Fiat Doblo

Auto Express Car Reviews

Rating: -
On the road price: £10,115 - £12,705
For : Practical, cheap, quite good to drive
Against : Underpowered engines, individual styling

Fiat obviously thought the French were onto a good thing with their van-based family cars; the Renault Kangoo, Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner. Rising to the challenge, Fiat has produced its own interpretation of the genre, the Doblo. Like its rivals it offers all the advantages of a van, that being a massive amount of versatile space, while also providing seating for five or, from 2004, seven people. Two sliding doors give great passenger access, and with the seats folded there's a class-leading 3000 litres of carrying capacity. Specification is good for the price, though it can be added to with the extensive options list.

There are three engines on offer, a 1.2-litre petrol, a 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel and a 1.9-litre JTD turbodiesel. Of the three, there's only one worth considering - the JTD. The petrol and normally aspirated diesel provide a drive that, at best, is leisurely, at worst, painfully slow. That's a shame, for the Doblo is quite an enjoyable drive. The steering has good feel, and the ride is surefooted and compliant. The JTD engine allows you to enjoy the Doblo more, making it a remarkably easy, and practical, car to live with. If you can stomach the oddball looks.