Fiat Doblo 1.4 16V Mylife 5dr -
Van-based MPVs aren't the most glamorous vehicles around but Fiat's Doblo gets the job done. Steve Walker reports.
Fiat Doblo 1.4 16V Mylife 5dr - Preview
Practicality is high on the agenda for every mainstream family car but they all temper their approach to some degree. Huge cabin and boot space combined with maximum affordability, could be achieved in a wheeled box powered by a lawnmower engine but it would be a dismal thing to drive and own, not to mention terminally embarrassing to be seen in. Realistically, even the most utilitarian models need to be vaguely competent as all-rounders and Fiat has designed its latest Doblo MPV along these lines.
Fiat Doblo 1.4 16V Mylife 5dr - Ten Second Review
With it's commercial vehicle origins, the Fiat Doblo was always going to be a utilitarian type of MPV but there's nothing wrong with that. A huge interior and the option of seven seats make ensure there's a lot of practicality for the money and Fiat has included some choice technological features, making the Doblo more advanced than you might think.
Fiat Doblo 1.4 16V Mylife 5dr - Background
The Doblo is based on a van and that should tell you much of what you need to know about its place in the market. As well as making Doblo look like a perfectly sensible name, rival models like the Renault Kangoo, Citroen Berlingo Multispace and Peugeot Partner Tepee offer no-frills practicality at prices that attract families on tight budgets.
This is Fiat's second attempt to make headway in the van-based MPV sector after the first generation Doblo failed to live up to its potential in the UK, hindered by its somewhat gawky looks. It served as proof positive that raw practicality isn't enough and today's car, with underpinnings from the latest Doblo Cargo van, is improved in most areas.
Fiat Doblo 1.4 16V Mylife 5dr - Driving Experience
The Fiat Multijet diesel engines are a perfect fit in a vehicle of the Doblo's ilk and it's these that form the mainstay of the range. The weedy petrol and diesel engines that saw the previous generation Doblo's 0-60mph times extend up towards the 20s barrier have been axed. Now there are 105bhp 1.6-litre and 135bhp 2.0-litre Multijet diesel units as well as an entry-level 1.4-litre 16-valve petrol with 95bhp. No Doblo is what you would call quick but performance promises to be energetic enough for the kind of use to which the car will be put and the diesel engines should have the muscle to cope with the big payloads that the car is likely to be tasked with.
The petrol unit takes 15.4s to reach 62mph from a standing start and with the 1.6 diesel managing a 13.4s time and the strong 2.0-litre taking 11.3s. More relevant is the torque that's available and 320Nm from 1,500rpm underlines the strength of the range-topping unit. Also having a major impact on how the Doblo drives will be its surprisingly advanced suspension system. Unlike other van-based MPVs and the majority of models in the wider small car market, the Fiat has independent suspension at the rear as well as the front. It's a feature normally reserved for far more expensive vehicles and promises to bring a greater level of finesse to the Doblo's handling.
Fiat Doblo 1.4 16V Mylife 5dr - Design and Build
The commercial vehicle origins of the Doblo are clear to see but the boxy dimensions that are essential in a decent van pay dividends by giving the car version a similarly vast carrying capacity. It's never going to be the most stylish thing on the road but blacked-out pillars create the 'floating roof' effect we've seen on many modern passenger cars while the large headlights and a deep grille add impact to the Doblo's front end.
At 4,390mm long and 1,789mm wide, the Doblo is up with the largest models in the van-based MPV class and has a larger footprint than most family hatchbacks. It's no surprise then that the cabin is huge with masses of headroom and an enormous boot. In the five-seat model, there's a 790-litre boot capacity but many customers will choose the family pack which adds two extra seats and turns the Doblo into one of the most affordable seven-seat vehicles around. Fold all the seats down and there's room for 3,200 litres of cargo which will be more than enough for most.
Fiat Doblo 1.4 16V Mylife 5dr - Market and Model
Fiat's usual trim levels crop up again on the Doblo with customers invited to choose from Active, Dynamic and Eleganza models. There's a big premium of close to £3,000 to be paid to get a diesel engine and many buyers will be tempted by the attractively priced entry-level 1.4 petrol models. In Active trim they still come with ESP stability control, a Hill Holder function, front and side airbags, electric front windows, a CD stereo, remote central locking and body-coloured wing mirrors.
As well as the trim level options, Fiat also offers the Family Pack which turns the Doblo into a seven-seater with roof rails, alloy wheels and front fog lights. The Blue & Sound Pack, meanwhile, includes an MP3 compatible stereo, Bluetooth connectivity and TomTom satellite navigation. There's a five-speed manual gearbox for the petrol Doblos and six-speed units for the diesels.
Fiat Doblo 1.4 16V Mylife 5dr - Cost of Ownership
Every Doblo comes with Fiat's Start&Stop technology and an optimum gear change indicator to help owners get the maximum fuel economy. The official figures don't make stunning reading initially but you have to remember how much the Doblo can carry. On the combined cycle, the 1.4-litre engine returns 39mpg with the 1.6-litre Multijet offering 54mpg and the 2.0-litre Multijet coming in with 50mpg. CO2 emissions are 166g/km, 138g/km and 150g/km for the three models respectively.
Fiat Doblo 1.4 16V Mylife 5dr - Summary
There's very little beating about the bush where the Fiat Doblo is concerned. The vehicle puts its commercial vehicle roots to work in offering buyers big practicality for an encouragingly small price. Inevitably, it's steady rather than stylish and the impressive diesel engines come at quite a premium over the adequate petrol unit but there's loads of room inside and a refreshing honesty about the way it goes about its business.