What is it?
The Doblo is Fiat’s versatile panel van which has been around for a few years now but thanks to its impressive payload, large cargo area and wide choice of body styles, it remains as competitive as ever.
It’s available in short- and long-wheelbase with high and low roofs and choices extend to a pickup and chassis cab plus a Combi version if you want to use it as a passenger carrier – there are few other vans that can offer all that.
Why would you want a Fiat Doblo?
- Good payload
- Well-proven diesel engines
- Choice of bodystyles
- Reliability
What might put you off a Fiat Doblo?
- Lack of modern tech
- Utilitarian cab
- Lack of infotainment system
- Poor cab storage space
What do we think?
While the Doblo remains amongst the most practical it is showing keys age, particularly in the cab which has rather been left behind by its rivals and lacking in refinement and some of the latest technology.
Power comes from Fiat’s well-worn diesel engines, each with a choice of two power outputs:
- 3-litre MultiJet, 80hp
- 3-litre MultiJet, 95hp
- 6-litre MultiJet, 105hp
- 6-litre MultiJet, 120hp
These are all well-proven units although you will no longer find a petrol engine in the line-up.
It’s well worth going for the high power 1.6 which comes with six-speed gearbox and provides a much more relaxing drive for the long distance runners.
The bigger engines are also useful if you want to make the most of the available payload from the long wheelbase and high roof models, although the penalty is an increased price.
Trim levels are Standard, SX, Tecnico and Sportivo. Opting for the higher specification models can also include good value service packages.
What you will find with the Doblo is a fairly comfortable ride thanks to a well thought out suspension set up which gives a solid feel even when the cargo area is empty.
You might get a bit of roll on the corners, but then what van doesn’t? Steering is also light enough for manoeuvring without losing feel for the road.
The cabin, while quote utilitarian by today’s standards, is airy enough and the low seating gives the impression that you are in an SUV rather than a van even though the Doblo is not low to the ground.
What you won’t find, however, is bags of storage space and those that there are aren’t particularly practical – it relies out for somewhere sensible to put a smart phone. – but then so do a lot of cars.
There is plenty of adjustment to the driver’s seat so getting comfortable is not an issue.
How about running costs? Well the Doblo should not Be too expensive to run with good fuel economy – Fiat says 52.3mpg for the 1.6 although we achieved the mid-40s on what was largely non-motorway, short, sharp hops.
In fact all engines are capable of 50-plus mpg and a five year warranty applies to some models.
CO2 figure for the 1.6 is 144g/km while Service intervals for all Doblos are two years or 21,000 miles.
If you go for the Tecnico or Sportivo models, warranties run to five years and bring along Fiat’s 5-5-5 package which adds five years free servicing and five years roadside assistance making the higher purchase price worth paying.
The Doblo is practical and well-priced against its rivals. It will do all the carrying and delivery basics with ease but if it’s technical wizardry, gadgets and creature comforts you’re after then you will be better off looking elsewhere.
Standard equipment includes Radio and CD player, electric windows, stop start and hill hold but you have to work your way up the range to add in such th8ns as air con and USB/Bluetooth connectivity
The funky Sportivo model we tested comes with exterior decals and alloy wheels as well as a leather steering wheel and gear knob.
What you won’t find in any of the models is a reversing camera – so useful in a panel van – or a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
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