Butit is starting to show its age, particularly in terms of the driving experience and the cab. Is it still worth a look? Read our full 2022 Fiat Doblo Cargo review to find out, or check out our best small vans top 10 to see where the Doblo fits in.
These are good engines, but those after a petrol engine or an automatic gearbox will clearly have to look elsewhere - although you might find a secondhand example with a petrol engine, as this has been offered previously. As have larger diesel engines.
Every Doblo Cargo claims to return more than 50mpg on the combined WLTP cycle, which is pretty good going. It's better than the PSA Group vans can manage, for instance, and they are the newest small vans on the market.
Nowhere does the Doblo Cargo feel its age more than on the specification sheet. While all the basics necessary for making deliveries and such like are covered, there are few creature comforts and almost no clever safety or tech additions.
The Doblo gives every appearance of being a reliable little van - Fiat does have a lot of experience building commercial vehicles, and the engines the Doblo uses are well-proven throughout the firm's car range as well.
A plastic part in the rear central-locking mechanism can fail, causing that to stop working and sometimes preventing the doors from opening. Advice is to make sure doors are fully shut before trying to lock them, and try and avoid loading against them.
If buying used, pay particular attention to the rear suspension - as you should do with any van, really. The Doblo works its rear bumpstops rather hard, and if they are worn out or missing it will become loud over bumps and potentially develop some handling issues,
This one's really simple. All the latest Doblo Cargos are rated for 1,005kg of payload, regardless of their body dimensions - though short-wheelbase models do require an option box to be ticked to upgrade from their standard 750kg payload.
It's the smaller 1.3-litre engines that win out here, returning a claimed 53.3mpg. However, if you're travelling loaded most of the time, you might find one of the 1.6-litre units returns better real-world numbers as it won't have to work so hard to shift that bulky payload.
Launched in 2010, the second-generation Fiat Doblo Cargo was a complete transformation from its predecessor; offering much improved productivity, fuel economy and driving characteristics. A facelifted version was launched in early 2015, so we put it to the test to see how many alterations were carried out.
The cab is very spacious and feels particularly, and the seats and steering wheel are fully adjustable to suit drivers of all shapes and sizes. There is also a respectable number of storage spaces, including an overhead storage shelf, an open compartment just above the glovebox and a central cubby.
Being the entry-level standard specification, our test vehicle only comes electric windows, central locking, full bulkhead and a radio with a CD player, auxiliary and USB inputs, a built-in MP3 player and Bluetooth connectivity.
Although it may not be the quickest off the mark, it certainly feels a lot more lively and responsive than before, particularly when applying acceleration between 1,500rpm and 2,000rpm. During the facelift, additional soundproofing was installed around the cab which means both the engine and road noise are suppressed.
Even the smallest and lightest of the Fiat Doblo Cargo derivatives is capable of carrying up to 3.4 cubic metres of load in the back. At 1,820mm long and 1,230mm between the wheelarches, the load area can accommodate two ISO1 pallets, but only one Euro-pallet.
Another advantage of the multilink suspension is its carrying capacity; the rear axle is capable of supporting a class leading load of up to 1,450kg. The payload, however, on the basic van is reduced to 750kg with the weight of the body.
With a recommended price of 13,995 plus VAT, the Fiat Doblo Cargo represents huge value for money considering older and less efficient competitors, like the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner, are similarly priced.
Despite the majority of sales coming from large fleets and local authorities, the Fiat Doblo Work Up is also appealing to a number of smaller construction firms who are looking for a more fuel-efficient alternative to the 3.5-tonne van conversions and pickups.
With large windows all round, including the rear, the familiar spacious cab of the Fiat Doblo seems a lot brighter. The seat and steering wheel are adjustable and, although lacking in style, the dashboard is tidy and functional.
The Fiat Doblo Work Up is quite utilitarian to drive with its inaccurate steering and the amount of road noise generated at speed, but it composes itself well into the corners and vision is good all around.
The 2.17m load length may fall short of most medium panel vans, but the 1,230mm between the wheelarches means that the Doblo can accommodate two Euro-pallets. Twin side loading doors are standard, which greatly improves accessibility to the cargo area.
