Fiat Fiorino (08 on) - Review

The Fiat Fiorino is a small but versatile van that is perfectly suited to working in towns and cities. It's the sister van to the Peugeot Bipper and Citroen Nemo - the three look almost identical in fact. It's strength is manoeuvrability - at under four metres long it can squeeze into small spaces, helped by a tight turning circle. That's not to say it isn't practical though - a Euro pallet can fit between the wheel-arches (with a couple of centimetres to spare each side) and it can be chosen with one or two sliding side doors. The diesel is the main choice and it's impressively refined, nippy and capable of 63mpg. A great choice for small businesses who need a cheap to run and reliable van it's also available as a Combi version which can carry up to five people.

Cabin quality is good and the Fiat's interior feels well finished and strongly constructed. The majority of switches and controls are borrowed from Fiat passenger cars such as the Panda and Grande Punto, so there's a quality feel as a result. The stereo is very easy to use with large buttons and the ventilation dials are straightforward too. It's very car-like in fact and thanks to plenty of adjustment in both the seat and steering wheel, finding a good driving position is simple. There are 12 open and enclosed storage compartments including a document shelf, door pockets designed to hold a one litre drinks bottle and even laptop computer storage. Usefully Bluetooth is available too (as an optional extra).

Fiat has worked hard to minimise noise and vibration in the cabin and the Fiorino certainly feels well built with decent noise insulation at lower speeds. It can be a little raucous at higher speeds though and isn't a very comfortable choice if you regularly tackle motorways. But it handles well in corners and feels safe, even if the steering is on the light side. It's great in town too with good visibility and a small turning circle making slotting into tight spaces easy. There are two engines available, but it's the 1.3-litre Multijet diesel rather than the 1.4-litre petrol that most people choose. The diesel is surprisingly swift and will happily keep up with fast flowing motorway traffic, despite its modest 75bhp. A Fiorino Adventure model is also available which comes with raised suspension, mud flaps, side body protection and hardwearing interior upholstery.