ITALIAN COMPANION (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 41

Buying a van-based small MPV like Fiat's Doblo has always been more about sense than style but the improved post-2015-era second generation version of this Italian five or seven-seat family-sized but still compact people carrier might surprise you with its sophistication.

Modelsword count: 6

MPV (1.6 diesel / 1.4 petrol])

Historyword count: 354

Cars aren't always aspirational. Sometimes, they're simply about getting the job done practically, affordably and efficiently. Van-based MPVs are a good example of this rather refreshingly uncomplicated approach to automotive design - models like this one, Fiat's Doblo. European buyers first saw it at the turn of the century - and a lot of them winced. Like Fiat's original Multipla people carrier, let's politely say that looks were not a strongpoint. 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 and substantially updated early in 2015 to create the improved MK2 model Doblo we're looking at here as a potential used buy. Like all other Doblo MPVs, this post-2015 model was still very much based on a van - Fiat's Doblo Cargo - and as ever, the idea was to make this very affordable 5 or 7-seat family package feel as much like a pricey purpose-designed trendy People Carrier as possible. So there were smoother looks clothing more sophisticated suspension, plus more powerfully efficient engines and a smarter cabin. The overall result still shouted 'sensible' - but didn't say it quite as loudly. Which was important, given the way that back in 2015, this market segment was leaning. Newer compact MPV entrants like the Ford Tourneo Connect models were showing that buyers in this segment were often prepared to sacrifice a touch of practicality if the end result could be slightly less utilitarian. Ideally though, sensibly-minded family buyers wanted both things from a car of this kind - class leading space from a vehicle that wouldn't cause embarrassment on the school run. That's what Fiat tried to deliver here - there was even an SUV-style 'Trekking' variant; plus high-roofed versions of standard models could be had, making this Doblo popular for wheelchair motability conversions. But none of it was quite enough and UK Doblo sales ended in 2019. A third generation Doblo, a shared Stellantis Group design, arrived in 2022, but it wasn't offered to UK buyers in MPV form, only as a van.

What You Getword count: 487

Even the most practical people like to dress smartly, something Fiat's stylists forgot when bringing us the quirky original MK1 version of this car in 2000. Still, they subsequently redeemed themselves somewhat, with proof of that provided by the restyled looks of this much improved post-2015-era version of the second generation design (a car first seen in 2010). Yes, in this post-2105 guise this MPV was still boxy: to be class-leadingly practical, it had to be. But thanks to a more curvaceous shape, complete with a trendy 'floating' roof and a large side glazed area, it was no longer an MPV you'd park up with a twinge of embarrassment. Most of the 2015-era MK2 model updates were to be found at the front, where the design team added distinctive headlamps that sat below a more richly sculpted bonnet and swept into a more boldly-fashioned front grille, complete with its proud, retro-style brand logo. On 5-seater models out back, the boot offers a segment-leading 790-litres. On top of that, the space is pretty flexible too. Take the neat height-adjustable parcel shelf, which unfortunately was originally optional on most models. It can either hide what was 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 if you fold - and maybe also tumble forward - the second row seats, then that same parcel shelf can help you create a completely flat loading area. This can be vast, particularly if you go to the next stage and remove each of the second row seats completely. You'll need to be strong of back and have somewhere to store them but if that's no problem, then you'll end up creating a removal vehicle-style capacity of 3,200-litres. At the wheel, a smart centre console and switchgear shared with other pricier Fiats means that though the emphasis is on tough durability, you don't feel too hard done by. Front seat folk then, are well looked after. But how will the family fare further back? It's space you access via extra-large sliding 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-leadingly long 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. It certainly feels big in the second row - large enough in fact to house more than three rear seats. Fiat's designers thought that too, hence the 'Family Pack' option of a pair of folding occasional-use extra seats that clip into the cargo area and play a big part in creating the thirty potential seating configurations you can potentially have in this car.

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