THE Panda Cross may sound like an animal you don't want to mess with - but Fiat make this bulked up bear a pleasure to spend some time with.

Based on the existing Panda 4x4, the Cross is aimed at the small Sport Utility Vehicle sector and those looking for a bit of individuality.

They will not be disappointed as an in-your-face new bumper and a silver-finished skidplate with two red tow hooks greet you at the front end.

The headlights are framed with matte black surrounds and the fog lights should really be called frog lights as they look like the eyes of our amphibious friends. There are also LED daytime running lights situated out of harm's way in special recesses.

Natty silver roof bars and side strips with the Cross log, plus a chrome exhaust pipe complete the job of making this car stand out from the crowd.

The aggressive exterior leaves no doubt that Fiat have equipped this motor for life off-road with a raised ride height aided by protection fitted to the underside and side of the car and some good-looking 15-inch alloys which come with all-season mud and snow tyres.

There's also all-wheel drive and an all terrain selector switch with three modes - Auto, Off-road and Hill Descent Control.

When driven in normal on-road conditions in Auto, 98 per cent of the power goes to the front wheels, but the system automatically switches to 4x4 if there is a major loss of grip. Off-road switches to permanent all-wheel drive while Hill Descent automatically slows the Cross to a crawl on steep drops.

In terms of normal family use it makes the Cross ideal for coping easily with muddy fields next to school football matches or getting across camp sites in the rain - although most owners will be unlikely to put its mud-plugging credentials to the test.

Step inside the car and Fiat has similarly created something worth looking at with nice touches like a copper-coloured dashboard and silver surrounds on the instrument panels.

Lots of goodies are included such as an enthusiastic automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, a radio/CD system with MP3 player linked to six speakers and a leather steering wheel containing controls to operate the stereo and your mobile phone. There are also powered and heated door mirrors plus a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Optional extras include rear parking sensors and a winter pack featuring a heated windscreen and heated front seats.

It is relatively easy to get a comfortable driving position thanks to height adjustable steering wheel and seat.

Safety features are extensive with a host of electronic aids designed to help keep you out of harms way and airbags if the worst happens - although side airbags are a £200 option.

Power for the Panda Cross is provided by two engines - a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel turbo and the 0.9-litre 90bhp TwinAir petrol turbo under the bonnet of the car I drove.

The two-cylinder petrol version is linked to a reasonably slick six-speed automatic transmission which translates to on-road performance that is nippy despite the pedestrian-sounding 0-62mph time of 12 seconds. It is also reasonably economical to run.

The steering is light but informative while, barring a touch of roll when pushed hard in corners, it handles efficiently.