Summary
|
When you’re looking for a new motorhome, it’s natural to spend hours imagining yourself in the living quarters - checking out the layout and feeling the quality of the finish. But often, little attention is paid to the chassis underneath. It’s a bit like finding your dream home and forgetting to get a building report. The platform you choose determines your driving experience, long-term reliability, and cost of ownership.
Because the commercial vehicles used for motorhomes come from trusted global brands, many people assume they’re all much the same - if they're good enough for a courier driver, they must be perfect for a holiday, right? But in reality, only one of these commercial vehicles is actually designed and engineered from the ground up to be a motorhome.
Step forward, the Fiat Ducato. It’s the world’s most popular motorhome chassis for a reason, with over one million Ducato-based motorhomes currently providing their owners a ticket to adventure. There are over 800,000 of them proudly flying the Fiat flag across Europe, Britain, and Australasia.
Let’s delve into why the Ducato has achieved a dominance that rivals any Ferrari on the Formula One track.
Why do Wilderness Motorhomes only sell Ducato-based models?
The Fiat Ducato is the "gold standard" for motorhome platforms because it is the only chassis engineered from the ground up for habitation rather than just cargo delivery.
This specialised focus results in a wider rear track for better stability, a lighter front-wheel-drive system for increased payload, and a smoother ride tailored to New Zealand's winding roads.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the shutdown of the Sevel plant in Italy that builds Ducatos, we had a choice. We looked at every other motorhome platform available to keep stock moving. But after a thorough investigation, we realised that switching would mean compromising our standards. Simply put, there was no other chassis that allowed us to keep our commitment to quality. We decided it was better to wait for the best than to settle for anything less.
How does the Fiat compare to alternatives like the Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter?
Unlike Mercedes-Benz and Ford, Fiat offers a dedicated range of Ducato vans specifically engineered for motorhome manufacturers. This range includes five wheelbases and six different chassis lengths, supporting a Gross Vehicle Mass of up to 4.4 tonnes. These "motorhome-ready" vans feature pre-cut cab roofs, strengthened window pillars, and an extended wiring loom. The top-tier ‘Chassis Special’ even uses composite leaf springs instead of steel to save weight and provide a lower, smoother profile. Fiat also fits motorhome-specific tyres and a 190mm-wider rear wheel track.
Why is the Ducato a front-drive chassis rather than rear-drive?
Front-wheel drive offers massive advantages for vehicles under six tonnes with less than 600Nm of driving force. It frees up interior space and reduces mass, which means you get a better payload for all your gear.
Take a deeper dive into why we prefer front-drive.
What is the difference between a delivery-oriented van and one designed to be a base for a motorhome?
A delivery van is built for a courier manager’s bottom line - bare-bones and functional. A motorhome-ready van, however, features better-furnished driver cabs, specialised suspension, and specific tyre selections designed to deliver a smooth, quiet ride when you hit the open road. Its lower centre of gravity also has a major safety advantage, as it makes the vehicle less susceptible to high winds, and you might find that it comes with more safety features in general.
What are the biggest benefits of a motorhome built upon a Fiat Ducato base?
The Fiat Ducato is a purpose-built chassis that results in excellent ride stability, increased living space, and lower long-term maintenance costs. Here’s why this chassis has become the industry benchmark for reliability and performance on the road.
Purpose-built Design
The Ducato features a rear track (the gap between the two rear wheels) width of 1980mm - the widest of any motorhome platform. This means more living space in the habitation area behind the cab.
Ride Quality
That wide track also means better road-holding and less body roll when you’re winding through corners. Specialised suspension components smooth out the bumps, eliminating that "rattling" feeling often found in converted delivery vans.
Reliability and Servicing
While most motorhomes need a check-up every year, the Fiat Ducato only requires a service every 24 months. With 16 Official Fiat Professional service centres across New Zealand - including 12 that can handle motorhomes over 7.25 metres - you’re always supported. Whether you’re in the North or South Island, expert help is never far away. The Fiat warranty on imported Ducato motorhomes is two years for the engine and chassis.
Total Commitment to Quality
Wilderness stuck with Fiat at a time of short supply because we refuse to compromise on your experience. We know the long-term benefits for our customers, especially when it comes to reliability and resale value.
|
The Fiat Ducato is the only chassis designed from the ground up specifically for motorhomes. Because it’s built for purpose, you get exceptional ride quality compared to converted commercial vans. It also has a long-standing history and service network throughout New Zealand, which means that reliability is high and servicing is straightforward. It is a proven platform that has won ‘Motorhome Chassis of the Year’ in Europe consistently for over a decade. During COVID, it was hard to get these chassis. A lot of other brands switched to Ford, Renault, or Peugeot just to get stock. We dug our heels in and refused to change. We stuck with Fiat because we know how reliable they are and how easy they are to service here.
Joe Barton — Retail Sales Consultant, Wilderness Motorhomes |
Why is the Fiat Ducato so popular for motorhome conversions in New Zealand?
The Ducato dominates New Zealand’s motorhome market because its specialised engineering, global recognition, and vast network of service centres provide a level of reliability and resale value that standard commercial platforms just can’t match.
