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The What Van? Road Test: Fiat Professional Ducato (2019)
Date: Friday, January 22, 2021
Operating
The Ducato comes with a three-year/100,000mls warranty with roadside assistance included for the first year.
Service intervals are set at two years/36,000mls; prudent operators will of course ensure their hard-working vans visit a workshop more frequently for interim checks.
We averaged around 35mpg compared with the official Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) figure of 31.4mpg. An Eco button stands ready to hand
to help keep consumption down, and its use does not affect performance too much.
While Fiat Professional’s build quality does not meet the high standards set by rivals such as Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, the Ducato is nevertheless well put together, with no tell-tale squeaks or groans. What’s more, side rubbing strips help protect the bodywork from any minor damage.
Fiat Professional Ducato Van 35 140hp LWB HR Tecnico
Price (ex VAT) £32,605
Price range (ex VAT) £25,655-£40,950
Gross payload 1490kg
Load length 3705mm
Load width (min/max) 1422mm/1870mm
Load bay height 1932mm
Load volume 13.0m3
Loading height 535mm
Rear door aperture 1562mm x 1790mm
Side door aperture 1250mm x 1755mm
Gross vehicle weight 3500kg
Braked trailer towing weight 2250kg
Residual value 15.2%
Cost per mile 61.3p
Engine size/power 2287cc, 140hp @ 3600rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1400rpm
Gearbox 6sp
Fuel economy (combined, WLTP) 31.4mpg
Fuel tank 75 litres
CO2 236g/km
Warranty 3yrs/100,000mls
Service intervals 2yrs/36,000mls
Insurance group 41A
Price as tested £32,605
* after 48 months @ 20,000mls/year - source - KWIKcarcost
Rivals
Ford Transit
Price (ex VAT)£26,725-£42,795
Load volume 9.5-15.1m3
Gross payload 895-2209kg
Engines 105hp, 130hp, 160hp, 170hp, 185hp 2.0 diesel, 130hp 2.0 hybrid diesel
Verdict: We’ll have to wait until spring 2022 – far too long – for the all-electric E-Transit, but at least it is on its way. In the meantime, the rear-wheel drive version of Ford’s big seller is at last available with a 10-speed automatic gearbox with an eye to the needs of the home delivery fleets. Transit remains an industry benchmark, with healthy residual values and the support of a comprehensive dealer network.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Price (ex VAT) £26,550-£52,475
Load volume 7.8-17m3
Gross payload 842-2529kg
Engines 150hp, 170hp 2.0 diesel, 143hp, 163hp 2.1 diesel, 190hp 3.0 diesel, 85kW electric
Verdict: The mainstay of supermarket home delivery operations, and now available in battery-electric eSprinter guise, the durable Sprinter should appeal to businesses that rank safety and connectivity among their priorities. Customers can choose from front, rear or four-wheel-drive configurations, with seven and nine-speed automatic transmissions among the list of options.
Renault Master
Price (ex VAT) £27,800-£61,800
Load volume 8.0-17m3
Gross payload 848-1990kg
Engines 130hp, 135hp, 145hp, 150hp, 180hp 2.3 diesel,
57kW electric
Verdict: 2019 saw the Master receive a makeover, with external restyling, a revamped cab interior, extra safety devices and changes to its 2.3-litre diesel. It rides and handles well, is frugal, and payload capacity is respectable, but build quality needs to be improved. It is marketed by Renault Trucks as well as Renault’s car and van operation, by Vauxhall as the Movano, and by Nissan as the NV400.
The Final Verdict
Design 7/10 – Payload capacity and ease of loading are definite plus-points.
Cabin 6/10 – Plenty of storage space, but the offset steering wheel is a real problem.
Ride 7/10 – Acceptable, but not outstanding. It improves with more weight in the back.
Refinement 7/10 – Well put together, but in-cab noise levels need some attention.
Load area 9/10 – Easy to manoeuvre heavy items onboard and payload capacity is impressive.
Handling/performance 8/10 – Former is exemplary, the latter is well up to standard.
Engine/transmission 7/10 – Former is impressive, the latter less so – gear change could be a lot smoother.
Standard equipment 7/10 – Most creature comforts are provided, but more safety systems would be good.
Operating costs 8/10 – A sensible warranty package, plus long service intervals.
What Van? subjective rating 7/10 – Definitely heading in the right direction, but there is still room for improvement.
Overall Rating: 73/100
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