Fiat Fiorino review 2020

Model review

When it comes to a van, you want something that’s as big as possible, right? Well for the most part, probably, but not everyone needs such a big van, which is what lead Fiat to create its Fiorino van.

Revealed in 2007 and arriving in showrooms in 2008, the Fiorino was produced alongside the PSA Group – this Fiat van also being available as the Peugeot Bipper and Citroen Nemo

One of the first vans of its type to offer a similar footprint to a supermini, the Fiorino unsurprisingly isn’t the biggest van in this class. However, it is compact and therefore ideal for urban areas, though still offered a working length of up to 2.5m thanks to a folding passenger seat. 

Latest model

In what must be one of the oldest vehicles on sale in the same form as when it debuted, the Fiorino is still available to buy new – nearly 13 years after first going on sale. 

The only main update came in 2016, when it adopted chunkier styling thanks to a bigger front bumper, with interior changes including a redesigned steering wheel, leather and a five-inch touchscreen being available for the first time. 

And the Fiorino is also the only van of the original trio that remains on sale – the Citroen Nemo and Peugeot Bipper both being axed in 2017 and not replaced. 

Value for money

If you want one of the most affordable vans on sale today, the Fiat Fiorino is ideal. With prices starting from £14,715, it’s certainly cheap, though is overshadowed by the Ford Transit Courier, which is nearly £1,000 less expensive. However, even the top-spec models won’t set you back more than £16,955. 

But it’s even better value if you look at used examples – the cheapest being available for as little as £1,000, or around £3,500 for something with less miles on the clock (70,000, for example). If you’d rather an updated model, a 2016 version can still be had for as little as £6,500, though sizeable savings of up to £4,000 are available on nearly-new models, so it’s well worth shopping around.

Looks and image

Vans are rarely bought for their style, but if you want a funky-looking small commercial vehicle, the Fiorino is quite a good choice - particularly if you go for the facelifted model, which features a chunkier design. While it won’t be winning any design awards any time soon, the compact shape helps to make the Fiorino look a bit different to the rest. You’re also able to choose it in more rugged-looking Adventure trim, which brings the likes of roof bars, along with a more sporty-looking Sportivo trim that gains alloy wheels and red detailing. 

The interior is arguably the Fiorino’s weakest point, with a design that’s really starting to show its age and resembling Fiats of old, rather than the brand’s latest models. That said, it gets a clean and uncluttered design, while higher-spec models benefit from a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The design also feels more like a car than a van, too. 

Behind the wheel the car-like feel also continues, as the Fiorino is very easy to drive, compact and also has a fantastic steering wheel – it truly is a brilliant urban van, it’s just a shame it’s lacking any electrified variant, as this would likely prove popular. 

Space and practicality

At less than four metres long, the Fiorino is a really compact size for a van – being smaller than many superminis like the Ford Fiesta. So, at that size, you can’t expect huge levels of room, but it still offers a decent amount of space. 

Despite its size, you can still squeeze a Euro pallet into the rear, while you still get useful twin doors at the back and proper sliding rear doors on both sides. A 610kg payload should be plenty for light use, while if you don’t tick the option box for a bulkhead, the folding passenger seat means you have a length of up to 2.8m to play with – ideal for long planks of wood, for example. 

Engines

There’s a choice of two small diesel engines available on the Fiorino, with both options using a turbocharged 1.3-litre MutliJet diesel engine that’s appeared in Fiat models for some time.

Available with either 79bhp or 94bhp, neither are brimming with power but are well-suited to a small van like the Fiorino. All versions are front-wheel-drive and use a five-speed manual gearbox. 

Fiat also briefly offered a 76bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine, though we’d recommend just choosing the diesel versions instead. 

Running costs

While the Fiorino’s engines certainly aren’t the newest available, they still remain pretty efficient, even by modern standards. Both models return the same economy and CO2 emissions – Fiat claiming it’ll manage 54.3mpg, with CO2 emissions of 138g/km. It’s not class-leading but should ensure low running costs. Servicing and repairs are likely to be quite inexpensive, too. 

Things to look out for

While Fiat doesn’t have the best of reputations for reliability, there should be few concerns when it comes to the Fiorino, given it uses parts tried-and-tested by the firm for years, while it shares plenty in common with Fiat cars. It’s always proved reliable alongside its Peugeot and Citroen siblings, with the only thing to look out for being wear on the top suspension mounts. 

Rivals

The supermini-sized van class is quite a niche market, so the Fiorino’s closest rivals are its discontinued sibling models – the Citroen Nemo and Peugeot Bipper. The popular Ford Transit Courier is also worth considering, as are car-based vans like the Ford Fiesta Van and Vauxhall Corsa Van. 

Depreciation

With the Fiorino being a niche new van choice and not being especially desirable, it’s a van that takes a large depreciation hit, especially when new. Expect to save at least £4,000 off the price of a pre-registered example, providing you can find one.