FIAT launches the ‘World’s Happiest Christmas Car Playlist’ according to science – and reveals the Christmas song that will make Brits happiest

• World’s Happiest Christmas Car Playlist by FIAT launched in partnership with leading music psychologist
• Brenda Lee's classic ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ is scientifically the happiest Christmas song, beating ‘Feliz Navidad’ and ‘Jingle Bell Rock’
• 25 track, hour-long playlist available for FREE on Spotify from today
• Music psychologist Dr Claire Renfrew has detailed the formula that defines the happiest Christmas songs
• FIAT research found nearly half of Brits mood boosted by listening to Christmas songs
• Grande Panda exemplifies FIAT’s happiness brand ethos and is available in fully electric and hybrid powertrains and with a choice of Pop, Icon and La Prima trim levels with prices starting from just £18,995. Visit www.fiat.co.uk for full details.

A leading music expert has developed the world’s happiest Christmas car playlist 'guaranteed' to keep everyone happy – according to science.

The ‘World’s Happiest Christmas Car Playlist by FIAT’ - a 25-track, hour long playlist is available for FREE on Spotify and was created using a happiness equation – a scientific formula that analyses melody, tempo, and lyrical patterns proven to boost mood.

Ranked in order of happiness, the top song that is scientifically proven to make drivers happiest is Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.’ ’Feliz Navidad,’ ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’ ‘Holly Jolly Christmas,’ and ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ make up the top five science-backed songs.

FIAT created the playlist to mark the arrival of the FIAT Grande Panda, which is on sale across the UK with prices starting from just £18,995.

Dr Claire Renfrew, a Music Psychologist, sifted through hours of festive tracks to uncover the formula for musical happiness.

According to the formula, the secret to a dopamine-boosting song is a combination of being in a major key, featuring bright and energetic vocals and instruments, a tempo between 100–140 BPM, a simple and catchy chorus, and a structure commonly following Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Instrumental → Chorus.

While FIAT’s research found Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ was the nation’s favourite Christmas song, its longing lyrics meant it finished outside the top 10 mood boosting songs.

Dr Renfrew said: "It's important all the songs 'work' together because the playlist you have can make or break your drive home for Christmas.

“Christmas songs can have a surprisingly powerful positive impact on us psychologically.

“Not only do Christmas songs boost our moods, they reduce stress, evoke nostalgia, enhance social bonding, increase energy, trigger joyful anticipation, and improve emotional regulation, making them powerful psychological tools for happiness and festive well-being."

Victoria Hatfield, FIAT UK marketing director, said: "Happiness is at the heart of our brand ethos, and we believe driving home for Christmas should be a joyful experience, where drivers get a taste of La Dolce Vita, not a stressful one. That’s why we created the ‘World’s Happiest Christmas Car Playlist by FIAT’ – to turn festive journeys into joyful moments. With the right playlist and a little planning, every drive home can feel stress-free and build anticipation for the big day.

“It’s not just about a playlist though, driving a car that brings you joy is also important, and we believe that in 2026 Fiat Grande Panda will be putting a smile on the faces of lots of drivers with its unique design, practicality and affordability.”

FIAT also carried out research with 2,000 Christmas celebrating motorists and found 25 per cent think it is only acceptable to listen to festive music from 5th December.

Almost half (48 per cent) said yuletide songs make them feel happy, whereas 45 per cent said they help them tap into nostalgia.

Despite it being a highlight of the year, 47 per cent believed it’s the most stressful time to be on the roads.

Everywhere being busier (75 per cent), people driving with more urgency (66 per cent) and adverse weather conditions (59 per cent) were the biggest causes of the increased stress levels.

Whereas 53 per cent highlighted parking issues as a key cause of higher tensions.

More than one in 10 (13 per cent) said they will be on the road for longer than an hour on their drive home for Christmas.

The majority (69 per cent) will be travelling by car - with 57 per cent of these travelling with their partner and 44 per cent taking to the road with their children.

To keep children entertained on the journey 76 per cent said they will listen to Christmas songs, and 48 per cent said they will sing songs together.

Fiat Grande Panda: Designed for Happy Festive Moments

Whether it’s the school nativity run or heading home for Christmas, FIAT’s new Grande Panda is the ideal car for music-loving families. Designed for comfort, colour, and joy, it embodies FIAT’s spirit of happiness and ‘Dolce Vita’ – bringing Italian style and a sense of joy to every journey.

With a unique, innovative design, practical space and large touchscreen media display, the Grande Panda helps reduce stress on busy roads while keeping everyone entertained. Add in wireless CarPlay and Android Auto and a premium sound system for the ultimate Christmas playlist, and the drive home becomes the start of the celebrations.

World’s Happiest Christmas Car Playlist by FIAT, according to science

1. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
2. Feliz Navidad – José Feliciano
3. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
4. Holly Jolly Christmas – Michael Bublé
5. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard
6. It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams
7. Sleigh Ride – Harry Connick, Jr.
8. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – The Jackson 5
9. Wonderful Christmastime (Edited Version / Remastered) – Paul McCartney
10. Underneath the Tree – Kelly Clarkson
11. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
12. Winter Wonderland – Bing Crosby
13. Step Into Christmas – Elton John
14. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Frank Sinatra
15. Last Christmas – Wham!
16. White Christmas – Bing Crosby
17. Merry Christmas Everyone – Shakin’ Stevens
18. Mistletoe – Justin Bieber
19. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – Remastered 2010 – John Lennon, Yoko Ono
20. Christmas Wrapping – The Waitresses
21. Santa Tell Me – Ariana Grande
22. Silver Bells – Dean Martin
23. Little Saint Nick – The Beach Boys
24. Do They Know It’s Christmas? – 1984 Version – Band Aid
25. Deck The Hall – Nat King Cole

Listen now: World’s Happiest Christmas Car Playlist by FIAT

5^th December 2025

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