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By Andy Enright

Introductionword count: 143

You don't need me to tell you that the world was a very different place in 2001, when the Fiat Doblo first went on sale in the UK. It hitched a ride on the back of a formula that had been pioneered by the French, with rivals like the Citroën Berlingo Multispace and the Renault Kangoo showing that there was a latent demand for cheap, spacious family transport. Many thought this was a bit of a phase, a genre of vehicle that would rapidly be replaced by something a bit less van-like. Sure enough, this type of vehicle has become a bit slicker, largely because vans have become correspondingly smarter, safer and better to drive. For proof of that, you've only to look at the car we profile here, the second generation Fiat Doblo, built in its original form between 2010 and 2014.

Modelsword count: 12

5dr van-based MPV (1.4 petrol 1.6, 2.0 diesel [Active, Dynamic, MyLife, Eleganza])

Historyword count: 188

It's fair to say that the original first generation Doblo was no looker. Like Fiat's original Multipla people carrier, let's politely say that a certain elegance of bearing wasn't its strong point. But the Italians learn quickly. A smarter 2004 facelift was followed by a completely revised and in its own way rather smartly dressed second generation version, launched in 2010. Fiat says that just 3% of this car's parts were shared with its predecessor, so it's a very different Doblo. And though they still based this model on an original van design - that of their Doblo Cargo model - the idea was to make this very affordable 5 or 7-seat family package feel as much like one of those pricey purpose-designed trendy mini-MPVs as possible. So buyers got smoother looks clothing sophisticated suspension, more powerfully efficient engines and a smarter cabin. The overall result still clearly says 'sensible' - but it doesn't say it quite as loudly. Fiat must have been quite happy with what they built because between this model launching and its replacement being announced in early 2015, not a single change was made.

What You Getword count: 415

The 137mm-longer second generation Doblo is still boxy but with a more curvaceous look, with a 'floating roof' and large side glazed area. At the front, there are large, enveloping headlights, a deep front grille and a curvaceous bonnet to give a more muscular appearance. At the side, there are even blacked-out pillars to create the 'floating roof' effect we've seen on many much trendier cars. But it's still square and van-like at heart, which is something families will appreciate once inside. This was, after all, one of the very largest models of its era in the compact van-based MPV segment, with a larger footprint than most family hatchbacks, so it's no surprise then that the cabin is huge for the class. Rear passengers enter in by sliding side doors, so there's no need to worry about the kids denting adjacent cars as they spring out when you're tightly parked at the supermarket. Once inside, a class-leading 2.75m wheelbase means that there's space for three adults in the back for short-to-medium journeys (provided they're on reasonably friendly terms) and their headgear can be as elaborate as the lofty roofline will allow. Look around you and there's some evidence of Fiat's desire to make this more than just a glorified van. You don't normally get proper electric windows on sliding doors on vehicles of this type for example, but these features could be fitted here. And the boot? Well on 5-seater models, there's a segment-leading 790-litres on offer - much more than, say, a rival Citroen Berlingo Multispace - and the space is pretty flexible too. Go for the extra cost Family Pack and a Doblo can house two extra chairs for occasional use, creating in this vehicle one of the most affordable 7-seater MPVs on the market. But even if you simply use the space for luggage, it's impressively versatile. Take the neat height-adjustable parcel shelf. It can either hide what's in the luggage compartment in the usual way, or be dropped to a lowered position. In this mode, it's capable of supporting up to 70kg (so the family dog doesn't need to be lumped in with your shopping and graze through it happily all the way home) and can combine with folded rear seats to provide a perfectly flat load area. Plus that load area is pretty big. All the seats in rows two and three tumble and fold or can be removed altogether. If you do that, there's an enormous 3200-litres on offer.

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