Overview
The Fiat Ducato is a staple of the large van class that has been going strong for 40 years. It’s a big seller for Fiat in Europe, and the firm has now launched the eighth-generation model for 2022. As well as a new face with new Fiat badging on the nose, the new Ducato benefits from cutting-edge technology, including city braking, adaptive cruise control and lane assist.
Also new is a revised 2.2 Mulitjet diesel. This is more efficient than ever, with fuel savings of up to seven per cent over the outgoing diesel, while four power outputs are available. As before, there are a wide variety of body styles also on offer, with a panel van that comes in four lengths and three roof heights, plus passenger versions and chassis cabs ready for conversion. The latter is vital for the Ducato, since it’s a popular choice for camper van conversions.
Range
The four engines on offer in the Fiat Ducato make 120hp, 140hp, 160hp and 180hp respectively. All four come with fuel-saving stop-start, while the the three more powerful engines are also available with an automatic gearbox. This is a brand-new nine-speed unit that’s sourced from leading gearbox maker ZF, and includes different modes that are designed to deliver power, economy, or a balance between the two.
The panel van version of the Ducato is offered in four wheelbases and three roof heights are also offered, and there are cargo volumes ranging from 8-17 cubic metres on offer. This is among the best in the class, thanks to the Ducato having a more cab-forward design than some rivals. Full-height doors at the back mean that the maximum height of the van’s interior can be taken advantage of.
If a panel van doesn’t suit, then the Ducato chassis cab offered a wide range of conversion options. Here there are four lengths on offer, and Fiat has a range of recommended outfitters available to tailor a work vehicle for your needs. There are also off-the-shelf tipper and dropside models available.
Interior
The update to the Ducato focused largely on efficiency and driver comfort. The result is that there new seat trims, an improved multifunction steering wheel, extra storage and upgrades to the infotainment. While the Ducato can be had in a basic spec, there are plenty of upmarket options offered, too. Wireless phone charging, an electric parking brake (replacing the floor-mounted one to the right of the driver’s seat) and a 10-inch touchscreen system are all available, as are fully digital dials.
It makes the Ducato feel a lot more upmarket - which will be a boon to buyers of camper vans based on this new model - although some of the van’s shortcomings remain. While the three-abreast seating has plenty of room, the van’s cab-forward design does feel a little awkward. The seats feel as if they’re tipping you forwards, and oyu sit high in relation to the dashboard. This gives a good view out, although thick A-pillars and frames for the quarterlight windows do restrict visibility. At least the wide-angle mirrors give a good view rearwards, although Fiat does offer rear parking sensors and cameras to help you manoeuvre.
Driving Experience
Our first drive was of the 140hp diesel with the manual gearbox, and overall it was an impressive performance on a mix of urban and country roads. While the van was unladen, performance was strong from a standstill, with plenty of pulling power on tap. The gearbox proved to be positive, so it was always easy to keep the engine in the power band.
The cab-forward driving position takes a bit of getting used to. It feels like you’re tipping out of the seats, and there’s no way to get them any lower. Short seat bases contribute to this feeling, too. However, after an hour and a half at the wheel, it wasn’t uncomfortable. The other issue we found was poor visibility at T-junctions. The thick A-pillars are directly in your line of sight, while the door windows have thick frames, too, so you need to move your position to be able to see properly.
Alternatives
The leading lights in the large van class include the Ford Transit and VW Crafter. The former sells in big numbers and is offered in a variety of body styles, while the latter brings car-like tech to the table. The Mercedes Sprinter is another tech-packed machine, while the Citroen Relay, Peugeot Boxer and Opel Movano are three vans that are closely related to the Ducato.
Summary
The Fiat Ducato is a strong challenger in the large van class. It offers a wide range of body styles and conversion options, a wide range of engines and some interesting new tech that introduces car-like tech to the large van class. Overall it keeps the Ducato competitive in the sector.