Review: 2015 Fiat Ducato

There's plenty of activity in Australia's large van segment right now and the latest gladiator to enter the fray is Fiat Professional's revised Ducato. Available in three wheelbases, two heights and payloads spanning 1480 to 2110kg, the refreshed Ducato boasts a range of updates and improvements. Powered by Fiat's 180 Multijet engine, good for 130kW/400Nm, the 2015 Fiat Ducato range is priced from $38,000 (plus on-road costs).

The year (2015) is shaping up as a 'battle royale' in Australia's large van market. The next-gen Ford Transit arrived last September and the subject of this review – Fiat Professional's revised Ducato – hit showrooms in December. Iveco's new Daily is also looming, as is Renault's new Master.

Fiat sold 933 examples of its Ducato in 2014 (FCAI data), placing it third in the large van market behind Mercedes-Benz's Sprinter (2736 units) and Renault's Master (1086). Ducato sales dropped 10.1 per cent last year while Sprinter and Master sales grew by 23.5 and 35.1 per cent respectively – something Fiat is hoping to address with its revised offering.

So, what's different?

For starters, there's that restyled front end. With a longer bonnet for easier engine access, higher headlights (now with optional LED daytime running lights) and a new three-part bumper (for cheaper repairs), the new Ducato has a sleeker, more dynamic look.

The cab has been updated, there's a new multimedia system and there's now roll-over mitigation, while Fiat says it's enhanced brake performance, clutch life, and suspension operation. The white paint is also new, and is said to offer greater UV resistance.

The Ducato is available in three wheelbases, four lengths, two heights and two GVMs (3510kg or 4005kg), while payloads range from 1480-2110kg and capacities from 8-18 cubic metres. The van models are complemented by a cab/chassis variant.

All Ducatos are powered by Fiat's Multijet 180 engine – a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel said to produce 130kW at 3500rpm and 400Nm from 1400rpm. That trumps the Ducato's front-drive LCV rivals at present, while Fiat claims a combined fuel economy [Ed: based on European data] from as low as 7.7L/100km.

The short- and medium-wheelbase models get a six-speed manual transmission as standard or there's an optional six-speed 'Comfort-Matic' automated manual. The automated manual transmission (AMT) is standard on the long-wheelbase and extra-long-wheelbase models.

Over the course of a week trucksales.com.au sampled a long-wheelbase (4035mm) Ducato Maxi, the AMT-equipped model sporting a 2110kg payload, the higher of the two roof heights and a 13 cubic-metre capacity.

This model is priced from $48,000 (plus on-roads), with optional DRLs ($500), auto lights/wipers and lane-departure warning ($900) and a reversing camera ($1000) pushing our van to $50,400 (as tested).

There are no A-pillar grab handles to aid entry but the foot-steps are generous and the doors open wide. The new seating has a stain-resistant fabric; it's attractive and looks durable. The driver's seat has six-way adjustment, including lumbar support and an armrest, and the vinyl flooring should stand up to some abuse.

The cab's plastics aren't the most refined we've seen – the air-con controls feel flimsy and the upper door side pockets have sharp edges – but the surfaces themselves appear tough and are easy to clean.

The driver's seat is comfy and its height gives a commanding view, aided by electric split standard/convex mirrors. With the rear barn-style doors and bulkhead the Ducato's rear vision isn't brilliant, but the rear parking sensors are standard and the optional reversing camera delivers a wide-angle view.

The steering wheel is adjustable for reach but, bizarrely, not tilt, and we'd appreciate a roomier footrest.

There are plenty of storage compartments including a massive overhead shelf and a nifty cooled dash-top compartment, but we'd like a concealed hidey-hole within easy reach of the driver to take a wallet, house keys etc. We do appreciate, however, the mobile phone holder with USB charger, along with the clip board/document holder, the fold-out centre-seat workspace and the massive door pockets.

There's no adjustment on the twin passenger seat unit and the under-seat space is taken by the wheel jack. There is a plastic tray under the driver's seat, however.

The new 5.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system has a stereo (AM/FM/CD), media player, trip computer and phone, the latter with Bluetooth connectivity and voice command. It all works well, although the screen isn't huge. There's no sat-nav but there's a 12-volt socket on the centre stack for an aftermarket item.

In addition to providing protection, the standard steel bulkhead (with small sliding window) assists the (effective) air-con and reduces in-cab noise to a thoroughly acceptable level.

While we've voiced a few minor gripes, generally speaking the Ducato cab serves as a comfortable and practical workspace – there are far worse cabs in which a driver could spend a working week.

On the safety side there are driver and passenger airbags, stability control (with antilock brakes, traction control, load adaptive control and roll-over mitigation) and three-point seat belts all round.

The hill-hold feature is standard while the optional lane-departure warning system has one of the most distinctive alarms we've come across – there's no missing it!

Other standard inclusions span cruise control, speed alert and auto speed-limit sign recognition.

Our test vehicle's load bay measures 3705mm long by 1932mm high by 1870mm wide, with 1422mm between its wheel arches. The sliding side door measures 1760mm high by 1250mm wide, while the rear barn-style doors fold out a full 270 degrees, leaving a 1770mm high by 1570mm wide aperture. The rear doors are glazed and feature demisters but no wipers.

There are 10 large tie-down anchor points in the 590mm-high floor and a further five smaller points halfway up the walls. There's plastic protection only for the lower halves of the walls. The two interior lights work well and we couldn't detect any sharp edges to the myriad cut-outs and stamping marks.

Our test van swallowed a one-tonne weight with ease – just under half the van's maximum payload – the van then settling nicely yet still providing good urge off the line, pulling hard from 1500-4000rpm.

Automated manual transmissions aren't to everyone's taste but our test van's shifted smoothly and was easy to use. A choice of auto or sequential operation is available: we toyed with the latter then stuck with the former. Fiat says the AMT can deliver fuel savings of up to five per cent over the standard manual.

Over the course of 500 largely city kilometres our test vehicle returned 9.7L/100km. That's with the test weight in the back for most of the time – not bad going.

The 14.4-metre turning circle seems reasonable for the van's size and the power steering only requires a light touch in tighter confines, but the Ducato's height rules most multi-storey car parks off-limits.

On the whole the Ducato's suspension delivers a decent ride but it's harsh over sharper impacts, loaded or not. In a departure for most LCVs it actually feels significantly firmer at the front rather than the back – a degree of care is required over speed humps, in particular.

Still, the Ducato feels secure through the bends and its steering offers a pleasing degree of feedback at speed. The brakes are effective, providing good power and feel.

Fiat offers the Ducato with a three-year / 200,000km warranty while service intervals are pegged at 48,000km, with oil changes every 24,000km. Fiat doesn't offer a capped-price servicing schedule.

With its new Ducato, Fiat is simply offering front-drive LCV buyers more of what they want: more features, more technology and more practicality, all while maintaining competitive pricing in a fiercely contested market.

trucksales.com.au will wait until a few more refreshed faces reach Australia's large van market in coming months before we conduct a comparison test but, based on this first look, the reputation of Fiat's Ducato looks only set to grow.

Also consider:
>> Ford Transit (from $47,680 plus ORCs)
>> Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (from $44,290 plus ORCs)
>> Renault Master (from $40,490 plus ORCs)