WE TESTED THE DOBLO AT THE SAME TIME as a BMW318i saloon; talk about chalk and cheese! The Doblo looks like a van with windows, has precious little street cred, yet friends will sidle up and ask if you would mind moving their chest of drawers. Then afterwards, they’ll start eulogising about the comfort of the seats, the marvellous view out and how quiet it is.
With our test car’s Punto petrol engine, it’s an exceptionally smooth performer, but even when the car’s unladen, its acceleration is really leisurely – and it used more fuel than the BMW! Hope is at hand in the guise of a modern 100bhp diesel; we hope it remains refined – not just faster.
The Doblo uses crude leaf-spring rear suspension, but the seats, front and rear, are so supportive (with vast amounts of space) that passenger comfort is never seriously ruffled.
The steering is Alfa-quick responsive and really too light for keen drivers – but then, they won’t be expecting excitement, will they? Cross-winds disturb its line, but the steering makes it easier to catch and correct.
The driving position has generous adjustments, including twin cushion-height levers; headroom is vast.
The nicely carpeted rear load deck is lower than most, and there’s no sill, either. Seat folding is straightforward, but the seats don’t have any MPV-style musical-chairs tricks; even a split rear seat and proper tailgate are SX extras.
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AT A GLANCE
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considering size, price and rivals
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Controls/displays
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Handling/steering
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Comfort
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Overtaking Ability
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Fuel Economy
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Space/practicality
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Security,
theft of
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theft from
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LIKES ...
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- thick, soft carpet on rear floor
- therapeutic driving seat support
- "see-me-home" headlamps
- sliding doors ideal in cramped parking
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and GRIPES
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- obstructive screen pillars/headrests
- paint easily chipped
- SX doors not suited to right-hand drive
- silent indicators don't always cancel
- painted rear wheel arches
- no heating to rear footwells
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VERDICT
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The only sensible way to buy a Doblo is cheaply. The main reason we say this is because of the costlier Multipla, which is a more sophisticated yet more compact alternative for buyers who desire practicality more than image. What the Doblo can offer is shear space, with surprising civility at a keen price. Perhaps the Doblo plus the BMW make the ideal combination of opposites for your average two-car household.
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Car Test
