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The What Van? Road Test: Fiat Professional Ducato (2019)
Date: Friday, January 22, 2021
Interior and equipment
The provision of storage facilities in the three-seater cab is little short of excellent – perfect for all the accoutrements drivers often end up carting around with them.
While the glovebox is small and not lockable there are two roomy shelves above it, plus a lidded compartment on top of the dashboard. Sitting next to it are four trays of various sizes. Each of the doors boasts a pair of bins, with the bigger of the two featuring a moulding that can easily clasp a big bottle of water.
Fold the centre section of the middle seat’s back forwards and it turns into a desk with two cup holders, a pen tray and a clip to keep paperwork tidy. Another cup holder sits on the fascia with a 12v power socket next to it.
At the bottom of the dashboard there is a module with a USB socket and two additional trays, plus a couple more cup holders. Although this is a useful feature, it slightly restricts the middle passenger’s legroom.
Our demonstrator’s infotainment package featured a rather-too-small 5in touchscreen, a DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation. Electric windows, heated and electrically-adjustable exterior mirrors, an alarm, cruise control with a variable speed limiter, and a driver’s airbag are also included in the Tecnico deal, as are reversing sensors and manual air conditioning.
The heating and ventilation controls are big and chunky. That is something we would normally welcome, but they also felt stiff and clumsy.
Onboard safety devices include ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Electronic Stability Control and an Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) traction control system, which can be switched off.
We would like to see a more comprehensive safety package, with some of the items referred to in the introduction made standard. Power-assisted rack and pinion steering is fitted and delivers a 14.3m kerb-to-kerb turning circle.
The Ducato’s front suspension is independent, with MacPherson struts and an anti-roll bar, while a rigid tubular axle with parabolic longitudinal leaf springs helps support the rear. Telescopic shock absorbers are deployed all around.
Disc brakes are installed all round as well, and our demonstrator’s 15in wheels were shod with Bridgestone Duravis 215/70 R15C tyres. It’s good to see that a full-size spare is provided.
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