Vauxhall Combo Life - Life lessons

Описание: Driving Experience
Combo Life buyers choose between three engines. There's a 1.2-litre petrol unit offering 110PS in manual form or 130PS as an auto. Or a 1.5-litre Turbo D diesel, developing 100 and only offered with a manual. The altermative is the Combo e-Life EV, which has a 50kWh battery offering a 174 mile driving range. Under the skin of all Combos, there's an independent Bi-link suspension system that can provide reasonably supple ride comfort, yet is firm enough to resist body roll and support heavy loads. It's a decent compromise. Whichever bodyshape variant you choose - standard 'M' or long 'XL' - you'll find that the driving position pretty good, with the steeply raked windscreen and low bonnet combining to give great visibility. Couple that with big panoramic door mirrors and the result is a vehicle you can be confident about driving even the most congested city streets where the light steering facilitates a tight turning circle, 11.2m in the short wheelbase version and 12.5m for the long wheelbase model. As for refinement - usually a van-based MPV issue - well, the slightly clattery note at start-up from the Turbo D settles down quite acceptably once you get up to speed. Ultimately, probably the biggest compliment you can really pay this Vauxhall is that at times, it's easy to forget you're driving a van-derived product.

Design and Build
The Combo Life is available in a 4.4-metre standard length 'M' version with five-seats; or a longer 4.75-metre long 'XL' seven-seat model, all versions with two sliding rear doors as standard. Both variants have a height of 1.8 metres and the EV variant offers a third seating row option with the 'M' body shape too. Style-wise, compared with other van-based MPVs in the segment, this one has a shorter front overhang and a higher bonnet, making it look more balanced. From the front, it displays a typical Vauxhall identity and the high bonnet features two crisp lines, which go from the windscreen down to the grille and emphasise the stability of the vehicle. As with most van-based MPVs, you get plenty of boot space and there are no interior spacial compromises with the EV variant. The five-seat, standard length version has a minimum luggage volume of 597-litres, while the long wheelbase model has a minimum luggage volume of 850-litres. With the rear seats folded down, the boot volume of the standard version more than triples to 2,126-litres. The longer version of the Combo Life offers even more capacity when the rear seats are folded down with up to 2,693-litres available. For passengers, there are five and seven-seat variants. Either way, you get three individual rear seats, all with ISOFIX child seat brackets, and you can specify an optional panoramic glass roof.

Market and Model
Priced from just under £23,000, the entry-level 'Edition' 1.2-litre 110PS petrol 6-speed manual model features air conditioning, a DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth audio streaming and 16-inch steel wheels with styled wheel covers. Moving up the range, the 'SE' trim starts from around £27,000 for the five-seater 1.2-litre 110PS petrol 6-speed manual model. Standard specification includes an eight-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, 16-inch alloy wheels and front and rear parking sensors. If you need space for more passengers, the 'Edition'-spec seven-seater XL lwb model starts from just under £25,000 for the 1.2-litre 110PS 6-manual model. Standard specification includes 35/30/35 split-folding second-row seats with a fold-flat facility, two removable third-row seats and two foldable tables with cup-holders. Pricing for the EV Combo e-Life starts at just under £32,000 after deduction of the £2,500 government Plug-in car Grant; that gets you the base five-seat Medium length version, which can also be had with a third seating row for £500 more. If you want to seat seven though, you're better off specifying the longer wheelbase 'XL' body shape; well, if you can afford it anyway. Because the asking price for this top variant from launch was pitched at £35,710, it's pitched above the £35,000 threshold for that government grant, so you're on your own with the asking price.