was a letdown, even on the fairly well-paved test course at Stellantis's proving grounds. We dig the flashy exterior design, particularly the three slashes in the headlights and the intricately patterned grille. But we were frustrated by the interior configuration, with the digital gauge cluster mounted high up on the dashboard, requiring you to adjust the steering wheel to be almost in your lap, creating an awkward driving position, similar to the latest Toyota Prius. Still, the eye-catching design goes a long way.Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat JailbreakCaleb Miller - Car and Driver (Caleb Miller - Car and Driver)Stellantis, of course, brought along some American products, and after stepping out of the European cars, the Durango SRT Hellcat felt like a breath of fresh air. Sure, this generation of Durango may be well over a decade old, but you can't beat the roar of a 710-hp supercharged 6.2-liter V-8.AdvertisementAdvertisement➡️ Skip the lot. Let Car and Driver help you find your next car.Shop New Cars Shop Used CarsYou Might Also LikeGift Guide: Best Ride-On Electric Cars for KidsFuture Cars Worth Waiting For: 2025–2029
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