Auto Express recently published an in-depth independent road test of the updated Iveco Daily, assessing whether the rugged Italian workhorse still earns its place against strong modern commercial rivals. Tested by reviewer Shane Wilkinson, the Daily retains the traditional truck-derived ladder-frame chassis that has long established its reputation for serious heavy-duty work. Iveco has brought the model up to date with vital revisions to cabin equipment, standard active safety systems, and electrified powertrain choices. While rivals built on car-like monocoques deliver quieter highway manners and plusher cockpits, the Daily remains an unashamed heavy hauler built to take punishing payloads in its stride. Auto Express awarded the van an overall test rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Key specs
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): 3.5 tonnes to 7.2 tonnes - Maximum payload: Up to 3,820kg on heavy-duty specifications - Maximum cargo volume: Up to 19.6 cubic metres - Engine choices: 2.3-litre turbo diesel, 3.0-litre turbo diesel, 3.0-litre Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and pure-electric e-Daily - Power output: 114bhp to 204bhp (test vehicle generated 370Nm of torque) - Transmissions: Six-speed manual or eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox - Bodystyles: Panel van, chassis cab, crew cab, luton van, and minibus across three wheelbases and five body lengths - Safety: Euro NCAP Gold award rating
Cab, tech and interior
Climbing into the Iveco Daily immediately reveals its commercial origins. Auto Express noted that the cab feels engineered from the ground up to endure punishing site work and constant daily graft. The trade-off for that rugged durability is a cabin dominated by hard, functional plastics and a utilitarian layout carrying remnants of older switchgear. It does not disguise its age as convincingly as the latest passenger-focused cabins in the sector, but it looks capable of lasting through years of abrasive wear.
The technology suite has taken a welcome leap forward. Drivers now face a fresh digital instrument display behind the steering wheel alongside redesigned infotainment screens. Base variants come fitted with a 7.0-inch touchscreen display, while upper specifications upgrade to a larger 10.0-inch interface. The Auto Express test team reported that both screens provide reasonable functionality, though their graphical interface and input responsiveness feel distinctly average rather than cutting-edge. Storage cubbies and door bins throughout the cab offer solid everyday practicality, even if outright cabin glamour remains low on the priority list.
Driving dynamics and refinement
Behind the wheel, the Daily cannot entirely hide its substantial external bulk, yet the reviewer found it surprisingly straightforward and stress-free to pilot on UK roads. The rear-wheel-drive platform allows the front wheels to turn aggressively, yielding a tight turning circle that lets drivers swing through tight junctions and awkward depot gates with unexpected ease. Light electric power steering keeps low-speed manoeuvres effortless, while the braking system offers predictable, confidence-inspiring pedal feedback under deceleration.
The mechanical package delivers willing performance. With 370Nm of pulling power in the tested specification, the diesel engine reached cruising speeds without needing to be thrashed. The eight-speed ZF automatic transmission shifts cleanly, keeping the engine within its optimal torque band. Refinement, however, remains a distinct weak spot. Auto Express pointed out that the diesel engine sounds agricultural and noisy when pushed hard, sending noticeable resonance into the cab. Road and surface harshness also filter through when the vehicle is running unladen, settling into a much smoother rhythm only once a substantial load rests over the rear axle.
UK availability and price
The updated Iveco Daily is currently on sale across the UK dealer network. Pricing for diesel models starts from just over £40,000 excluding VAT for entry-level chassis cab configurations. For standard diesel panel van bodystyles, prices begin at around £41,500 excluding VAT.
For operators pursuing low-carbon fleets, the fully electric Iveco e-Daily chassis cab starts from nearly £56,000 excluding VAT, with the electric panel van version commanding upwards of £57,500 excluding VAT. Buyers can select from 2.3-litre and 3.0-litre diesel units ranging from 114bhp to 204bhp, the 3.0-litre CNG powertrain, or the zero-emission electric setup. Order books are open nationwide, though specific delivery times vary according to body builder conversions and tailored chassis requirements.
How it compares
When operators assess their transport options, many cross-shop general fleet stock. Buyers exploring broader market alternatives like Ford vans for sale or Volkswagen vans for sale frequently balance medium-van agility against heavy-duty carrying capacity. Standard medium-class models such as the Ford Transit Custom and Volkswagen Transporter provide car-like driving dynamics, superior low-roof clearance for multi-storey car parks, and quieter cabs.
However, vehicles like the Volkswagen Transporter Panel Van top out around the 3.0-to-3.2-tonne gross weight bracket with compact load bays. In stark contrast, the Iveco Daily operates in an entirely different weight and volume class. With cargo space reaching 19.6 cubic metres and gross vehicle weights scaling from 3.5 up to 7.2 tonnes, the Daily offers up to 3,820kg of maximum payload. In the large van segment itself, Auto Express highlighted that the Daily faces fierce competition from the front-wheel-drive Renault Master, which begins at less than £34,000 for diesel and under £44,000 for electric. While the Master undercuts the Daily on price, the Iveco holds the upper hand on outright load capacity and custom conversions.
What it means for fleet buyers
For fleet managers running demanding logistics or heavy conversions, the Iveco Daily remains an exceptional mechanical asset. Its separate ladder frame allows seamless installation of tipper beds, luton bodies, drop-sides, and specialised trade gear without compromising structural rigidity. Crucially, the pure-electric e-Daily platform maintains identical payload ratings and towing limits to its diesel siblings, avoiding the severe weight penalties common in monocoque EV conversions.
Safety is another strong operational asset. Auto Express noted that every Daily comes standard with autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, intelligent speed assist, driver drowsiness detection, and reversing sensors, earning the model a Euro NCAP Gold rating. Factory pre-wiring for an alcohol interlock system also eases integration for corporate compliance programmes.
Before signing purchase orders, fleet managers must check several key logistical factors. Iveco’s UK dealer footprint is smaller and more truck-oriented than high-street car-van networks, which can affect local servicing convenience. Furthermore, models specified above 3.5 tonnes GVW require drivers to hold category C1 licences, comply with tachograph laws, and operate under commercial operator licensing regulations.
Verdict: Auto Express concludes that while the Iveco Daily feels somewhat dated in its cabin furnishings and loud under acceleration, its sheer payload capacity, tight turning circle, and immense versatility make it a tough, dependable work tool for heavy-duty operators.