Fiat Doblo 2017 Review

The commercial arm of Fiat, known as Fiat Professional, is not a major player in Australia’s light commercial vehicle market. While its large van, the Ducato, accounted for a healthy 1194 sales in 2016, its compact LCV, the Doblo, can lay claim to just 133 units (or 3.6 per cent of the compact LCV segment).

In stark comparison, Volkswagen's top-selling Caddy accounted for 1706 sales last year. To say the Doblo has its work cut out is an understatement but, conversely, at the bottom of the heap you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain…

The underdog
In fairness, and after driving the Doblo in and around Melbourne for a week, we were left wondering why this compact Latin LCV doesn't sell in higher numbers. Our test vehicle, the longer-wheelbase Doblo Maxi, with the flagship 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, is a strong performer, offers a well-equipped and spacious load bay and includes most features demanded by compact van buyers.

Measuring 350mm longer than short-wheelbase models, the Doblo Maxi provides a load volume of 4.2 cubic metres (versus 3.4 cubic metres for the SWB) and a handy payload of 938kg (versus 663kg).

Access to the load bay is via a sliding door on each side or the 60/40 barn-style doors at the rear, which can open to 180 degrees. The barn doors mean, unlike a top-hinge tailgate, a forklift can potentially load through the rear and that's helpful because, with the wheel arches placed 1220mm apart, there’s room for the Doblo to accept a standard Australian pallet.

The rear aperture measures 1260mm wide by 1200mm high, making it a bit more functional than the side apertures, where seating and the driver's ladder-style cargo barrier restrict the aperture width to just 610mm. We measured the load floor height at 600mm and six tie-down hooks are provided throughout the nicely finished load bay, which also features sturdy plastic flooring and two lights. The load bay itself measures in at 2080mm long.

Spacious cab
Hopping in and out of the driver's seat is easy; the seat base was at just the right height for this author to slide behind the wheel without looking for a grab handle (good thing, too – there isn't one).

Once inside, the cab feels surprisingly roomy – there's ample head room and the driver sits well back from the windscreen, amplifying the sense of space.

The seating itself is comfy enough and the two-tone fabric upholstery looks attractive. There's an armrest too but it's non-adjustable and set quite low.

Notwithstanding hard-wearing vinyl flooring and acres of hard plastic, the utilitarian intent is softened somewhat by the variety of textures and hues (black, grey and light grey), as well as a piano black fascia surrounding the head unit on the centre stack.

Annoyingly, the only functional cup holder is located low beneath the gear-lever. It's an awkward place and won’t find favour with hard-working couriers keen for their early morning coffee.

The steering wheel is nicely sculpted but made from noticeably hard plastic.

Overall, most controls, such as those for heating and cooling, are easy to access and use. However, you must lean well forward to reach the knob for adjusting the (smallish) side mirrors, which means there's a bit of guesswork involved to get them right for when you're sitting back again. Also, the spot mirrors below the standard side mirrors are fixed – and their angle just wasn't right for this 188cm-tall driver.

The radio/CD/multimedia unit works fine but it's far from intuitive. Pairing a phone was easy but only after a frustrating 15 minute deep-dive into the owner’s manual for instructions. USB and 3.5mm jacks are located down low near the hand brake, which isn't ideal, and the radio's reception is a bit patchy.

Fiat equips the Doblo’s doors with reasonable side pockets, there are a number of trays/cubby holes to store smaller items, and a 'secret' compartment built into the base of the passenger seat for valuables.

Behind the wheel
The Fiat Doblo Maxi is an exceptionally easy van to drive, with the gear-lever placed in the perfect spot and offering a smooth and precise shifting action. The clutch pedal, too, has a light action and a pleasingly progressive take-up.

Vision is as good as you can expect from a van with steel sides; we've already noted the smaller side mirrors, but the A-pillars are relatively skinny and there's a decent view through the rear doors, with the larger one sporting a window wiper.

The instrumentation is attractive and easy enough to read, with a large digital display positioned between the analogue speedo and tacho. The speedo is graduated in the European fashion – 30km/h, 50km/h, 70km/h etc.

Fiat’s 2.0-litre turbo-diesel makes for spirited progress around town and, in traffic, the Doblo Maxi can mix it with the best of them. There's useable torque from just off idle and the grunt keeps coming in a wide band which extends to just below 4000rpm.

While the Maxi uses this engine exclusively, standard Doblo buyers can choose from a 1.4-litre petrol engine, or a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel in one of two power ratings.

At standstill on suitable gradients, hill hold assist makes for easier take-offs and the dedicated cruise control stalk is easy to use. Rear parking sensors are standard and, while the Doblo Maxi hasn't been assessed by ANCAP, it is equipped with stability control, antilock brakes, electronic brake force distribution and a fire prevention system, as well as front and side airbags for driver and passenger.

We've got no qualms about the Doblo Maxi's handling. It soaks up bumps pretty well and rides more like a passenger car than a commercial, which is to say it's not excessively harsh without a load. The brakes are strong and the turning circle is acceptable – about what you'd expect of a front-drive vehicle.

As for fuel economy, at the week's end, the Doblo Maxi had registered 6.7L/100km, which is adequate given most of the running was conducted in city traffic. Pleasingly, Euro 5 emissions compliance is achieved via a diesel particulate filter, meaning there's no AdBlue tank to think about.

Noise suppression underway is good, with only moderate road noise. To enhance refinement, Fiat offers a full bulkhead complete with glazed window.

As for service and after-sales support, the Doblo Maxi is covered by a three-year, 200,000 kilometre warranty, and oil change intervals are pegged at every 30,000 kilometres.
Summing up

The Fiat Doblo Maxi may have its quirks – like that cup holder location - but after a week behind the wheel, we were wondering why this hardworking compact van isn't selling in far greater numbers. It's a joy to drive, doesn't lack features and the load-lugging ability is thoroughly respectable. If you're pondering the purchase of a vehicle in this category, don't discount this Italian alternative.

2017 Fiat Doblo Maxi pricing and specifications:
Price: $31,000 (plus ORC)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 99kW/320Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Fuel: 5.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 154g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A