FIAT DOBLO 1.9 Multijet Dynamic 5dr [120] (2005)

The Fiat Doblo - Like driving a big box

For getting the kids about the Fiat Doblo is the most practical thing around. We had a look at some other people carriers but the Doblo just won us over by being so tall, and so utterly enormous inside. I mean let's face it, it's basically a van in disguise, and to that end it's not particularly luxurious or pretty, inside or out, but for that you get so much practicality. And also it's not at all uncomfy to drive, it's lovely and smooth even when it's full of people and their stuff.

It's been reliable for us so far, although there's been a recurrent belt adjuster problem, and some wear on the tyres which has had a bit of an uneven pattern. We got the balancing done but it hasn't completely stopped. This hasn't been a major hassle though.

Back to how practical the Fiat Doblo is. Sliding doors are a god send when you're trying to get three kids into it in a busy car park, and the third row of seats fold down easy enough to give a big boot space. We often use the third row to separate the kids if they're rowing, although that does pretty much cut out the boot space.

The Doblo doesn't use too much petrol, gets about mid 40s MPG I reckon, and the visibility all round is just unbeatable. It's a big glass cube, can't fail to see what's going on. The van background is obvious with all the clever spaces there are dotted about, although they can look a little bit industrial! All in all the Fiat Doblo isn't really a car for a poser, just a great practical family car.