Fiat Doblo (2001 – 2009) Review
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Fiat Doblo (2001 – 2009) At A Glance
Utilitarian looking. Bigger than Berlingo. Available with seven seats. Best with 1.3 Multijet diesel. Handles decently.
Problems with turbos of 1.9 diesels.
Peculiar looking contraption, the Doblo. Deliberately styled to look utilitarian, almost like a pastiche of a 1930's hotel bus. The kind of car you could bump in a carpark with an even chance of it ending up looking better.
So no worries about the odd scratch, then. And the big advantage of the ‘Family' versions tested here is that they're the cheapest 7-seaters you can buy (in the UK, at least).
Reviews for Fiat Doblo (2001 – 2009)'s top 3 rivals
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Fiat Doblo (2001 – 2009) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.3 MultiJet to 1.9 MultiJet 120
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 30–60 mpg
You can now get the Doblo Family with a 105PS version of Fiat's venerable 1.9 litre JTD diesel engine, and that's the version I drove first.
Disconcertingly, it didn't drive or handle anything like as well as I remember a 1.2 petrol engined Doblo a few years ago. The steering seemed over-light. The centre of gravity felt too high one-up. And it really didn't want to be hustled. I don't know what it would be like seven-up with a top box of luggage on top. The extra weight might stabilise it. But on the other hand, it might not.
On, then, to the original version of the Doblo Family, fitted with Fiat's useful little 70PS 1.3 litre Multijet diesel, now adopted by Vauxhall for the Corsa and even the Tigra.
Within a few hundred metres it was easy to see why. This Doblo has real character and is great fun to hustle along. It turns flatter, the engine revs sweetly all the way to 5,000rpm, even the steering has more feel. But, of course, I was driving one-up. Quite what it would be like with a family of junk food lovers on board is another matter entirely.
Doblo Family 1.3 Multijets list at just £10,595 on the road. 1.9 diesels are a very reasonable £11,195. While, if you don't need 7 seats, a 5-seater 1.3 Multijet is just £9,785.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 MultiJet | 54 mpg | 16.4 s | 137 g/km |
| 1.4 | 38 mpg | 17.0 s | 174 g/km |
| 1.9 MultiJet 105 | 49 mpg | 13.3 s | 153 g/km |
| 1.9 MultiJet 120 | 46 mpg | 12.2 s | 160 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Fiat Doblo (2001 – 2009)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
95%
Real MPG
30–60 mpg
MPGs submitted
82
Fiat Doblo (2001 – 2009) interior
- Boot space is 750 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4253 mm |
| Width | 1722 mm |
| Height | 1818 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2583 mm |
The back seats are held in place by big locks at the tops, so there's no fiddling around at floor level to try to fold them. The centre outside pair are the neatest folding for rear seat access that I've ever folded. The side doors slide, like a Berlingo's. Unlike some bigger MPVs, there's bags of headroom for everyone to wear hats. And, if that isn't enough, Fiat even does a raised roof version for an extra £705.
The rearmost seat is a bit of a clunky old thing and doesn't fold out of the way to leave bags of room for bags. If you want serious space in the back you have to get some help and lift it out completely. But at least all of the seats are proper seats. Not the world's most comfortable in which to travel any distance. But real seats with real head and legroom for seven.
