Fiat Doblo Review 2023
The Fiat Doblo is a small and nippy city van that provides excellent bang for your buck. With good capabilities and engaging on-the-road performance, the Doblo is perfect for sole traders who operate in the city.
Rivals to the Doblo include the Citroen Berlingo, Ford Transit Connect, Peugeot Partner, and Volkswagen Caddy.
Our Fiat Doblo review covers:
- Modern exterior with unique front end
- Well-equipped interior
- Up to 3.8m3 of load space
- Two diesel engines
- Two trim levels: Standard and Primo
Pros:
- Good ride quality and handling
- Economical diesel engines
- Generous cargo space
Cons:
- Limited leg and headroom
- Interior not as advanced as rivals
The Doblo is now in its third generation and is Fiat's version of the Citroen Berlingo. While both vans look very similar at the rear, the Doblo stands out at the front thanks to its slightly longer bonnet and bigger headlights.
Climb inside the Doblo, and you'll find a pleasant interior, but it's a bit tight for our liking. Head and legroom are okay and will probably be good enough for most, but if you're looking for a spacious cabin, look towards the Ford Transit Connect or Volkswagen Caddy.
Storage space is also reasonable, coming with a glovebox, various trays, an overhead storage compartment above the windscreen, and door bins.
The Doblo is available in two lengths, L1H1 and L2H1. The smaller version can hold up to 3.8m3 of load volume, while the bigger version can hold up to 4.4m3. This is on par for a small van and is similar across all the Stellantis vans, like the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner.
You'll also be able to carry up to 984kg of cargo and tow up to 1,200kg.
Where the Doblo matches its rivals in many other departments, it falls short in terms of its interior. Although well-built, the dash is pretty simple and doesn't have the premium features you'd find in the Ford Transit Connect and Volkswagen Caddy.
On the dash is an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, satellite navigation, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It's a decent system that's good to use while driving, and it's a big plus that it comes with sat-nav as standard.
Two trim levels are available for the Doblo: Standard and Primo.
Standard has 15-inch wheels, two side-sliding doors, manual air conditioning, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ABS, emergency brake assist, remote control central locking, and cruise control with speed limiter.
Primo adds 16-inch wheels, a height-adjustable driver's seat and lumbar support, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera in the central rear-view mirror, a magic cargo load-through, electric windows and heated folding mirrors, and a passenger bench seat with armrest, storage, and writing table.
Two diesels make up the engine range for the Doblo. The entry-level unit has 100hp and is paired to a manual transmission, while the range-topper has 130hp and an automatic transmission.
Both engines are great to drive and are perfectly suited for carrying heavy cargo. You'll also get a fuel economy of just below 50mpg.
On the road, the Doblo is a composed drive both around town and on the motorway. Its light steering and tight turning circle make it a dream to navigate a city, while the suspension deals with potholes and bumps in the road excellently.
Increase it to motorway speed, and the Doblo is relatively quiet. Yes, there's a bit of grumble from the engine, but it's nothing to worry about. You'll also find that the suspension maintains its comfort at cruising speed, dealing with bumps in the road well.
Prices for the new Fiat Doblo start from £24,666.00 OTR* or to lease from Price On Request per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Fiat Doblo? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
