A STALLWART of the taxi rank and a good all-rounder for anyone seeking more than just a family hatchback, it would be fair to describe Fiat’s previous generation Doblo as one of life’s unsung heroes.

Cruelly described by some as little more than a van with windows, the Doblo offered buyers a low cost motoring experience. Times have changed and consumers want to see the pound in their pocket go further. This second generation Doblo promises to do just that, with the original car’s versatility plus some modern creature comforts thrown into the mix for good measure.

The first thing you notice about this new Doblo is its size. With its high roofline and long flanks, there’s no issue over what has to be left out when packing for the family holiday. In practice, the Doblo’s cabin offers occupants a genuinely spacious seating area.

Longer than its predecessor, much of the added space is in the Doblo’s wheelbase. And it’s because of this that even adults should find the rear seats accommodating. Furthermore, you can specify a third row for added versatility. And when not in use they can be tumbled forward to liberate more room, or removed entirely.

With its focus on space and versatility, it’s easy to forget that cars like the Doblo are expected to drive as well as they look. In a move that will please keen drivers, this latest Doblo borrows a modified version of Fiat’s Punto Evo platform. The result is a more car-like character, and one that also does much to boost refinement and comfort when on the move.

Combined with a range of impressive engines, the Doblo delivers a smooth and composed ride over even the roughest of ‘weather damaged’ road surfaces. As is the case with cars in this class, the driving position is a lofty one. Thanks to all the glass in the cabin, all-round visibility is excellent, while the Doblo’s large mirrors - the only van-related inclusion - provide good coverage for overtaking and reverse parking.

The Doblo could be the best handling car in its class, but without a strong engine line-up it would be all at sea. Thankfully Fiat has delivered the goods, and its petrol and diesel offerings are another reason to take the people carrier seriously.

Offering a trio of engines - two diesel, one petrol - Fiat hopes to have all the bases covered. The entry-level 1.4-litre 95bhp petrol unit promises to be a fine choice for anyone on a budget. Like the diesel variants, it delivers more power yet consumes less fuel than the units it replaces.

Fiat is hoping the vast majority of buyers will sign up to a Doblo powered by its 1.6-litre Multijet diesel unit. In 105bhp guise - that’s more than the 1.9 motor it replaces - this lump delivers ample performance and should prove more than capable of hauling a full house of people and belongings. Key to its attractiveness is the 138g/km CO2 rating and 54.3mpg for the combined economy cycle.

For anyone seeking maximum pulling power, Fiat’s 2.0-litre 135bhp diesel option is likely to prove more than sufficient. Regular motorway mile munchers will like the effortless cruising ability of a suitably equipped Doblo, while running costs remain sensible: 49.6mpg on the combined cycle and a respectable 150g/km CO2 rating.

Along with the encouraging performance and economy numbers, Fiat has decided to treat the Doblo like a regular car when it comes to equipment. You get all the usual safety kit, while there’s a sliding scale of toys depending on trim level.

In real terms there’s everything from electric windows and remote central locking, ESP and a hill holder function to a decent audio unit, air-con and the option of cruise control, sat-nav and Fiat’s clever Blue&Me feature, which adds a clever data logging function for monitoring and sharing fuel consumption data plus the ability to listen to MP3 tracks from a suitable player or USB stick.

Surprise isn’t something you usually associate with a car occupying the lower end of the people carrier market, but in the case of the Doblo it turns in an above average performance, making the whole experience a pleasant surprise. Upright, function over form MPVs like this shouldn’t raise a smile, but this one does.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Fiat Doblo 1.6 16v Multijet 105 Dynamic, from £15,995 on the road.

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo diesel unit developing 105bhp.

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels.

Performance: Maximum speed 102mph, 0-62mph 13.4 seconds.

Economy: 54.3mpg.

CO2 Rating: 138g/km.