Fiat Doblo (2001 – 2009) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4253 mm |
| Width | 1722 mm |
| Height | 1818 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2583 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1230–1430 kg |
| Boot Space | 750 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 12000 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £11,800–£14,150 |
| Insurance Groups | 8–15 |
| Road Tax Bands | E–H |
| Official MPG | 38.2–54.3 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 3 |
| Child | 3 |
| Pedestrian | 1 |
| Overall | - |
| People Carrier | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.3 16v MultiJet Active 5dr | £12,800 | 54.3 mpg | 16.4 s |
| 1.3 16v MultiJet Family 5dr | £13,550 | 54.3 mpg | 16.4 s |
| 1.3 MultiJet Dynamic 5dr | £13,675 | 54.3 mpg | 16.4 s |
| 1.4 8v Active 5dr | £11,800 | 38.2 mpg | 17.0 s |
| 1.4 8v Dynamic 5dr | £12,475 | 38.2 mpg | 17.0 s |
| 1.9 MultiJet 105 Active 5dr | £12,900 | 48.7 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.9 MultiJet 105 Dynamic 5dr | £13,775 | 48.7 mpg | 13.3 s |
| 1.9 MultiJet 120 Active 5dr | £13,200 | 46.3 mpg | 12.2 s |
| 1.9 MultiJet 120 Dynamic 5dr | £14,075 | 46.3 mpg | 12.2 s |
| 1.9 MultiJet 120 Family 5dr | £14,150 | 46.3 mpg | 12.2 s |
Model History
March 2001
Utility estate designed to look like one. Boot space floor to parcel shelf is a huge 750 litres and folding the back seats releases a cavernous 3,000 litres (200 litres more than the Berlingo and 400 litres more than the Kangoo).
Relatively compact at 4,160mm long, 1,710mm wide and 1,800mm high (13ft 8ins x 5ft 7ins x 5ft 10ins).
Power steering with just 2.2 turns lock to lock and a tight turning circle of 10.5 metres help make manoeuvring stress free. 700mm (27.5 inch) wide sliding rear side doors and high rear seats make it easier for the elderly or disabled to get in and out. At 1,245mm (4ft 1ins) high and 1,231mm (4ft 0.5ins) wide the rear door aperture is also bigger than the Berlingo, Partner and Kangoo. The rear load sill is just 21 inches from the ground.
Engine choice of a 65bhp 1,242cc petrol which delivers 75lb ft (102Nm) torque at 3,500rpm or a 63bhp 1,910cc IDI diesel which churns out 87lb ft (118Nm) torque at 2,500rpm. The petrol model has a top speed of 88mph, gets to sixty in 17.5 seconds, emits 183g/km CO2 (£140pa VED) and manages a combined consumption of 36.7mpg. Original diesel also does 88mph, but takes about 19.5 seconds to get to sixty, emits 191g/km CO2 (£160pa VED) and squeezes 39.2 miles out of a gallon on the combined cycle.
Air-conditioning (optional on SX, standard on ELX) increases the CO2 output of the diesel to 204g/km. Remote central locking, height-adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable drivers seat with adjustable lumbar support, dash-mounted gear stick, two dashboard accessory power points, driver and passenger airbags are standard on all models. ELX models have five three-point seatbelts, alloy wheels and air conditioning. Air-conditioning optional on the SX at £651, and ABS with EBD are optional extras on both models at £564. Prices are: 1.2 petrol SX: £8,694.65; 1.9D diesel SX: £8,949,65; 1.9 diesel ELX: £9,995.
February 2002
Uprated diesel announced February 2002 with 1.9 litre JTD common rail injected engine developing 100bhp and 201Nm (148 lb ft) torque at 1,500rpm. This gets to 60mph in just over 12 seconds, goes on to 104mph and emits 168g/km CO2, which pulls it back to the £150pa VED bracket. Combined fuel consumption is 44.1mpg. Load capacity remains a class leading 3.2 to 3.8 cubic metres, payload weight is 625kg and for an extra £176.25 payload weight can be increased to 850kg.
Prices start at £9,585 for the SX, rising to £10,629 for the ELX which has body coloured bumpers and a lifting tailgate instead of twin rear doors. Prices for 1.2 litre petrol engined Doblo utilities start at £8,695. A long list of optional extra includes air conditioning at £651, ABS at £564 and reverse parking sensors at £117.50. Curiously, Doblo Cargo vans are much more expensive, ranging from £10,074 for the 1.2 petrol to £11,895 for the SX JTD, though VAT on these is usually reclaimable by VAT registered businesses.
April 2004
Revised range from April 2004 with improved interiors, upgraded specs, two new engines, and the introduction of a new 7 seater Family version: the cheapest new 7-seater MPV on the market.
