Iveco Daily van review

Choice. Iveco Daily buyers get a lot of that. And it’s not just this-or-that sort of choice either – it’s more of a pick and mix range of models, sizes and options. Indeed, if you click on the Iveco Daily configurator, the first screen tells you there are 226 models available, and you might want to think about narrowing down your search a bit.

It’s certainly comprehensive, if a little daunting, and none of Iveco’s rivals can offer that kind of variety. As with most large vans diesel is the primary fuel source, and the Daily engine range offers everything from 114bhp up to 204bhp. There’s also an electrically powered model – to read about that, see our Iveco eDaily review.

Iveco Daily panel van variants range from 3.5 tonnes to 7.0 tonnes gross weight, and you can also have it a chassis-cab for bespoke bodywork, as a crew van with space for seven people, or as a minibus. 

Need to go a little bit off the beaten track? That’s no worry for the Daily driver if they opt for one of the four-wheel-drive models. They’re offered with single or twin rear wheels, and with locking front, centre and rear differentials.

Basically, they have everything it needs to keep moving over rough terrain. However, this vast array of choice is just as well because the Daily faces a diverse army of rivals, including the Citröen Relay, the Ford Transit, the Vauxhall Movano and the VW Crafter.

Over the next few pages, we’ll help you to decide whether or not the Iveco Daily should be on your shortlist. We’ll tell you exactly how it stacks up for load carrying, performance, interior quality and how useable it is day to day – and more besides.

Read more: How we test vans

The Iveco Daily offers a choice of 2.3-litre or 3.0-litre diesel engines, both of which meet the Euro-6D emissions regulations. Power ranges from 116bhp to 210bhp, with up to 347lb ft of torque. There’s also the option of a 3.0-litre compressed natural gas (CNG) engine, producing 136bhp and 258lb ft. 

The 2.3-litre diesel engine is our favourite – Iveco offers it in 116bhp, 136bhp and 156bhp forms. The entry-level 116bhp version is certainly adequate, but its peak torque arrives a lot later than the other two units. Instead we would suggest the mid-range 136bhp option as our pick over the more powerful 156bhp model.

Despite the 156bhp model having 280lb ft of torque compared with the 136bhp’s 258lb ft, they both operate with a wide torque band from just 1500rpm. 

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, but all three versions are available with the excellent HiMatic automatic gearbox, which provides quick and seamless shifts. It’s perhaps best suited to the 210-badged engine found in the 3.0-litre line-up; with 210bhp and 347lb ft of torque, this would be our recommendation for heavyweight usage applications over the lesser 158bhp and 178bhp options, because it feels the most sprightly even under load.

A revised steering setup helps the Iveco Daily to feel far more connected to the road than previous models managed, but you'll never forget you're driving a big and heavy van. That's in stark contrast to rivals including the Ford Transit, which feel much more car-like to drive and far lighter on their wheels.

This latest Daily rides more smoothly than previous generations, thanks to improved rear suspension, but the downside is that it increases ground clearance by 25mm, adding to the rear loading height.

To read about the electric van version, see our Iveco eDaily review.

For several generations of the Iveco Daily, the Italian manufacturer has been pushing its connectivity. However, while the previous generation championed removable devices for drivers, the latest Daily has an integrated screen as the focal point of its interior.

The 7.0in touchscreen includes a tracking and monitoring system developed in conjunction with Verizon. Vans can be monitored remotely and connected directly to an operational help centre in the event of a problem. Remote diagnostics and assistance are also both possible, and you can get help with preventative maintenance schedules. 

A reversing camera also uses the display, and there’s voice recognition along with the option of a commercial vehicle version of TomTom sat-nav. The new interface is also Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible. 

The Daily is smart inside and feels well built. The plastics are robust rather than luxurious but make use of different colours and textures to liven up the ambience.

There's plenty of handy storage, particularly around the centre console, and in the large open-air compartment on the top of the dashboard, which incorporates a handy wireless charging facility for your phone.

Also in the centre is a slot into which you can plug an aftermarket radio (this is the location for a tachograph on larger vans of more than 3.5-tonnes), while the modest glovebox and corresponding shelf above it are useful for odds and ends you might need on a journey. 

