Fiat Doblo car review

The Fiat Doblo offers so much space for the money it’s sure to appeal to wide range of customers looking for the ultimate in practicality.

Taking on models including the Citroen Berlingo Multispace and Skoda Roomster, the Doblo replaces its popular predecessor, which was first introduced in 2001.

Fiat Doblo gallery:

Eight versions are available to suit all needs, and budgets. The Doblo range starts at £12,295 and tops out at £17,145, with up to seven seats available in the cabin.

The boot is accessed by a large rear hatch, and has a massive 790-litre capacity. Remove the rear seats and Fiat claims its 3,200-litres of luggage space is class-leading.

Loading bigger items should be easy too, thanks to a very low, wide and flat boot floor. The previous Doblo has proved popular with Motability customers, and the new model is just as well suited to the adaptations required for wheelchair access.

Headroom is simply vast, adding to the flexibility of the interior. Front occupants benefit from a useful storage bin above the windscreen, a feature more often seen in full-size vans than passenger vehicles.

All rear seats tumble and fold, and can be removed and left in your garage. The rear parcel shelf can be used to hide luggage, or dropped down to create a flat shelf capable of carrying up to 70kg.

Our only complaint is the amount of effort required to shut the large rear hatch, and the height of the grab handle – which could put it out of reach of some people.

Improved styling

While looks probably aren’t top of a Doblo customer’s requirements, Fiat’s latest design has improved the look and feel of the Doblo substantially.

The most striking changes are to the nose, and to the side view of the car. By finishing the front and side window pillars in a high-gloss paint, its designers have given the illusion of an unbroken wrap-around window.

This makes the Doblo look more modern, and disguises some of the top-heavy appearance of the vehicle, which is very tall in stature.

A new engine line-up includes a 1.4-litre petrol and 1.6- and 2-litre diesel motors.

The 1.6-litre diesel replaces the 1.9 previously available, offering the same 105bhp and increased pulling power, despite its smaller capacity.

It’s much cleaner than the 1.9, with emissions of 138g/km and its fuel combined consumption of 54.3mpg is a 5.6mpg improvement.

This is the only engine available with Fiat’s Manual Transmission Automated (MTA) gearbox. It can act as a full automatic, or changes can be made by pushing or pulling the gearlever.

Strong performer

We tested the 135bhp, 2-litre diesel and found it certainly had plenty of punch. With a smooth delivery and the sound of a whoosh of air from the turbo, acceleration is most un-van like.

With 95bhp and a combined consumption of 39.2mpg, the 1.4-litre petrol seems outclassed by the diesels on paper – but could be appealing to those on a tight budget, as it’s the cheapest model to buy.

Every Doblo gets stop and start technology, which cuts the engine when you stop in traffic and restarts it automatically, reducing fuel consumption by as much as 15 per cent.

The previous Doblo only achieved three stars in EuroNCAP crash tests, so customers’ will be hoping for a better result this time ‘round. With ESP, ABS, EBD, front airbags and new full-size side airbags fitted as standard, the new car offers a more comprehensive safety package than before.

Handling has been improved, and the feel through the steering wheel suggests this is a more precise car than the one which went before.

As you tackle an s-bend or roundabout, the reduction in body lean makes the Doblo feel more grown-up and comfortable than before.

But, it still has comfortable suspension, which soaks up bumps well and keeps your precious cargo happy.