Strength in Numbers
According to the NZTA data, over half (53%) of all new motorhomes sold to private buyers in New Zealand in 2025 are built on a Fiat Ducato - more than 4 times as many as its closest competitor (Mercedes-Benz - 12%). In Europe, 70% of motorhomes are built on a Fiat chassis annually.
.png?width=500&height=471&name=Market%20Share%20Graphs-01%20(1).png)
|
Key Insights
|
Engineered specifically for Motorhomes
Fiat makes life easier for builders, which results in a better vehicle for you. For example, manufacturers intending to build a semi-integrated motorhome can order pre-cut "co-joined" cab-chassis to reduce delivery costs while maintaining sector-leading driving dynamics.
Global Recognition
Since 2008, the Ducato has consistently won "Best Motorhome Base" from Promobil magazine - the "Oscars" of the motorhome world. Its 2025 win extended a record-breaking 17-year winning streak.
High Resale Value
Because it’s the "gold standard," demand for second-hand Ducatos is incredibly high. When it’s time for your next adventure, your Fiat-based motorhome holds its value exceptionally well.
|
The servicing network is fantastic, the Ducato is reliable, and parts are easy to source. But more than anything, a Ducato motorhome is simply fantastic to drive. Because it was built specifically for motorhomes, it sits lower and is wider at the back, which makes the ride smoother and eliminates the rattling you experience in other vehicles. You get a performance element on the road as well as security around servicing and parts.
Joe Barton — Wilderness Motorhomes |
Is the Ducato a comfortable and easy-to-drive base for a motorhome?
The Fiat Ducato is designed to feel more like a car than a truck, using a low-slung chassis and a high-visibility "glasshouse" cab to make handling intuitive for any driver.
Stability and Safety
The Fiat sits lower to the ground, which makes it far more stable in high winds. This is a massive safety and comfort advantage when you're negotiating exposed coastal roads or mountain passes. It also comes with safety enhancements like traction control, stability control, tyre pressure monitoring and automatic emergency braking if a collision is imminent.
Car-like Handling
The Ducato cab-area "glasshouse" offers better visibility than any other platform, with windows that extend further down to expand your line of sight. Wide-angle side mirrors ensure you always know what’s behind you. Plus, it’s packed with driving aids: reversing cameras, speed-adaptive cruise control, speed-sensitive power steering with lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, hill holder and automatic emergency braking.
|
The Ducato is incredibly comfortable because the chassis is built for motorhoming. As for ease of driving, we have more than 200 of these in our rental fleet, which are often driven by first-timers. We don’t prohibit our motorhomes from driving anywhere in the country unless a road sign specifically restricts it. There are no prohibited regions or ranges, which speaks to how easy they are to handle. It gives you great confidence behind the wheel.
Joe Barton — Wilderness Motorhomes |
Take the ‘Rental Test’
Want to feel it for yourself? Rent one of the 200+ Fiat-based motorhomes in the Wilderness rental fleet, available across both the North and South Island. Spend a few days on the road and feel for yourself how no-stress the driving experience is. You’ll meet Ducato motorhome owners and overseas tourists who hire Fiat-based vehicles from Wilderness, many of whom have never driven large vehicles before - but most soon find that driving a Ducato is not that different to driving a car.
Check out our blog on the Fiat Ducato Series 8 platform for more details on why it’s the best choice of motorhome platform.
How does the Fiat Ducato’s performance and fuel economy suit New Zealand touring conditions?
If you’ve ever driven down a backcountry road in New Zealand, you know how skilled you have to be at manoeuvring around corners. The Fiat Ducato’s European heritage gives it an advantage here.
European DNA for NZ Roads
There are some seriously serpentine roads in Europe - Nice to Monaco, the infamous Stelvio Pass, or Alpe d’Huez. The Ducato was born to traverse the winding mountain passes of the Alps and the coastal twists of the Mediterranean. This makes it the perfect partner for New Zealand’s winding roads.
Safety First
The Ducato’s Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) includes speed-adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, traffic jam assistance and an autonomous emergency braking system that’s aware of cyclists and pedestrians. You can also activate road sign recognition and driver attention monitoring.
The latest Ducato is the world’s first "Level 2 autonomous" commercial vehicle. This means it can help steer, brake, and accelerate on motorways, keeping you safely in the middle of your lane while you remain attentive.
Frugal with Fuel
Introduced in 2023, the new ‘Multijet 3’ 2.2L engines are lighter and more efficient, offering a 7% improvement in fuel economy over the previous 2.3L generation. It’s one of the most economical diesels on the road today, but delivers just as much power as the engine it replaced.
Ready for Anything
A Ducato-based motorhome will take you anywhere there’s a well-maintained road in this country.
|
A lot of European roads, like the mountains in the Alps, are similar to New Zealand conditions. This is different to the wide, flat highways American or Australian vehicles are often designed for. Because the Fiat is built for those winding roads, it fits the New Zealand ecosystem perfectly. It can hop seamlessly between Auckland city traffic and steep hills in the country. The new models also come with safety features you expect in a modern car like hill holder, cyclist detection, and traffic sign recognition.
Joe Barton — Wilderness Motorhomes |
Ready to find a motorhome with a payload that truly suits your adventures? Explore our range of premium motorhomes.
