Fiat Doblo Estate 2001 - Present

The Doblo isn't going to win any style awards, but that's not what it sets out to do. It looks somewhere between a Hearse and the A-team van, and is almost as practical as the two combined. It's viewed as something that can be used for both work and home, but is more likely to favour the day job. Comfortable and with excellent space for people, objects or both, it performs with the willingness of a work van, but unfortunately with the fun of one too.

There is no escaping the sheer size of the Doblo as you approach it parked on a leafy street. In red it undoubtedly looks like a post van while in black like a souped up Hearse. The slightly muscular front end is fitting only for one engine option and then only just. The 1.9 JTD diesel unit is a decent engine and has enough guile and muscle to cope with the size of the Doblo. It offers adequate performance and good pull throughout the rev range. Most of the other engines are not really up to the job of driving such a big vehicle. The entry level 1.2 8V option is sluggish and constantly feels out of it's depth. Not everyone wants to drive round like Sterling Moss but constant downshifts at the merest hint of an incline make driving a tiresome experience. The lack of power through the range is a bugbear as it makes driving a frantic experience, having to constantly work the engine and run through the gearbox.

Inside the Doblo is it's greatest asset. There's plenty of room and the seats are good for folding and stowing away. The large amounts of glass make the cabin feel light and airy and mean that visibility is good no matter where you are sitting. You make want to think twice about stacking it too full of either people or furniture unless you have the 1.9JTD unit as the others struggle under load.

The Doblo is an unashamed combination of family and working motor. It's functionally put together but reasonably finished. The shame with it is that there are not more decent engines available, and people who try to make savings by going for the smaller engines will likely be disappointed every time they buckle up.

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