Only the 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels are available on the XL as the 1.3-litre diesel is perceived to be underpowered for this size of vehicle. We tested the 2.0-litre, with 135hp, which achieves 47.1mpg on the combined cycle, thanks in part to the sixth gear keeping engine revolutions low at the higher speeds.
Road noise is relatively low thanks to adequate sound proofing and there is little body roll in the corners. The ride is quite firm and slight bumps in the road are more noticeable than in other vans.
Compact vans are a versatile choice for many drivers, offering a car-like driving experience and a practical size. The Fiat Doblo, like many small vans, fits comfortably in standard parking spaces and navigates multi-story car parks with ease, making it perfect for city environments.
Fiat is renowned the world over for building reliable vehicles and the Doblo van is certainly no different; it has not one but two safety accolades to its name courtesy of the International Van of the Year awards.
Bursting onto the commercial vehicle scene back in the year 2,000, this little runner really does stand the test of time and is ideal for both work and home life, having won the Van of the Year award in 2006 and 2011.
Doblo is a small panel van that is available with three to six doors. Car-like in its size and overall driving style, the van can be configurated to have two doors for access to the cabin plus a rear-access cargo door, alongside side-sliding doors on either side in addition to double rear access doors too.
Your Doblo will come with twin-opening rear doors, plus one sliding door at the side - a second can be added upon request. Designed to accommodate a variety of business needs, on the inside is where things get even more interesting;
There are a number of bulkheads to choose from depending on how you wish to configure the interior load space, and of course to facilitate numerous size loads. For extra convenience, an internal roof rack is available as well as the option of a roof hatch which means you can carry even the most unusual-sized loads.
In terms of performance, it does pretty well in its class. It has a punchy delivery of power and performs well on the road, playing to the strengths of its car-like design. More than capable in its ability on both city streets and rural country roads, the confident handling is certainly a selling point which is available in five or six-speed transmission.
For 2024, Fiat has added its Traction+ technology to the Doblo which provides even better grip to all four wheels of the vehicle, leaving even first-time van drivers feeling super safe and comfortable in the cabin.
All Doblo models have ESC (Electronic Stability Control) to help stabilise the van when carrying cargo in the rear, which is complemented by ABS (Antilock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), brake assist, hill-start assist, and much more. The infotainment system features an 8" colour touchscreen display, providing all the information necessary for the driver.
Overall, it is a very practical and affordable MPV that is also reasonably inexpensive to run! The 7-seater Doblo people carrier really does have room for everyone - and everything else you need to carry on the journey as well.
Yes, Fiat Doblo reliability and performance are well-known and stand the test of time. It has been in circulation since the year 2,000 and has seen three generations of design in that time in a bid to ensure the Doblo remains a key player in the small van market.
Basing itself on one of the frontrunners in the small van market, the Vauxhall Combo is built upon the same platform as the Fiat Doblo. As such, it shares many similarities while still having a number of differences too, making the Doblo stand out from its rivals.
The number of miles per gallon can vary between models, but the manufacturer states you can expect to achieve up to 56.5mpg with the 1.3 Multijet engine variant. The real mpg will depend on many factors, such as the cargo weight, speed, fuel quality, driving style etc.
Like all vehicles, Doblo is no stranger to problems, and if not looked after properly, minor issues can lead to major fixes. When talking about Fiat Doblo van problems, the most commonly reported one affecting is the starter motor, which can corrode over time. But, regular servicing and maintenance will help to ensure that potential problems can be addressed in plenty of time.
At Loads of Vans, we appreciate a small-sized van can prove a big help for your business. We supply vans to tradespeople all over the UK and proudly boast a huge range of commercial vehicles at our dealership based in North Cheam located in the Sutton area of South London.
Discover the popular new Fiat Doblo for sale in person to see just how much this compact van has to offer. We specialise in the sale of brand new, nearly new, and high-quality approved used vans and have a number of Doblo models in stock which are ready to drive away today. Get in touch with one of our team members for more information on the vehicle, leasing options and deals.
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