Fiat's ugly duckling Doblo has big ideas

For the style-conscious, though, I'm afraid it's the kind of vehicle that only a mother could love.

Logic dictates that square sides and a high roof are the best way of maximising interior space and the Doblo takes this idea and runs with it.

Only by the inclusion of five seats (with the option of seven) does it side-step the van with windows analogy.

A 790-litre boot that can swell to a vast 3,200 litres with some seat folding is the pay-off.

At least the price looks attractive

With prices from £12,295 to £17,145 the quirky Italian MPV looks like something of a multi-talented bargain.

I road tested a Doblo 1.6-litre Multijet in the range-topping Eleganza spec (£16,795) and the practical advantages were clear.

Big, vertical handles of the twin sliding side doors offer great access to the rear quarters and a reinforced parcel shelf offers useful flexibility in the rear load space.

Limited rear leg room and the cheap, fragile feel of the chunky door operation are a disappointment though.

Up front, acres of headroom but a strange seating arrangement fails to make the most of the available space.

The Eleganza's interior is otherwise light and airy and comes specced with a TomTom sat-nav port, a multifunction steering wheel and Fiats Blue&Me telephone connection as standard.

Scratchy interior plastics disappoint...unlike the on-board technology

It also has eco:Drive. Developed by Microsoft, the system gathers information on vehicle efficiency and driving style, and allows the driver to download information via the on-board USB socket to analyse on their home PC.

The Doblo's fuel-saving technologies also include a gear-shift indicator and Stop&Go technology which keep fuel consumption down to 49.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 138g/km.

Eco driving is the best option in the Doblo. Acceleration to 62mph takes a drawn-out 13.2 seconds and the 102mph top speed would take some waiting for.

The Doblo also handles like the lofty car it is, with a propensity to understeer.

Fiat is tops in the Doblo's load-lugging niche

But the Doblo's success in its specific niche is understandable.

For some, that load carrying capability and flexibility in a five, or seven, seat MPV is enough of a lure to overcome those top-heavy looks.

For those who need the Doblo's breadth of ability but find its appearance too much of a hurdle? Well, you could always travel under cover of darkness.