Fiat Ducato Van Review

The Ducato at a glance

Fiat first released the Ducato in 1981 and ever since then the van has been a big hit in Europe. The latest model (the series 8) has seen a variety of editions with facelifts and spec upgrades in 2011, 2014, 2019 and 2022. The 2022 variant, like many of its predecessors, comes with an amazing choice of options, ranging from a classic Luton design to tippers and dropsides.

The huge variety seen on the Ducato means that, over the years, the van has been popular with many different users. One particular area where it shines bright is the campervan market. In fact, it’s one of the most common motorhome bases in Europe with almost two-thirds of conversions using the van.

The Ducato’s price varies much more than perhaps you’re used to with vans on the market these days, as the huge list of variations leads to many different pricing possibilities. However, the van would usually cost you between £33,000 and £50,000 depending on the number of upgrades and premium features you chose to include.

Engines and Spec

One of the real standouts of the new Ducato is its all-new 2.2-litre engine that replaces the old 2.3-litre models. Despite the new engine’s smaller size the torque and horsepower remains identical to the 2019 version. Producing either 120, 140, or 160 bhp this new edition to the Ducato is certainly one to turn the heads of rival van owners, like the Mercedes Sprinter or Volkswagen Crafter.

What’s more these new engines come with the added option of a 9-speed gearbox on all but the entry-level model. For those of you who spend a few hours every day on your morning and evening commutes, this might be a game changer. A nine-speed gearbox will produce a far smoother ride and can even reduce your fuel consumption.

As with many of the larger vans on the market, the one area where you might struggle is the fuel consumption. Though unfortunately, this is something that comes part and parcel with big payload vehicles. Large engines are a necessity to produce the amount of talk needed to power these heavy beasts. The Ducato then is fairly competitive when put alongside its other large van rivals. The 140 bhp model claims to return 34 mpg. In comparison, the Volkswagen crafter can manage 38.2 mpg and the Mercedes Sprinter claims 36.2 mpg.

Interior

One of the biggest criticisms of the older Ducato generations was their interiors. Many buyers thought the inside lacked the modern touch that many of its rivals had. The 2022 Ducato changes all of that with a long-awaited facelift. Every model aside from the base variant comes with an all-new 7.0-inch display screen which features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Not only this but all of the new models have air conditioning.

So, we’ve now come to the real showstopper of the Fiat Ducato. The payload dwarfs almost all of its competitors making it one of the most capable vans on the market today. Whether you’re a tradesman who often needs to transport heavy loads to site or someone looking to convert a van to a camper it’s all possible with the Ducato. The van’s maximum payload tops out at just over 1600 kilograms which shadows the Crafter’s 1531kg and the Sprinter’s 1462kg.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Exceptional payload
• Huge variety
• Brilliant gearbox

Cons

• Fairly poor ride
• High-quality interiors are optional
• Engines can be loud

The Verdict

The Ducato is one of the most popular vans in Europe for a reason. It’s reliable, great to drive and extremely capable. When you factor in all this with the huge amount of options available it’s easy to see why they’re so loved. The fact is if you need a van which can handle a lot of weight and withstand the day-to-day beatings of labour work you need not look much further than the Ducato. The van isn’t all about payload though. The engines are renowned for their reliability and the gearbox makes the Ducato’s large size feel far smaller when you’re on the road.

Whether you’re a tradesman, run a delivery firm, or want to convert a van into a camper, the Ducato is a steadfast option. If this sounds like the van for you and you want a quick chat with an expert don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!