New Fiat E-Scudo review

The Fiat E-Scudo is one of those badge-engineered van models you've probably seen out of the road but mistaken for something else.

You see, Fiat's medium electric van is almost identical to several other Stellantis models you'll likely be more familiar with, including the big-selling Vauxhall Vivaro Electric.

To help it stand out a bit more, Fiat has given the E-Scudo a mid-life facelift, slapping a bold new FIAT badge on the front and reshaping the nose. There are also changes to the bumper and headlights, but it’s not groundbreaking stuff and doesn’t add a great deal of excitement to the package. It’s neat but forgettable.

Relying on less is more in this vehicle class is a dangerous game because there’s so much capable competition among medium vans that run on battery power.

They include three more Stellantis-built models, the Citroën ë-Dispatch, Peugeot e-Expert and (through a licensing agreement) the Toyota Proace Electric. Then there's the Ford E-Transit Custom, the Maxus eDeliver 7, the electric Volkswagen Transporter – the list goes on.

Is the Fiat E-Scudo a worthy rival? Read on to find out...

Read more: How we test vans

There are no complicated choices to make when it comes to the Fiat E-Scudo "engine range" – there's just one version. It combines a 134bhp electric motor with a 75kWh battery pack.

Under WLTP testing conditions, the van achieves an official range of 219 miles, which is right in the middle of the mix of rivals. Real-world results will differ – anything from bad weather to heavy payloads will eat into the available range – it’s a good guide for comparison, but the devil is in the detail.

The E-Scudo theoretically goes further than a Ford E-Transit Custom (204 miles), the Ford has a smaller 64kWh battery, so on paper it's more efficient. A Maxus eDeliver 7 promises 230 miles from its 88kWh battery (less efficient), and the most efficient of the bunch – the Renault Trafic E-Tech – will cover 186 miles from just 52kWh of battery.

Driving the E-Scudo for the first time, you might be surprised that it feels a little sluggish. It’s not a fault – Fiat limits power to 107bhp by default. Despite the limit, performance is perfectly acceptable, even when carrying 250kg in the back as we were.

You can make things even more frugal by switching to Eco mode using a rocker switch by the gear selector. It cuts power to 79bhp and reduces the use of air-conditioning and other energy-sapping systems. You’ll go further, but it’s tiresome and frustrating.

You can fix that by switching to Power and unleashing all 134bhp, but don’t expect sports car performance – it’ll still take 14.3 seconds to hit 62mph, even when empty.

Instant torque from the drive motor makes urban driving effortless, even when it's loaded up. There’s 192lb-ft available, which is sufficient, if not over generous.

As with most electric vans you can adjust the strength of the regenerative braking from a default to a stronger level, but there's no one-pedal driving mode.

The E-Scudo isn’t exciting to drive but it is sure-footed and competent on the road, thanks to sharing much of its underpinnings with some Stellantis cars, including the Citroën C4 and Vauxhall Astra.

Handling is drama-free, the ride is comfortable and neither firm nor bouncy, and the steering is light but positive. It’s fine, with little to complain about, but equally there’s nothing to elicit any praise. Ultimately, that’s probably a good thing.

There’s a "sporty" version in much of Europe, but given the low sales of the Scudo in the UK, we’re not getting that one. It’s much the same as the Vauxhall Vivaro GS and Peugeot Expert Sport models, so you have alternatives if you want them.

“I like the option of switching between driving modes to improve efficiency or performance, but don't expect breathtaking acceleration on any E-Scudo.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Fiat has splashed out on revising the E-Scudo's interior, and the new dashboard is a clear improvement over what went before.

You get a 10in infotainment touchscreen (with sat-nav included on top-spec Primo trim) plus a neat digital driver's display providing all the usual necessary information. A gauge tells you how much energy is being used at any point, which is handy for spotting when you’re wasting battery power.

Fiat's updates haven’t addressed the E-Scudo’s size though. It feels more cramped than other medium vans and with three adults on board it’s bordering on claustrophobic.

