Fiat Scudo (2022) test drive: The fifth element

The new Fiat Scudo is available from €26,550 excluding VAT in diesel and €35,750 excluding VAT in 100% electric.

Completed the Talento with Renault. Fiat Professional returns to the mid-size van market with the Scudo, the fifth clone built on the basis of the K0 van produced in Sevelnord at the Stellantis factory.

Fiat has long been an industrial partner of PSA for the development of its medium and heavy utility vehicles. It is through industrial agreements between the Italian giant and PSA that the compact Jumpy, Expert and Scudo were born, as well as the large Jumper, Boxer and Ducato. After years of good weather, time has fallen between the two groups. The divorce was even consummated with regard to medium utilities, Fiat having appealed to the enemy of always, Renault, to give birth to its Talento.

scudo-style 2022 — The 2022 Scudo sports a large grille, in the center of which stand the four huge FIAT letters as a logo.

But now the Stellantis group was born, from the merger between PSA and Fiat. Logically, the group’s productions are rationalized, and so the Scudo is making a comeback. It is the fifth model from PSA’s K0 project after the Citroën Jumpy, Opel Vivaro, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace. It is therefore more a palace revolution than a market upheaval. Be careful, however, not to underestimate the great qualities of this model, whatever the brand considered. Externally, the Fiat Scudo is characterized by its large grille in the center of which sit, in very large, the letters of the mark. Gone is the discreet little logo; Fiat thus intends to assert its place in the compact van market.

Price Fiat Scudo 2022

The range of the Scudo is logically modeled on that of the other brands offering the K0. In a van, the vehicle is available in a single height and three lengths : L1 (Compact), L2 (Standard) and L3 (Maxi). The first is 4609mm in length, the second 4950mm and the largest 5310mm. These different models thus offer a useful volume of 4.6, 5.3 and 6.1 m³ without the “Magic Cargo” modular partition system, which allows long objects to be loaded through the partition wall. Count 5.1, 5.8 and 6.6 m³ with. In addition to the panel van versions, the Scudo is available in crew cab and floor cab for adaptation of bodywork.

useful volumes fiat scudo — The useful volumes of the Scudo van are 4.6 m3 on the Compact version, 5.3 m3 on the Standard version and 6.4 m3 on the Maxi version.

In terms of engines, the utility is available with four diesel engines (1.5 of 100 and 120 hp, 2.0 of 145 and 180 hp), in addition to the 100% electric E-Scudo. The latter uses the 100 kW (136 hp) engine present on many models of the Stellantis group and associated with two battery packs of 50 or 75 kWh. The WLTP ranges are between 231 and 329 km. As standard, the vehicle is equipped with a single-phase charger with a power of 7.4 kW, but an 11 kW three-phase charger is also available as an option. With 100kW DC fast charging, 80% power can be recovered in 30 minutes. The van comes in two trim levels (Business and Pro Lounge). As for the prices, they start at €26,550 excluding VAT for the 100 hp diesel and at €35,750 excluding VAT for the electric version with 50 kWh battery (see all prices on page 2).

Driving

Fifth model based on the same base, the Fiat Scudo no longer surprises. Fortunately, he can count on the many qualities of the K0, a well-born and proven model. If hard plastic reigns on board, the occupants drive in very good conditions since the van provides them with welcoming seats, a multitude of storage spaces and ergonomic controls. The driver benefits from numerous settings for his seat and the steering column, adjustable in height and depth. Everyone can find a comfortable driving position.

Forward vision is very good. Only the amounts of windshield, a little too thick, can interfere with three quarters. From the first turns of the wheel, the Fiat Scudo asserts itself as comfortable. Its suspensions make it possible to effectively erase the defects of the roadway, both empty and loaded. Road holding is exemplary, whatever the version and engine selected. Globally, driving pleasure is worthy of a car, and the silence on board is excellent. This is of course even more true in the 100% electric version. The occupants of the E-Scudo then become fully aware of the surrounding sounds and rolling noises. The installation of the batteries in the floor, synonymous with a lower center of gravity, makes driving the vehicle even more pleasant, as we had already observed during the Peugeot e-Expert test.

new fiat scudo — The Fiat Scudo offers driving pleasure worthy of a saloon.

On the engine side, it is better to avoid the 1.5 diesel of 100 hp with limited capacities and which is only justified in the context of purely urban use. The 120 and 145 hp diesel versions are the most versatile. They combine performance, high driving pleasure and reasonable fuel consumption. Note that the 2.0 Multijet 145 version can be combined with the excellent eight-speed automatic gearbox, which pushes comfort and driving pleasure even further. A crew to favor in the context of intensive use under heavy load or for long road journeys.

For its part, the E-Scudo has nothing to be ashamed of in terms of performance : its 136 hp, but above all the large and immediately available torque make it possible to distill a very nice driving pleasure. Limited to 130 km/h peak, it gets there quickly and can face the highway without worry. Beware, however, of autonomy, which then decreases very quickly. In town, its preferred field of action, the electric van works wonders, and its energy recovery system (with Brake mode at the level of the gearbox control) is quite easy to use.

On board

interior fiat scudo 2022 — The dashboard of the Scudo is identical, except for the logos, to that of its close cousins of the Stellantis group.

fiat scudo 2022 price — The central seat of the passenger bench incorporates this location designed to accommodate notepads and tablets.

fiat scudo 2022 stellantis — A large storage compartment is concealed under the seat of the passenger bench seat, which folds forwards.

Magic Cargo fiat Scudo modular bulkhead — The “Magic Cargo” modular partition allows the carriage of long loads, up to more than 4 m.

Competetion

In this category of compact vans, the offer is extremely wide. However, facing the Scudo available in diesel and 100% electric, the competition is less. Of course, the Fiat will have to do with the other K0 models: Citroën Jumpy, Opel Vivaro, Peugeot Expert and Toyota Proace. Same qualities and defects, same performance but with some nuances in the standard equipment which explain the price differences in the catalog.

The Fiat Scudo will also find the Mercedes Vito and e-Vito on its way, the latter having just evolved by adopting a new higher capacity battery, synonymous with improved autonomy. Last competitor: the Volkswagen Transporter with its electric variant developed by ABT. It will be necessary to wait until the end of 2023 to see the new generation of Transporter appear, also available at Ford with the new Transit Custom. These models will also be offered in a 100% electric version.

Discover the results of the test, the technical sheet and the prices on the following page.