Other storage near to the driver is limited, but there’s a cupholder next to the A-pillar and the option of an overhead storage shelf. The centre seat folds down to provide a table area and also has useful storage. All in, though, rivals such as the VW Crafter offer more. 

Among its latest round of updates, the Iveco Daily gained a smaller and more button-heavy steering wheel to control all of its features. The column is adjustable for both rake and reach – something which was missing from previous models – while a City Mode button reduces the amount of steering effort required to turn the van by up to 70%.

With such a wide range of bodies and sizes available, listing the options available to an Iveco Daily buyer would take some time. However, for panel van customers there are five body lengths based on three wheelbases and three roof heights. That means load volumes range from 7.3m3 all the way up to a class-leading 19.6m³. 

Short-wheelbase vans have a total length of 5080mm with a 2610mm load length, while medium wheelbase vans get two body options providing 3130mm and 3540mm load lengths. 

The two largest bodies are built on a 4100mm wheelbase, giving them exceptionally large rear overhangs, given that the largest body measures 7540mm. These two monsters provide internal load lengths of 4680mm and 5125mm.

Width is 1800mm for all models, while H1 roof height vans offer 1545mm of internal height, H2 models have 1900mm and H3 2100mm.

One sliding side door is fitted as standard, with a maximum width of 1200mm. Rear doors open to 270 degrees and have a height aperture just 100mm less than their respective internal height measurements.

Payloads vary vastly depending on which engine, gearbox and body type you chose, but for 3.5-tonne vans they range between 900kg and 1400kg.

The Daily range is also known for its high gross vehicle weight (GVW) options. The heaviest are available in both chassis cab and panel van form and can be plated for various weights above 3.5 tonnes. This means they require you to have a C1 category licence to drive them. 

Unsurprisingly the 7-tonne Daily is a sizeable van, but it’s actually no bigger in size than the very largest 3.5-tonne models. However, the important difference is that Iveco has beefed up the suspension and chassis for such models, adding twin rear wheels to cope with the increased weights of the vehicle and the massive amounts of payload they can carry. 

The best performing combustion-engined 7-tonner in the range can move a staggering 4 tonnes, while the 7.2-tonne eDaily variant can shift up to 4.6 tonnes.

Once you’ve navigated the extensive range of vehicle choices and option packs, you should be left with an Iveco Daily that is capable of doing almost anything, but it won’t be cheap. 

Despite not having the household name of the Ford Transit or the badge of a Mercedes Sprinter, the Iveco Daily is not a cut-price choice. Pricing for a typical 3.5-tonne van falls between those two rivals, and the Daily would score higher in this section if it were more competitively priced.

The latest Daily is more economical than previous versions, and this will help with running costs. Expect to see mid-to-high twenties on your trip computer, which is about in line with rivals.

Equipment levels in the Daily depend upon whether you choose an Equipment, Functional or Mission Van variant. 

Business and Business Premium trims sit in the Equipment class and come with-air conditioning, heated mirrors and cruise control as standard. Business Premium gets an air-suspended driving seat which is very comfortable, as well as a dual bench passenger seat with a fold down table. If you specify a Hi-Matic automatic gearbox, the pack names change to Business+ and Business Exclusive, with LED headlights being the only noteworthy addition

The Winter and Hi-Drive packs fall into the Functional category, with Winter adding a range of heating options for the seats, windscreens and mirrors, while Hi-Drive adds safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, lane-departure warning, and automatic headlights and wipers.

Finally, the Mission Van models of Delivery and Delivery+ provide additional rear loadspace features including 270-degree opening doors, LED loadspace lights and reversing sensors. Delivery+ vans add entry handles for improved access, as well as the overhead cab storage.

For all the latest van reviews, news, advice, and videos visit our dedicated van section here

About the author

George Barrow is one of the leading van and truck reviewers, and is the UK’s only representative on the prestigious International Van of the Year jury. He has written about vans and commercial vehicles for the past 15 years, and can be found in titles including The Sun and What Van?, alongside What Car?.

Barrow is well regarded in the commercial vehicle industry, securing access to the latest models – and the people who made them – long before other titles.