There has never been quite so much choice in the van market, as manufacturers continually search for the last niche that might net a few more sales. This has however lead to a slight blurring of the lines between sectors, with vans like Fiat’s Doblo Cargo capable of carrying a full 1.0-tonne payload, as much as its larger Scudo stablemate.
Until now, the two have however been separated by physical size. Yes you might carry as much weight in a Doblo, but maximum load volume was capped at 4.2m3 in the long wheelbase Maxi version.
Now that too has changed, as Fiat Professional is offering a high-roof version of its long wheelbase model, called the Doblo Cargo XL. The XL provides a 5.0m3 load volume, with that 1,000kg payload, yet retains the car-like driving position and driveline.
You can’t get the Doblo’s smallest 1.3-litre engine in the XL, but there is still a choice of a 1.6-litre diesel with 105hp, the 1.6-litre at 90hp with the automated manual gearbox, or the range-topping 2.0-litre engine offering 125hp.
We’ve opted for what will be the most popular combination, the 1.6-litre manual, offering 105hp and 290Nm of torque. This delivers a combined fuel figure of 49.6mpg and a CO2 level of 158g/km.
This excellent motor is mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox, making the Doblo a very relaxing drive, even at higher motorway speeds. A full height steel bulkhead and the standard internal cab roof make it easy to forget how big the load area behind you is. Climb in the back and there is a practical storage box above the cab area.
Talking of that working end, you get twin rear doors and two side loading doors with the XL, making it easy to access the load bay. Being front wheel drive and thanks in part to clever bi-link rear suspension, the load floor is also just 545mm from the ground, contributing to safe loading and unloading of heavier objects.
That suspension also plays a part in a comfortable ride, soaking up the worst of the bumps with ease. The Doblo retains sharp handling however, and is easy to place on the road. Even at this size and weight however, ESP stability control remains an option (£375) on the Doblo Cargo.
In the cab it’s the usual Fiat fare, which is no bad thing. The van comes in standard and SX trims, SX adding £600 to the purchase price, along with remote central locking, electric heated door mirrors with body coloured mirror housings, fog lights, a single passenger seat with underseat storage, bulkhead soundproofing, a height adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and a PVC load area lining.
Our van also came with a host of options, including climate control (£795), ESP (£375), cruise control (£135), Start/Stop (£225) and reverse parking sensors (£185).
While the Doblo Cargo XL won’t appeal to everyone, those looking to downsize their vans without losing too much in payload or loadspace, will find much to like in the Fiat. Certainly the XL puts the Doblo in a niche sector all on its own.
Verdict
Fiat stretches the boundaries of the small van sector but pulls it off, creating a car-like driving experience with the payload and loadspace of a van in the class above.
Specifications
MODEL Fiat Doblo Cargo XL SX
BASIC PRICE £16,465
ENGINE 4-cyl/1,598cc
FUEL INJECTION Common-rail
POWER 104hp @ 4,000rpm
TORQUE 290Nm @ 1,500rpm
Weights
GVW 2,460kg
KERB WEIGHT 1,460kg
PAYLOAD 1,000kg
MAX TRAILER WEIGHT 1,300kg
Dimensions
LOAD SPACE LENGTH 2,170mm
LOAD SPACE WIDTH 1,714mm
LOAD SPACE HEIGHT 1,550mm
LOAD HEIGHT (unladen) 545mm
LOAD VOLUME 5.0m3
Cost considerations
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 60 litres
COMBINED MPG & CO2 49.6mpg /158g/km
OIL CHANGE 2 yr/21,000 miles
WARRANTY 3 yr/unlimited miles