The concept of a practical and versatile vehicle, aimed at active families and empty-nesters, has not been a lost cause to Vauxhall Motors. For many years, it has developed the window-van in (originally) Bedford and Vauxhall badged variants. The Vauxhall Combo Life, based on the Peugeot-Citroen light van, arrives in showrooms priced from £19,610 on-the-road (prior to FCD discounts being applied).
Packed with innovations that make it a great choice for families, as well as small firms, it is spacious, highly practical and exceedingly versatile, being equipped with two rear side-sliding doors and the ability to order it as a five, or seven-seater, with each configuration available on either standard (4.0m), or lengthened (4.75m) XL bodies. The boot capacity is up to a massive 850-litres and more, if the rear seats are folded forwards. Its myriad applications are more than obvious.
It also benefits from three ISOFIX child seat brackets, fitted on the second-row seats of all models, and the optional panoramic glass sunroof (which also features an electrically operated blind). However, Combo Life raises the bar for safety and comfort in the segment, being fitted with advanced technology and driver assistance systems that are more commonly seen in the compact, or SUV segments. These include driver drowsiness alert, rear-view camera with 180° bird’s-eye view, ‘head-up display’ and IntelliGrip (which is Peugeot’s electronic differential lock system that provides traction improvements), as well as improved comfort features such as heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
The new Combo Life offers an amazing breadth of storage opportunities, from the ‘hatbox’ above the windscreen rail (perfect for smaller items), while the driver, front seat passenger and those in back seats can stow their personal items in large door pockets. Seat-back pockets and drawers offer additional storage for those in the rear. The driver and front seat passenger can take advantage of the upper and lower glovebox. As the airbag on the passenger side is located in the roof (like the Citroen Cactus), the cooled upper glovebox offers space, even for larger items, and is ideal for storing cold drinks.
If ordered with the optional panoramic roof, the Combo Life features overhead storage that runs down the centre of the vehicle, with LED lighting as standard. In this configuration, it is also fitted with a 36-litre storage box mounted above the ‘hat tray’ in the boot. It is perfect for books, small toys and loose luggage and can be loaded from the rear, when the hatchback door is open, or through the optional opening window integrated in the tailgate, or accessed from inside the vehicle, via two sliding doors at the front-end of the box.
Towing a small caravan (trailer load up to 1,500kg), or a trailer, is possible using the optional fixed, or removable, towing hook. Trailer Stability Control is standard, when ordered with a towing hook, and aids the car’s balance, when it needs to. Naturally, first-class ergonomics were PSA’s design priority for the vehicle’s cabin from the outset. The dashboard’s centre console is divided clearly into three different sections: the upper is devoted to the prominent infotainment screen, with heating and ventilation controls located below it. The driver enjoys an excellent overall view, thanks to the elevated seating position and the large windscreen.
The optional air-conditioning, or dual-zone climate control, keeps occupants cool and alert, regardless of weather conditions. Electric front windows are standard and are also optional for the second row of seats, where the flexible seating set-up means that five-seater models split 60:40, although the optional seven-seat arrangement has a 35:30:35 split. Optional folding tables are embedded in the backrests of the front seats. They can be used as shelves for smartphones, or tablets, or as an occasional tray for a snack (including a drink).
There is a good choice of turbocharged, direct-injection petrol and diesel engines, all of which boast low CO2 emissions from 111g/km and fuel economy up to 67.3mpg. The all-aluminium units are available with either five- or six-speed manual transmissions, to usual PSA specification. In addition, a low-friction eight-speed automatic gearbox, with ‘Quickshift’ technology, can be ordered in combination with the top-of-the-range 1.5-litre (127bhp) turbo-diesel option. A 97bhp version is available.
The turbo-petrol option displaces 1.2-litres, uses ‘start/stop’ technology and develops a modest 107bhp. It can still attain 51.4mpg (Official Combined), with CO2 emissions of 125g/km. A higher output 1.2-litre unit, producing 127bhp, will be available during the first half of 2019.
For Vauxhall, a new generation of PSA-originated infotainment systems are available in the Combo Life. The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-compatible multimedia radio and multimedia ‘Navi Pro’ system (with European mapping, 3D functionality and traffic messaging) is controlled via the eight-inch colour touchscreen, the steering wheel remote controls, or voice command. Accessing playlists is made easier by reading out instructions, or occupants can even dictate text messages. The infotainment systems come with two USB ports and six speakers. Smartphones can be charged inductively as an optional extra.
From the front of the van, a typical Vauxhall ‘Griffin’ identity with sculpted details enhances the feeling of familiarity and solidity. The high bonnet line features a pair of crisp creases that run from the windscreen down to the grille and they emphasise the sturdiness of the vehicle. Internally, all controls are within easy reach and the centre console is designed for maximum practicality. Chrome accents on the steering wheel, on the door handles and air vents add character and relieve a grey plasticity.
Two trim levels, Design and Energy, are available, with Energy models as either five or seven-seaters. Customers can also choose between two wheelbase lengths, standard and XL. If you need space for more passengers, the Energy seven-seater starts from £21,710 on-the-road (pre-FCD discounts) for the 1.2-litre (107bhp) turbo-petrol, 6-speed manual model.
