The What Van? Road Test: Fiat Professional Scudo

Date: Friday, September 16, 2022

Rear 3:4

Operating

The Scudo is embraced by a welcome three-year/100,000-mile warranty, with roadside assistance provided for the first year, while service intervals are set at two years/24,000 miles.

Fuel economy? Fiat Professional cites a WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) combined figure of 39.8mpg, which is roughly what we achieved.

Side rubbing strips help protect Scudo from minor damage and both they and the front and rear bumpers and door handles were painted to match the rest of the body.

Our demonstrator was finished in metallic paint, which we are delighted to see is included in the van’s price. Well done Fiat Professional – and it’s also good to see a proper, full-size, steel spare wheel rather than having to rely solely on an inflator/sealer.

A number of Fiat Professional dealers also represent heavy truck manufacturers DAF and Iveco. That means their workshops open early, and shut late - worth knowing if you want your Scudo serviced outside normal working hours.

Fiat Professional Scudo Business 2.0 litre MultiJet 145hp diesel SWB van

Price (ex VAT) £32,480

Price range (ex. VAT) £26,465–£49,120

Gross payload 1,446g

Load length 2,512mm

Load width (min/max) 1258mm/1628mm

Load bay height 1,397mm

Load volume 5.3m³

Loading height 544mm

Rear door aperture 1,282mm x 1,220mm

Side door aperture 935mm x 1,241mm

Gross vehicle weight 3,100kg

Braked trailer towing weight 2,500kg

Residual value 23.2%*

Cost per mile 44.8p

Engine size/power 1,997cc, 145hp @ 3,750rpm

Torque 340Nm @ 2,000rpm

Gearbox 6sp

Fuel economy 39.8mpg (WLTP)

Fuel tank 70 litres

CO2 185g/km (WLTP)

Warranty 3yrs/100,000 miles

Service intervals 2yrs/24,000 miles

Insurance group 39

Price as tested £32,680

* after 48 months/20,000 miles p.a – source – KWIKcarcost

Options

Premium interior pack £200

Rivals

Ford Transit Custom

Price (ex VAT) £28,145-£57,955

Load volume 6.0-8.3m³

Gross payload 686-1,459kg

Engines 105hp, 130hp, 170hp 2.0 diesel

Verdict: Transit Custom is astonishingly successful, and it is not hard to see why. Its handling, ride and overall performance are all top-notch, it invariably holds its value on the second-hand market, there are Ford dealers everywhere and independent garages should have no trouble servicing what has become a best-seller. Check out the exciting MS-RT version and the plug-in hybrid, and don’t forget that an electric model will debut next year as part of a new Custom line-up.

Renault Trafic

Price (ex VAT) £27,450-£39,650

Load volume 5.8-8.9m³

Gross payload 935-1,251kg

Engines 110hp, l30hp, 150hp, 170hp 2.0 diesel

Verdict: One of Trafic’s big plus-points is the availability of the Efficient Dual Clutch automated gearbox; an exemplary transmission that is undoubtedly worth sampling, and one we much prefer to the vehicle’s manual transmission. Trafic is also marketed by Nissan as the Primastar and by Renault Trucks, an entity completely separate from Renault’s car and van operation. Go to Renault Trucks if you want your Trafic serviced overnight. An electric model should arrive in 2023.

Volkswagen Transporter

Price (ex VAT) £26,500-£51,530

Load volume 5.8-9.3cu/m

Gross payload 747-1,278kg

Engines 110hp, 150hp, 204hp 2.0 diesel

Verdict: With a stress on safety, an impressive diesel engine, a slick gear-change and un-matched build quality, Transporter ticks a lot of boxes. If it’s style and excitement you are looking for then get behind the wheel of the Sportline variant. Let’s hope that VW and Ford’s joint-venture agreement, which among other things means that the next Ford Transit Custom will be the template for the next Transporter, will not diminish the advantages of an excellent product.

The Final Verdict

Design 7/10 – Attractive-looking light commercial vehicle with useful practical features.

Cabin 6/10 – Not a three-seater cab. Disliked the offset steering wheel, liked the middle seat/desk

Ride 7/10 – Slightly choppy when unladen but smooth enough under normal working conditions

Refinement 7/10 – In-cab noise levels too high, more sound deadening needed, though it is solidly-built

Load area 9/10 – Sliding doors and space for longer items. Impressive payload and towing capacities

Handling/performance 7/10 – Former is great and comparable with competitors. Latter a little unsatisfying though

Engine/transmission 6/10 – Former didn’t deliver what we expected, latter rough at times

Standard equipment 7/10 – Plenty of in-cab kit but more safety systems required to put on a par with VW

Operating costs 7/10 – Respectable warranty, sensible service intervals, and reasonably fuel-frugal.

What Van? subjective rating 7/10 – Still a competent package with plenty to commend it, and availability of an electric version is a definite plus, but otherwise lags behind Ford’s Transit Custom

Overall Rating = 70/100

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