May 2004
From May 2004, 1.3 litre 16-valve 70 bhp MultiJet turbodiesel. 2004 Doblo features a two-tone, black over light blue dashboard, a choice of four new cloth trims, and four new exterior colours - Sky Blue, Astro Blue, Opal Green and New Black - plus a full-height tailgate fitted as standard across the range.
Standard equipment upgraded for 2004. In addition to an existing specification which includes electric front windows, remote central locking, driver and passenger airbags, a height adjustable driver's seat and armrest, and a stereo radio/cassette, Active versions now benefit from a 60:40 split/folding rear seat, a third rear seatbelt and three rear head restraints.
Family versions boast the same standard specification as Active models, with the addition of two extra seats, ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, front foglights, and colour coded bumpers and rear door pillars. Over and above the Active specification, Dynamic models now feature air conditioning, a stereo radio/CD player with 6 speakers, 14" alloy wheels, front foglights, and colour coded bumpers and rear door pillars.
Options list includes a high roof version, glazed double rear doors, front seat side airbags, heated electric door mirrors, a reverse parking sensor, ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, air conditioning, a radio/CD player and CONNECT Nav + - Fiat Auto's unique communications system which is the most advanced infotelematic package on the market.
CONNECT Nav + is an on-line system that connects the driver to an extensive range of services via either manual control or voice commands. At the heart of the system is a live telephone connection to a contact centre manned by operators who, through automatic vehicle recognition, will speak the language of the country in which the car is registered. Operators will give the driver information on traffic and weather conditions en route, can find a bank, book a hotel or recommend a restaurant, and will even book airline tickets on request. If necessary, they will guide a driver step by step to a destination, send out a recovery vehicle, or jog the memory over diary appointments or anniversaries.
Information on a requested destination is transmitted by the operator to the Doblò's CONNECT Nav + system and displayed in the form of an icon on the screen. This information may then be opened, stored in the unit's directory, or entered directly into the satellite navigation system for immediate guidance.CONNECT Nav + features: A 192x80 pixel LCD graphic display. It includes an RDS radio with CD and MP3 music file playing functions, a trip computer, Dual Band GSM phone with handsfree operation and WAP Internet access, GPS independent navigation using pictograms and an SOS button linked to the Contact Centre for receiving information and assistance. It comes with a wide, 7", full colour active matrix display screen, and offers a map navigation system, atlas function and voice activated commands for the telephone and a voice memo.
2004 Fiat Doblò model range and pricing:
- 1.2 8v Active: £9095
- 1.2 8v Dynamic: £9995
- 1.3 MultiJet Active: £9795
- 1.3 MultiJet Family 7 seater: £10,595
- 1.9 JTD Active: £10,395
- 1.9 JTD Dynamic: £11,295
What to watch out for
Failed turbos on 1.9 Multijet diesels very common.
Blocked particulate filters on 1.9 Multijets. Don't seem to get hot enough to self-clean if driven at low revs all the time.
On all except 1.3 Multijet, timing belts, tensioners and pulleys need replacing every 36k - 40k miles. Also need new waterpumps because pumps are driven by timing belts and if they fail the belt gets flung off.
1.9 diesels can be good to drive, but give a lot of problems:
Failed inlet manifold swirl flaps (and the flaps can beak and be ingested by the engine).
Failed EGRs (£350)
Choked DPFs (£1,300)
Failed timing belts, often because the waterpump seized. Belt, tensioner, pulleys and waterpump need replacing every 40,000 miles. More info about 1.9CDTI timing belt failures here: 1.9CDTI Timing Belt Failures
Failed oil pumps.
Failed alternators (see below).
Failed dual mass flywheels.
Failed turbos.
ECU seems to be vulnerable to moisture ingress leading to severe running problems.
20-06-2011:Oil cooler of 1,248cc diesel is integral with oil filter mount, using engine coolant to cool the oil and these sometimes fail. Check header tank for any sign of oil in it.
09-01-2014:Timing chain of 2007 Doblo 1,252cc Multijet snapped, luckily without valeve and piston damage and injection pump failed at the same time. Four figure bill.
