Fiat Ducato dimensions (2011-on)
Looking for information about the size and carrying capacity of the Fiat Ducato van on sale since 2011? Then you’ve come to the right place, as we’ve got all the info you need about payload, load area and towing capacity right here on this page.
This generation of Ducato was updated in 2014, 2019, 2021 and most recently in 2024. There have been various combinations of body length and height available over the years, and payload came down a little when an AdBlue system was added in 2019. But it remains one of the most capacious and capable choices in the large van class.
For more on how the Ducato drives, what the cab is like and how it stacks up for value, check out our main review.
The latest 2025 Fiat Ducato panel van is available in three body lengths and three heights – a total of six combinations. Load volumes range from 10 to 17 cubic metres. Payloads are extremely high, ranging from 1,235kg to 2,050kg. Light and heavy-duty Maxi versions are available, the latter with gross vehicle weights of 3,500kg or 4,250kg.
Alongside the basic panel van, Fiat offers a range of other bodystyles including window vans, people carriers, dropsides, single- and double-cab chassis, cowls and flatbeds. The Ducato is a big favourite for camper van and motorhome conversions, as well.
We’re going to look in detail at the panel van here. Every version comes with a fixed steel bulkhead, you can have windows in the rear doors if you want but, since you can’t see out of them, we can’t really see the point.
Fiat Ducato load area and accessories
If you need more payload, the bulkhead can be replaced with a metal frame protecting the driver, with potentially severe safety implications. The load area has an interior light, the floor and walls have assorted lashing points for securing loads. The floor can be lined with plywood, the walls can be lined with plastic to half or full height.
The rear doors open to 270 degrees, and retractable side steps are available for both the side and rear doors, reducing step-in height. The side door is wide enough to load a Euro pallet through. Accessories include roof racks and rear-mounted ladders.
| Light | Maxi | |
| Gross vehicle weight (kg) | 3,500 | 3,500/4,250 |
| Payload (kg) | 1,365-1,500kg | 1,235/2,050 |
Fiat Ducato payload and gross vehicle weight
The Ducato is available in Light and Maxi versions. In previous iterations, a large range of gross vehicle weights was offered but, in the latest 2025 version, the choice has been cut back to just two. Light models have a GVW of 3,500kg; Maxi models are available in 3,500kg or 4,250kg form.
Only a couple of Maxi models have payload ratings of slightly over 2,000kg with the 4,250kg GVW – the highest GVW of any front-wheel drive van. Driving a vehicle at that weight requires an upgraded driving licence if you passed your test after 1 January 1997. If you’re restricted to a 3,500kg GVW vehicle, the highest payload available in the Ducato is 1,500kg in the smallest, lightest L2H1 body.
Fiat Ducato towing capacity
The Ducato’s braked towing capacity ranges from 2,250kg to 3,000kg, depending on model. The unbraked towing capacity is 750kg – the legal limit without brakes.
|
L2 |
L3 H2/H3 |
L4 H2/H3 |
|
| Overall length (mm) | 5,413 | 5,998 | 6,363 |
| Overall height (mm) | 2,254/2,522 | 2,522/2,760 | 2,522/2,760 |
| Maximum load length (mm) | 3,120 | 3,705 | 4,070 |
| Maximum load height (mm) | 1,662/1,932 | 1,932/2,172 | 1,932/2,172 |
| Maximum load width (mm) | 1870 | 1870 | 1870 |
| Width between wheelarches (mm) | 1,422 | 1,422 | 1,422 |
| Load volume (cu. m) | 10.0/11.5 | 13.0/15.0 | 15.0/17.0 |
| Sill height unladen (mm) | 565 | 565 | 565 |
| Rear door opening width (mm) | 1,562 | 1,562 | 1,562 |
| Rear door opening height (mm) | 1,520/1,790 | 1,790/2,030 | 1,790/2,030 |
| Side door opening width (mm) | 1,250 | 1,250 | 1,250 |
| Side door opening height (mm) | 1,480/1,755 | 1,755 | 1,755 |
The at-a-glance info is that the Ducato can carry between 800kg and 2,100kg maximum payload, depending on version - and in fact, on later models the minimum payload is closer to around 1,000kg.
If you got some heavy stuff to shift, this is an ace choice of large van.
Fiat Ducato payload and gross vehicle weight
The Ducato comes in light duty and maxi duty variants, with light models available in a choice of 3,000kg (3.0 tonnes), 3,300kg (3.3t) and 3,500kg (3.5t) gross vehicle weights (GVW).
Maxi models are offered in 3,500kg, 4,005kg (4.0t) and 4,250kg (4.2t) GVWs.
Exactly what's available with each panel van body size is described below.
The top payload ratings of over two tonnes apply only to the highest gross vehcle weight (GVW) models, which are now rated to 4,250kg - the greatest of any front-wheel drive van.
If limited to vans you can drive on a regular car licence, 3.5t is the highest GVW allowed - and with a payload rating of up to 1,655kg available before the MY20 update, the Ducato has long been the top of the class.
After the MY20 update, the Ducato's ultimate 3.5t payload has fallen slightly, to a maximum of 1.605kg.
This is partly due to the addition of an AdBlue tank and other technical changes needed to meet the latest emissions standards (adding around 40kg to the van's kerbweight), but also due to Fiat discontinuing the lighter 2.0-litre engine in favour of an all-2.3-litre line-up.
Fiat Ducato Euro 6 (2016-2019) payload ratings:
| Fiat Ducato panel van | 3000 Wheelbase | 3450 Wheelbase | 4035 Wheelbase | 4035XL Wheelbase |
| GVW light (kg) | 3,000, 3,300, 3,500 | 3,300, 3,500 | 3,500 | |
| GVW maxi (kg) | 3,500, 4,005 | 3,500, 4,005, 4,250 | ||
| Payload light (kg) | 955-1,655 | 1,050-1,615 | 1,115-1,540 | 1,065-1,495 |
| Payload maxi (kg) | 1,575-2,060 | 1,150-1,995 | 1,075-2,190 | 1,385-2,145 |
Fiat Ducato MY20 Euro 6D Temp (July 2019 on) payload ratings:
| Fiat Ducato panel van | 3000 Wheelbase | 3450 Wheelbase | 4035 Wheelbase | 4035XL Wheelbase |
| GVW light (kg) | 3,000, 3,300, 3,500 | 3,500 | n/a | |
| GVW maxi (kg) | n/a | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,500, 4,005, 4,250 |
| Payload light (kg) | 1,075-1,605 | 1,340-1,565 | 1,450-1,490 | n/a |
| Payload maxi (kg) | n/a | 1,485-1,525 | 1,410-1,450 | 1,360-2,095 |
You'll also note that the range has been slimmed down for the launch of MY20. If any of the other variants return, we will update this info.
>> Best large 3.5t vans for payload
Fiat Ducato towing capacity
The Ducato's maximum braked towing capacity is 2,500kg or 3,000kg, depending on version.
Unbraked it's 750kg.
Fiat Ducato - 2019 MY20 update, front view, side door being loaded by forklift truck
Fiat Ducato - 2019 MY20 update, load area viewed through rear doors with 500kg payload
Fiat Ducato - 2019 MY20 update, front view, side door opening close up with 500kg payload
