A DECADE after going on sale and with over a million models sold, the Fiat Doblo is still regarded first and foremost as a workhorse MPV.

Last year it underwent significant improvements to soften comfort, sharpen style, extend economy, strengthen safety and reduce running costs.

No one will pretend it is a pretty people-mover or a smile-inducing sports utility vehicle, but there is no doubt the Doblo delivers when it comes to all round practicality and purpose and it does a lot of things very well where it matters to many users.

The newest range extends to eight models based on the same square shaped design on a 2.75 meter wheelbase and providing from 790 to 3,200 litres luggage space with up to seven seats available.

Three new petrol and diesel engines are more powerful, economical and cleaner than the previous generation power units and I tested the best selling 1.6 diesel. 

The five-speed 95bhp 1.4 petrol is joined by the 105bhp 1.6 diesel with choice of manual or automatic transmission, and a 135bhp 2.0 diesel with six-speed gearbox.

There are three trim levels, Active, Dynamic and Eleganza and buyers can specify if they want the additional two rearmost seats. Prices go from £12,370 to about £17,145.

Get into the Fiat Doblo and it's like entering a cathedral, airy and a little impersonal, but you soon appreciate everything comes to hand and foot and you find more spaces and compartments than you can hide a priest in.

The big seats are very comfortable with good adjustment range in the front, they fold easily and quickly in the back and you have excellent access with rear sliding doors and probably the biggest fifth door of any people carrier on the market which also opens from knee-height to reveal a flat loadbed and that enormous carrying capacity.

Up front the 1.6 diesel engine was a good starter, pulled well and seemed very flexible even if you had to stir it along when loaded.

I know the official fuel consumption figures suggest the Doblo will return over 54mpg on average but I managed only 42mpg even with the new stop/start engaged and following the suggested change points on the facia dial.

In give and take motoring situations the Doblo covered the ground with ease and composure although it stills rolled around tight corners at speed and wallowed over some sections of road.

It did soak up potholes and bumps very well, which is just as well as our roads steadily deteriorate.

The steering was well geared to turn in town but seemed a little lacking in feel on twisting roads. Brakes were strong and progressive and the handbrake securely held it on a steep test slope.

Secondary controls and instruments were conveniently placed and easy to understand, the air conditioning was efficient, lights bright and wipers cleared the enormous windows without leaving any problem blindspots.

You could hear the suspension coping with the conditions and there was some emanating from the engine but wind noise was surprisingly low.