The fact that the original platform was designed for a car rather than a commercial vehicle might have something to do with that, but some rivals do better – the Ford E-Transit Custom feels particularly spacious in comparison.

For the centre passenger in the E-Scudo things aren’t helped by an intrusion from the dashboard where some variant might have a gearstick. It's redundant, but would presumably cost far too much to reengineer. A conflict with knees is on the cards.

Storage is a little on the mean side, with precious few places for the driver to store essentials. The door bins in particular are quite small.

Materials in the cab feel tough and built to withstand the kind of wear and tear van interiors inevitably face. However, the squared-off steering wheel and angular design give the E-Scudo's cabin a slightly utilitarian feel. It's not as inviting as the E-Transit Custom or Renault Trafic E-Tech.

One long-standing issue remains unresolved: the driving position. Like many others, I find the offset alignment of the seat, pedals and steering wheel awkward. It’s not a big deal on short trips, but over longer distances it forces your body into a subtle twist that can lead to discomfort or even aches after a while.

“The Primo spec E-Scudo gets a boosted equipment list, including practical touches, safety kit and styling upgrades. It’s the one I'd go for.” – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

The Fiat E-Scudo, like its Stellantis siblings, fits the typical mould of a medium van in both dimensions and payload. It’s available in two body lengths, simply called L1 and L2, with a single roof height, offering floor-level load lengths of 2512mm and 2862mm.

With the load-through flap fitted to the top-spec Primo model, that extends to 3674mm or 4024mm, depending on the version – enough for some downpipes or skirting boards to pop through into the cab.

Those lengths translate into load volumes of 5.3 and 6.1m³, which are competitive, though not class-leading. The Ford E-Transit Custom offers slightly more space at 5.8 and 6.8m³, with a high-roof option on the way to boost practicality further.

Access to the E-Scudo's load bay is straightforward, with twin rear doors and sliding side doors on both sides – an advantage over the E-Transit Custom, which only gets one side door. The rear doors open to 180 degrees for easy forklift loading, and the XL model can comfortably accommodate up to three Euro pallets.

Payload is an area where the E-Scudo is beginning to lag. With a maximum of 1001kg across the regular panel van range, it’s respectable, but the E-Transit Custom offers around 50kg more, and the Renault Trafic E-Tech pushes things further still with a 1,222kg limit.

If you’re towing, the E-Scudo manages a useful 1,000kg – better than the Trafic E-Tech but still well behind the 2,300kg offered by Ford’s medium electric van.

“If you're likely to be carrying bigger loads, I'd look beyond the E-Scudo and its Stellantis siblings to the more practical Ford E-Transit Custom and Renault Trafic E-Tech." – Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

Running costs for the Fiat E-Scudo are likely to be competitive, not just within the Stellantis family, but also against the Ford E-Transit Custom, Maxus eDeliver 7 and Renault Trafic E-Tech. Upfront purchase prices sit comfortably in the same ballpark as most mainstream alternatives, with only marginal differences between them.

However, when it comes to leasing deals for the E-Scudo, costs are likely to be a bit higher than for rival electric vans because of Fiat's weaker resale values in the UK.

Servicing is required every two years or 25,000 miles following an initial check-up at 12 months. Fiat gives you a standard three-year or 100,000-mile warranty, which includes roadside assistance. That’s in line with most competitors except Ford, which lags behind with a 60,000-mile limit on the E-Transit Custom’s cover.

If the E-Scudo is the van for you, we’d urge you to also look at the Toyota Proace Electric. It’s an identical van, sharing the same chassis, motor, battery and more, but comes with Toyota’s Relax warranty, which can be extended up to 10 years.

The E-Scudo's maximum charging rate of 100kW means it can potentially get from 5% to 80% in around 45 minutes. That’s faster than the Trafic E-Tech, which is limited to 50kW, but not as quick as the E-Transit Custom (125kW). If you charge your E-Scudo using a standard home EV charger, a full charge from empty takes about 11.5 hours.

“If the E-Scudo suits your needs, I'd urge your to do your homework before committing because near-identical vans are available on cheaper leasing deals or with a much better warranty." –  Phil Huff, Van Reviewer

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