A DOB FOR EVERY JOB (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 48

Fiat's Doblo van evolved in this Stellantis-designed third generation form, which brought the option of an all-electric version. Much about this MK3 model was shared with competing brands in the sector for compact LCVs, but this one still deserves a look if you're seeking a modern value-based package.

Modelsword count: 9

compact van (1.5 TDCi diesel / Electric - EV)

Historyword count: 116

In 2022, the Doblo compact LCV model switched from being a primarily Fiat-sourced design to one with shared Stellantis Group underpinnings. Specifically here the EMP2 chassis already used by the Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo, Vauxhall Combo Cargo and Toyota Proace City. Which meant there could be an all-electric E-Doblo model too. There was inevitably good and bad in this. Good in that it brought us a much more sophisticated Doblo than businesses had ever had access to before. And bad in that it also brought us the priciest Doblo we'd ever seen here. Diesel and EV versions of this Doblo sold in this form until early 2024, when this design was updated with a facelifted model.

What You Getword count: 324

This Doblo might be a re-badged version of an existing Stellantis Group small LCV design but at least from the front end, it doesn't look it. The nose gives this van its own sense of urban style, with Fiat's retro brand badge where you'd normally expect the grille to be: cooling is taken care of by a large intake lower down. As you'd expect, there are long and short wheelbase van and 5-seater Crew Cab versions. Sadly though, there's no option for the kind of high roof variant that was so useful to operators with the previous generation Doblo Cargo. Inside, the dash and instrument layout is of course as you'll find it with this model's other Stellantis cousins. You'll like the 'Magic Cargo' feature, which on plusher models enables the van to carry up to three people in the front seats or, alternatively, increase the cargo area's length and loading volume. The passenger-side seat can be raised and the compartment underneath used for boxes or fragile items. The dimensions are perfectly in line with the segment, with a length of 4,403mm for the short wheelbase version, ensuring an optimum effective usable length of 1.81m and a 3.3m3 capacity, sufficient to accommodate two Euro pallets. There's the usual sliding side door (you get twin slide-opening side doors on the L2 Maxi version) and with both body styles, there are the usual twin side-hinged rear doors that open to 180 degrees. That long wheelbase L2 Maxi version, which is 4,753mm long, of course provides even greater load capacity - 3.9m3. Even more space can be freed up with the clever 'Magic Cargo' feature which Fiat fitted with the plusher 'Primo' trim level. This uses a folding front passenger bench to add an extra 0.4m3, while also increasing the maximum load length by 1.3m. Payload across the range is up to 1,000kgs. And with the diesel, there's a 1.5-tonne towing capability that's un-bettered in the class.

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