Fiat Scudo Review & Buyers Guide

Fiat Scudo Review & Buyers' Guide

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£15,115 – £21,245

Available as	Engine options	Volume (m³)	Payload (kg)	MPG
Van, Crew Van, Minibus, Platform Cab	1.6TD 90hp, 2.0TD 120/136hp	5.0 – 7.0	1,000 – 1,200	TBA

Our Verdict
If you’re after a compact panel van that’s easy to live with then Fiat’s Scudo is worth serious consideration.

With the widely applauded new Doblò Cargo now available, the compact Fiorino winning friends and Ducato and Grande Punto van forming part of the range too, Fiat’s light commercial story is sounding better every day. The Italian giant has set up a dedicated operation to handle its LCV line-up under the Fiat Professional banner and has significantly strengthened its network UK-wide.

Yet another weapon in its van armoury is the Scudo. The result of a long-standing joint venture between Fiat and PSA, Citroën and Peugeot’s parent company, it’s also marketed by Citroën as the Dispatch and Peugeot as the Expert.

Customers can choose from two different wheelbases and three different roof heights. Three load cubes are available — 5.0m³, 6.0m³ or 7.0m³ — while payload capacity runs from 1,000kg to 1,200kg. A sliding door on each side of the cargo body makes loading easier.

Power comes courtesy of a 1.6-litre 90hp/180Nm diesel married to a five-speed manual gearbox or a 2.0-litre diesel generating either 120hp/300Nm or 136hp/320Nm. It is hooked up to a six-speed manual gearbox. ABS is standard as is Emergency Brake Assistance.

A low floor with no step up makes cab access a doddle and the driver’s seat is set at just the right height for anybody who is in and out of the cab all day. The 1.6-litre is fine for pottering around town, but you’ll need the 2.0-litre if you’re on distance work; especially if you’re heavily laden.

Service intervals are set at 18,000 miles and Scudo comes with a remarkably generous three-year/120,000-mile warranty. Don’t forget that it is also marketed as a combi and as an MPV.