Fiat Doblo (2021)

The Fiat Doblo was launched in 2010 and a revamp in 2020 added a new 1.3-litre engine to the line-up. It’s a fairly cheap van to buy and a good runner but the range is starting to show its age now.

The Fiat Doblo has managed to stand the test of time with a great design and impressive payload. There’s a wide range of body styles and a large load space but despite the revamp in 2020, this van is now being overtaken by rivals. Not only does it have an old-fashioned look to the cabin, the driving experience is also underwhelming and when fully loaded, the refinement can also be poor. However, this is a practical and sturdy van that has been built to last and should take lots of punishment.

FIAT SAYS

The Fiat Professional Doblo added a new engine to its popular model line-up with the introduction of the 1.3-litre MultiJet 80hp engine.

The Doblo is now more versatile than ever with its new engine line-up. The 1.3-litre MultiJet engine has a choice of two power outputs, 80hp and 95hp, while the 1.6-litre MultiJet engine can deliver either 105hp or 120hp.

With its best-in-class load area of up to 5.4m3 and class-leading payload of up to 1 tonne, the Doblo is suitable for most tasks.

There are four trim levels available for the Doblo and an Eco Pack which adds Stop&Start, a smart alternator and an electronically controlled fuel pump to save energy and ensure higher combustion efficiency.

The Doblo shows its true versatility with a number of different versions to make it suitable for a variety of business needs.

The Fiat Doblo is priced from £15,995, excl VAT, for the 1.3-litre Multijet 80hp.

For more information on the entire Fiat Professional range, visit Fiatprofessional.com.

Reasons to buy

The Fiat Doblo is a well-made and durable small van for those who want a decent load-lugger. Despite showing its age, and having a poor driving experience when fully loaded, the Doblo Cargo is certainly worth considering. It’s fairly cheap to buy and run with effective diesel engines. The new petrol engine is also a decent performer around town.

If you like the Fiat Doblo, then consider the Peugeot Partner or the Citroen Berlingo.

Running Costs

The 2020 revamp added a new 1.3-litre MultiJet petrol engine producing 80hp. It returns 51mpg, with emissions of 149g/km.

The ever-popular diesel engines are still available with the 1.6-litre unit returning 46mpg, with emissions of 160g/km. The power output is 105hp, while there’s a diesel unit producing 120hp which delivers similar economy and emissions figures.

All of the engines are good performers with the diesel engines being particularly good for long distance runs.

Load Space

The Fiat Doblo offers a load area of 5.4 m³, which is the best in class the firm says, with a payload of up to 1 tonne. This makes the Doblo suitable for most undertakings. The different versions for the Fiat Doblo include the Cargo, Passenger, Maxi Passenger, Maxi Cargo, Cargo XL, Crew Van, XL Passenger, Maxi Platform and Work up – that means there’s a version of the Doblo to meet most business needs.

Technology & Safety

The Fiat Doblo comes with four trims which are Standard, Tecnico, SX and Sportivo. The standard spec includes various comfort and safety features, while the SX offers more including a sliding door on the near side, body-coloured door mirrors and a height adjustable driver’s seat. The Technico trim boosts comfort levels and adds reversing sensors, air-conditioning, cruise control and satnav.

The Sportivo is only available in black metallic paint with folding electric heated door mirrors and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Safety kit for the Doblo range includes tyre pressure monitoring, electronic stability control, traction control and cruise control with a speed limiter.

Performance

The Fiat Doblo offers an excellent small van with low running costs and the diesel engines are sound performers on motorways. The new petrol engine is surprisingly agile and delivers a nippy performance, even when fully loaded around town. The Doblo has been a popular choice and while it is not the quickest small van in the segment, it is certainly a comfortable van to drive with decent refinement levels.