Even smaller MPVs offer EV options these days. Jonathan Crouch looks at Vauxhall's improved Combo Life Electric

Ten Second Review

Vauxhall's fully electric small MPV, this Combo Life Electric, gets a useful update here both inside and out, but the main change is a significantly greater driving range between charges. As a result, like its Peugeot and Citroen design counterparts, it might be tempting option if you're looking for a full-electric compact family car and don't want a compact SUV. Here, there's the option of a 7-seat cabin too, which is quite rare to find in an EV at present.

Background

Because current Vauxhall vans must all have fully electric powertrain options these days, MPV customers also get offered BEV technology. This is provided both with the large Vivaro Life Electric model and also with this smaller Combo Life Electric, which shares its design with two French counterparts, the Citroen e-Berlingo and the Peugeot E-Rifter. As with those two models, this battery Combo has been significantly updated here, with the longer driving range, smarter looks and an updated front-of-cabin experience with enhanced media connectivity. But the boxy practicalities are just as before and are unaffected by the battery installation.

Driving Experience

We'd expected that this improved Combo Life Electric would get the same improved 54kWh battery lately fitted to the closely related Corsa Electric. That is after all, what's been fitted to this MPV model's clone, the otherwise near-identical Citroen e-Berlingo. Instead, like its other cousin, Peugeot's E-Rifter, this Vauxhall must continue with the same 50kWh battery it had before, though the cells have been worked on - with some significant results. This Combo Life Electric can now go 205 miles between charges, a useful 31 miles further than before. Much the same electric motor propels this MPV, a 136PS unit with 260Nm of pulling power but a particularly modest top speed (just 84mph). And you'll struggle to get that (and particularly eager acceleration) if you select the 'Eco' drive mode necessary to get anywhere near the quoted range stat. This reduces the powertrain's total 136PS output to just 80PS and also restricts the climate system to conserve power. Vauxhall recommends that you do most of your driving in the 'Normal' setting, which increases the motor output to 107PS. The top 'Power' mode you'll need for the full output isn't really intended for sporty driving but for situations when you're carrying heavy loads. There's a three-level regenerative braking system operable via paddles behind the steering wheel. The fiercest setting increases the level of regen braking to a point where the car slows so much when you come off throttle that you'll very rarely need to use the brake, unless you're coming to a complete stop. And on the move? Well like all electric vehicles, this one has a bit of a weight problem - that drivetrain adds over 300kgs of bulk, but that arguably helps the Combo Life Electric when it comes to ride quality; you'll feel things like speed humps keenly, but at speed on the open road, it handles tarmac tears a little better than you might expect.

Design and Build

The original Combo-Life (later renamed the 'Combo Life Electric') was a rather apologetic-looking thing. A bit too van-like and sensible, even for the aesthetically undemanding customers who want a small van-based MPV. This updated model won't stop the other school mums in their tracks, but it's a much more appealing-looking thing thanks to the addition of Vauxhall's signature 'Vizor' grille design. Plus restyled bumpers and much slimmer LED headlights that can optionally feature adaptive IntelliLux matrix technology. As before, two body lengths are available - 'Medium' (4.41m) and (if you want seven seats) 'XL' (4.76m). Inside, there's a considerably more far-reaching fascia redesign than you usually get with a facelift; this model's needed it to accommodate the latest Stellantis Group media tech. Namely a 10-inch digital instrument display that provides navigational information and energy consumption data. And a bigger 10-inch central touchscreen with wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-connectivity. The steering wheel's been redesigned too and has a set of paddles behind it for control of the different strengths of the regenerative braking system. The second row features a 60/40 split-folding seats, while the front passenger seat can be fully folded extending the length of the load area so that even large items, such as flat-pack furniture or ladders, can be carried inside. Medium variants with five seats feature up to 597-litres of boot space, extending up to 2,126-litres of space with the rear row folded. While 'XL' variants come with 850-litres of space, and up to 2,693-litres with the rear rows folded.

Market and Model

Prices start from around £32,000 and there's a premium of £900 if you want to progress from the five-seat 'Medium' body shape to the seven-seat long wheelbase 'XL' version. There are two trim levels - base 'Design' and the plusher five-seat-only 'Ultimate', for which you'll need close to £35,000. 'Design' spec gives you quite a lot - a 10 inch centre touchscreen, air conditioning, roof rails, 16 inch alloy wheels, front fog lights and Vauxhall remote smart phone access. 'Ultimate' spec adds navigation, a heated steering wheel and an electronic dual zone climate control. A key option is the adaptive, glare-free IntelliLux LED Matrix headlights. These incorporate a total of 14 LED elements - seven on each side - to ensure that the road is optimally illuminated in the dark and without glaring other road users In total, the Combo Life Electric can now offer up to 18 state-of-the-art driver assistance systems. The highlights include Adaptive Cruise Control with stop & go function as well as a high-resolution 180-degree rear-view camera. Intelli-Grip with hill descent control provides a firm grip on difficult surfaces such as snow, mud or sand. Sensors at the front and rear as well as flank guard and blind spot warning facilitate safe manoeuvring. Numerous additional systems such as Driver Attention Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Keep Assist and Forward Collision Alert with Emergency Braking complete the portfolio.

Cost of Ownership

We mentioned the improved WLTP-rated range in our Driving Experience section - 205 miles. To optimise range, you'll need to make full use of the car's regenerative braking system, regularly activating the fiercest mode via steering wheel paddles to maximise energy recovery during braking. As you'd want, the Combo Life Electric supports up to 100kW rapid (DC) charging, with an 80% re-charge taking less than 30 minutes, while a full charge from a 7.4kW single-phase wallbox takes 7.5 hours thanks to the 7.4kW on-board charger. Customers with access to three-phase power can specify an optional 11kW on-board charger that will charge this Vauxhall in 4 hours 45 minutes, when using a wallbox that also supports this faster home-charging solution. As usual with a compact zero emissions EV model, there's a Benefit-in-Kind first year tax rate of just 2%. That's until 2025, as is exemption from London congestion and ultra-low emissions charges. Maintenance intervals are much as they would be for a combustion model, but there'll be less for the workshop to do, so costs should be lower. There are plenty of Vauxhall outlets to choose from, so you should never be too far from one. So you can budget ahead, the brand offers various servicing pre-payment schemes that let you pay either a one-off fee or monthly instalments to cover the cost of the routine upkeep of your car. Insurance groups range between 18A and 21A.

Summary

This improved Combo Life Electric probably won't be the family car you promised yourself but it could well be the one you really need. Assuming that your Vauxhall dealer has delivered a sharper asking price quote than you could have got for this car's virtually identical Citroen e-Berlingo and Peugeot E-Rifter design stablemates. This Vauxhall's probably ideal for family folk who want a spacious compact electric vehicle - maybe as a second car - but don't want an SUV. Something that's realistically priced - on a lease deal anyway - and has an acceptable driving range. Plus this Combo Life Electric can be a van if you need it to be. Everything you really need then. And nothing you don't.