Fiat Scudo Panorama MPV (2007 – ) expert review

1. Exterior

It’s a big box, bought for its usefulness rather than any styling flair, but as big boxes go the Fiat Scudo isn’t without appeal. The wrap-around headlamps do give it a bit of a car-like nose, even if it’s lacking any real Fiat styling identifiers other than its badge. Blame the Scudo’s origins for that, as the big Fiat is built alongside the all-but-identical Peugeot Expert and Citroen Dispatch models.

Our rating: 3

2. Interior

Again the Scudo’s van origins shine through here, literally, with the plastics rather hard and bright. That does mean that they feel built to last. Thankfully van interiors have come on a long way in recent years, so despite the hard, shiny plastics the Scudo is a relatively comfortable driving environment. The gearstick is usefully positioned on the dashboard, the driving position good (its height and all-round visibility great) and the seats themselves are comfortable. It’s no Ford Galaxy or Volkswagen Sharan for quality look and feel, but if you appreciate utility then the Scudo has merit.

Our rating: 2

3. Practicality

Nothing beats a van for practicality, so the Scudo Panorama scores big. There’s seating for eight (optionally), with each passenger having an individual seat. Shoulder room is tight for all but the smallest adults in the rear, but children won’t be short of space. Even the optional third row seats offer good legroom, while there’s even a spacious boot behind them – something most regular multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) can’t manage. Access is good too, thanks to sliding rear doors. Take the seats out and there’s a van again, and there’s enough cubby storage to lose any number of things in.

Our rating: 5

4. Ride and handling

Judge the Scudo by conventional MPV standards and it’s nowhere near as sophisticated to drive as most rivals. For a commercial-based vehicle though it drives decently enough, with relatively flat cornering and ride comfort that’s reasonable. It improves markedly when there are more people or weight on board, the Scudo’s suspension being a bit busy if you’re driving it alone. The steering is surprisingly sharp, but there’s absolutely no feel at its rim. It feels secure on the motorway though, which, given it’s likely to be running between airports as a minicab is no bad thing.

Our rating: 2

5. Performance

The Scudo Panorama is hauled along by a 2-litre turbodiesel in either 120bhp or 163bhp outputs. Really, you need the 163bhp engine if you want to make decent progress and even then it needs working pretty hard, especially with a full load. The six-speed gearbox is swift enough, though again the Scudo fails to fully hide its commercial origins. The engine is pretty gruff when starting and it’s not the quietest on the move either. Compared to more car-like driving alternatives the Scudo feels rather old-school on the road.

Our rating: 2

6. Running costs

Vans need to earn their living and to keep them competitive they’re generally not expensive to run. That’s to the benefit of non-commercial owners, who should find the Scudo a relatively inexpensive daily driver. Servicing shouldn’t be bank-breaking, CO2 emissions of 185g/km are respectable given its size, as is its 39.8mpg average fuel economy figure. Used values aren’t brilliant, with the Scudo not faring very well on the second-hand market against more conventional MPVs.

Our rating: 3

7. Reliability

With its commercial roots you can be pretty sure the Scudo Panorama will be a decently reliable machine. Built to withstand the hard life of a working vehicle, family use shouldn’t be any problem for the big, spacious Fiat. Our only concern would be with Fiat’s dealer network should something go wrong with it, as it has not got the best reputation for service. The Scudo does come with a three-year, 120,000-mile warranty, though.

Our rating: 4

8. Safety

The Scudo hasn’t been independently crash tested, but in Panorama guise it comes with anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme, a driver and passenger airbag and side airbags. Each of the individual rear seats has a full three-point seatbelt integrated into the seat’s backrest and there’s a seatbelt reminder light.

Our rating: 3

9. Equipment

With dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth telephone connection, a height adjustable driver’s seat and more seats and storage cubbies than anything we’ve ever driven, the Scudo Panorama has all the basics. If planning on carrying six children in the back we’d recommend paying extra for a rear-seat entertainment system.

Our rating: 3

10. Why buy?

The Scudo Panorama’s van roots make it a highly practical choice. It’s not as car-like to drive as many seven-seat rivals, but few vehicles can match the Scudo’s ability to seat eight – all while leaving room for luggage. It’s not terribly sophisticated, but as a tool the Scudo Panorama is difficult to criticise.

Our rating: 3