Iveco Daily Dual Cab 50C17 Turbo 2016 review

We had a transport job at hand that required a truck and five seats, but alas, we only had a driving license in our wallet.

There are a number of decently sized trucks available up to 4500 GVM that can be driven by average license holders, among them the desktop Iveco Dual Cab 50C17 Turbo Daily.

We got the job done with a model with a short wheelbase of 3750mm, a powerful 3.0-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel and a six-speed manual transmission. The eight-speed automatic variant should be on the shortlist.

Iveco has done a good job of making this small truck easy to drive and comfortable to live in.

The twin-turbo setup is good for 150kW/470Nm, with peak torque available between 1400 and 3000rpm.

Iveco builds a low friction engine and uses a low viscosity oil for maximum fuel efficiency.

The manual has a short first gear ratio with close spaced idler gears and a tall gear for cruising. There is an additional differential lock.

Dual rear wheels reduce power. Air suspension is optionally available with three ride heights.

A tray just over 3300mm long allowed us to load a small car with the suspension in the minimum position. The engineers have thoughtfully added strong fixing hooks at each corner of the grating plate steel tray.

Once loaded, we raised the suspension to medium ride height, filled up the 100-litre tank, put everyone on board, and off we went.

What's really remarkable about the 50C17 we tested is the passenger car feel from the driver's seat and in the cabin. Its steering wheel is flat, like an open-cab truck, but almost anything else could be in a car.

You don't get a suspension seat in a passenger car and the gear shifts in a car are shorter. Iveco has done a good job of making this small truck easy to drive and comfortable to live in.

We switched places a few times over the 2000-kilometer round trip, and the rear benches are where you want to be, even if the suspension seat is missing. The cabin is spacious and easily accessible, just one step down to the decent-sized seats.

Operation of the 50C17 is simple thanks to its easy handling. It lacks a rearview camera despite having a large IveConnect media screen. Some IveConnect features are difficult to access through the menu and are not available on the move - you must set it up while parked at the pavement, although a passenger can do this while driving.

The turning radius is surprisingly small for a small truck - 10.5.

For safety, there are dual front airbags. Additional amenities include climate-controlled air conditioning, a decent audio system, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, a multi-function steering wheel, multiple storage compartments and walk-through front seats.

Flat rear chassis for easy tray installation, all-round disc brakes, hill carrier, independent front suspension and 12 month/40,000 km service intervals. Limited-price car-style service not yet available.

Our test drive showed that the 50C17 performs well even at maximum payload. A car and five bodies on board with about 200 kg of equipment is about 2.5 tons, but we returned a whopping 13.5 l / 100 km over a distance of about 760 km.

We found the manual transmission a little clunky, especially when shifting from fifth. First, strictly in order to get a heavy load from the mark. Using cruise control is fine, but when the speed drops on long climbs, it turns off.

This is where the car comes into its own – more gear ratios to switch between will keep everything simmering, improve fuel economy, eliminate left foot action and improve cruise control performance.

The turning radius is surprisingly tight for a small truck (10.5m) and visibility from the driver's seat is good in all directions.

It appears to be well assembled from a European factory and could be an economical commercial vehicle for local deliveries or even interstate work. And being able to drive it like a car is a bonus.

It's good that you need a rear view camera. Pay another $3895 for the car.

Will the Dual Cab 50C17 fit your work needs? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Click here for more information on pricing and specifications for the 2016 Iveco Daily.