Fiat Scudo Van Review

Our Review of the Fiat Scudo

The Fiat Scudo L1 Diesel 10Q 1.6 is a commercial vehicle which is considerably larger than its predecessor. Subsequently, the Fiat scudoL1 is in direct competition with the likes of VW Transporters and Vauxhall Vivaros, and to Fiat's credit, it has many good design features which have been well thought out and implemented.

The load space and loading capabilities are a good example of this. It can carry payload of 1000kg, and has a load clearance height of less than half a metre at 490mm, which makes it a leader among its class in this respect. Door wise, the van's rear doors match the full height of the van, and the Fiat Scudo offers sliding doors on either side which open wide enough to accommodate a pallet. As the van features a loading width between the wheel arches of 1,245 mm the Fiat Scudo is probably the best small panel van to accommodate larger loads. The load volume of the L1 is 5m3.

The Fiat Scudo offers the driver a lower seating arrangement than any of its contemporaries. This makes getting in and out of it straight forward, and layout wise offers the driver the essentials without going overboard. Narrow door pockets, a large driver side pot, glove box an overhead shelf complete the storage, though the latter involves feeling about for items that maybe there and needed without being able to see them. The entry level model comes with a CD stereo to alleviate the boredom. The commercial vans feature remote locking and a height adjustable seat.

The Scudo's road handling is a tribute to its design. ABS and EBD are standard, and the suspension is more than capable of negotiating bumps and lumps in the road. Cornering is particularly impressive given the high sides of the vehicle, and steering on the L1 is reasonably light and adjustable.

Though some may not be enthused with a 1.6 litre engine the 90bhp has an impressive 180Nm torque rating. As it is a smaller van than its main competitors it is arguably more suited to negotiating narrow streets around town than long hauls. This does make it suited to light multi-drop work given its manoeuvrability and slightly less payload than Vivaros and Transporters.

For the Fiat Scudo to succeed for Fiat it has to compete with VW's Transporter range and Vauxhall's Vivaro vans, which have the advantage of being established and popular. Where the Fiat Scudo offers something unique lies in the van's loading features and economical 1.6 engine, which will suit the driver that requires less payload weight and something that can negotiate crowded city streets.