The 2024 Fiat Ducato: leading from the front, or blending into the crowd?      

LCV facelifts have become about as common as Gen Z and Millennials joining running clubs. Has the Fiat Ducato simply hopped aboard the trend, or is it racing to the front of the pack? 

Since first hitting the scene in 1981, the same year as the first London Marathon, the Fiat Ducato has been a steady competitor in the LCV market. Far from a straggler, previous iterations are frequent visitors atop the podiums at Large Van of the Year awards, setting the pace with their versatility, practicality, and safety.

Ok, enough running puns — so what’s new with the Ducato? Alongside the small Doblo van, and mid-sized Scudo, (as well as more Stellantis LCVs than you can shake a stick at), the Ducato has received a shiny new exterior. In this case we’ve been treated to a pixelated mustache-eque grille; unique, inoffensive, and even a little more traditional looking, for those already tiring of the minimalist design trends sweeping the industry.

A trend which has reached the Ducato however, is the push for electrification which is charging through the commercial van sector. Self-dubbed as “the crown jewel” in Fiat’s latest van range, the electric E-Ducato uses a 110 kwh battery to exactly mirror the Vauxhall Movano’s 261-mile range, and a 150 kw fast-charging time of 0-80% in 55 minutes. Although this adds a commendable 30% of range compared to the previous model, we would question whether this belongs among EV royalty, falling a chunk short of the Renault Master Aerovan's 285-mile range, for example.

Of course, the latest generation of MultiJet Diesel engines are available too, also with an eye on the eco side of things. Whether it’s the 6-speed manual Ducato which comes with either 120, 140, or 180 hp, or the new 8-speed automatic option which is limited to the two upper power levels, fuel consumption and emissions have been cut by 5% from the previous generation. Much of this reduction has come from aerodynamic improvements, so it seems those traditional white-van looks are slippier than they might look.

Boasting a ‘best-in-class’ cargo capacity of up to 17m³, the Ducato equals the likes of the storage space renowned Mercedes Sprinter, and offers a solid payload of 1.5 and 2-tonnes for the electric and diesel versions respectively. However, what gives the Italian van the edge over its competitors here, is the tardis-like effectiveness of its rear vault: offering over 21 cm more capacity space than its rivals of the same external length. This ability to fit more inside, while squeezing into smaller spaces outside, has made it a campervan base model of choice, again going toe-to-toe with the Sprinter.

Okay, fine, all this talk of sprinters has brought us to one last running reference: you can’t hit the trails without the correct footwear. As previous Ducato models, including campervan variants, have been spotted donning Michelin Agilis Camping tyres, we reckon these LCVs will have the right rubber on the ground to comfortably make it over the finishing line.

Ducato’s often drop with more features than a Dr Dre album, and the latest edition is no different. In addition to a myriad of safety tech and the new Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS), which packs in the same level 2 autonomous driving also found on the new Movano, our stomachs have once again been drawn towards a foodie feature. The newest iteration of Fiat’s ‘Eat&Work’ seat bench can be found in the cabin. By folding and rotating, it provides a table platform where laptops, notebooks, and (most importantly) lunch can be sat, as well as pen or cup holders, depending on whether you are in work or refueling mode.

Both the ICE and Electric Ducato models undercut their Movano equivalents by just under £1,000, with the Diesel starting from £31,385, and the E-Ducato touting a 25% price reduction, trimmed down to £45,235. 

So, certainly a lot of changes to keep the Ducato in the same race as its competition, and all while fitting an impressive payload in the back. But have Fiat done enough to overtake their rivals? And would the updates tempt you to pick one up for the working week?