2019 Vauxhall Combo Cargo Review - In-Depth Roadtest | Vanarama.com

[@autochampwandelen]

One of my favourite small vans! I have to admit the design looks very nice!

[@petea7323]

We really are spoilt for choice these days with good vans on the market. Good review.

[@bmwdaywhatyouwant7679]

So I had the chance to recently test drive a rental Opel combo life (passenger version), it was a mid spec vehicle. I must say... I wasn't impressed with the interior, too much hard plastic, everything felt miles away from your driver seat reach. Too spacious. The door was too fluffy, I needed to slam the door to actually be sure it was close. However, I was impressed with how it drove. It was very smooth on the road, not at smooth as my Nissan Navara d23, but not far off, still smoother than average let's say. The steering radius was great! Maneuverability felt like a jet ski, compared to my Navara D23 (which feels like a colossal cruise ship when doing U-turns...). I loved how smooth and light the steering wheel felt. It didn't feel like much feedback, but it was smooth and relaxing. Jeremy Clarkson probably wasn't joking when he compared the Citroen Berlingo to a Rolls Royce (Although he has a nature for mocking French cars).

[@vanaramauk]

Tom here: I say it every time - I'm a big fan of the Groupe PSA platform sharers. They're all really good. The Combo Cargo feels like it was designed for the continent.

[@bmwdaywhatyouwant7679]

@@vanaramauk I must say I agree, it was designed for European roads, and it must be one of the safest to drive, the spaciousness and thick doors, etc... it is good value for money! However I recently spotted a flaw, and that is PSA vans and cars suffer from cold. Story with the Opel combo life. It was a chilly Belgian morning of -1°c, my mom was attempting to start her Opel but it wouldn't start. We tried for 5 more minutes until it finally started. But it's wrong because a new van of 2019 refusing to start instantly in the -1°c cold... it's wrong. My 2019 Nissan Navara D23 starts instantly no matter how cold it gets, even if its -2°c. I'm not basing my conclusion just on one PSA car, it was a similar story with the Peugeot 5008 we have and the Peugeot 807 I had until last year. PSA must improve their quality control, otherwise they're great I must say!

[@paulmorozan7893]

I have read that the 1.5 HDI produced until 2023 has a major problem regarding the 7mmshaft chain which will brake and cause major damage. I wonder if it is a common problem or not because I intend to buy a 2021 Opel combo 1.5D 130 bhp

[@bmwdaywhatyouwant7679]

I recently had a chance to also drive a Peugeot Rifter and I must say... I quite liked it. I think it suits a Peugeot or Citroen better, but for Opel/Vauxhall to join... a bit of identity issue going on here... oh and did you see what Toyota did recently? They released a small van based on a PSA van chassis. Its atrocious but for competition sake. 😂

[@vanaramauk]

Tom here: Oh yeah, the Toyota Proace City. Some more cynical people might comment on how half the market is all the same small and medium vans now...

[@johnroddy8756]

What was the reason again why the British car industry collapsed ,after years at the game.When I want to see a review i want stats on how good the engine is,reliability fuel consumption,I care less about glove compartment

[@vanaramauk]

Tom here: Totally understandable. Well, our reviews are designed to show you the vehicle inside & out. If you like what you see, you can do further research on our site's deal pages where you'll find full range specs. Thanks for the comment.

[@palooooch]

Surroud rear vision - DO NOT PURCHASE THAT THING - every time you switch on the car key - YOU NEED TO ACCEPT that you acknowledge the risk of using it. Opel means that you are like computer - every time you switch off the car you turn off your memory (loose the knowlege of that risk) so when you turn the carkey again you have to confirm message that you`ve already seen thousand of times !!! Imagine that you start your car 10 times a day - do you get a picture how annoing it is ? And the most curious thing is that if you want to change the view from rear to right side (camera under right mirror - European version) you have to do it AGAIN WITH BUTTON near the screen ( you have to reach with hand while you drive) ONLY IN OPEL. In other sibling cars (Peugeot, Toyota and Citroen ) you can do it WITHOUT TAKING HAND OFF THE STEERING WHEEL. ONLY BY PRESSING A BUTTON ON INDICATOR SHIFTER !!! Not in Opel :( And if you pick this system you do not have a rear view on a big 8" screen with better perspective - no no no !!! Yu have it on a lot smaller 3" screen !!! So once again - CONSIDER - if you need to make your blood pressure higher and you can't drink coffe - please do purchase that system.

[@roadwarrior8560]

I want to know how the thing drives, what power and torque it has, can it take a euro pallet, I'm not buying it to play music.

[@vanaramauk]

Tom here: When I'm in the loading bay I mention the dimensions are 1.2 wide by 1.2 high - so that's a check for Euro pallets. Then I take it for a drive - so there's a summary of what it's like to drive including power & gear response. Next review I film I'll mention the torque, but it does change depending on which power output version of the engine you opt for. Let me know if you have any other questions, always happy to help.

[@daveevans2261]

Looks a nice van.

[@vanaramauk]

Tom here: It really is. Really great platform, size, trim level. I'd recommend it.

[@frazerguest2864]

@@vanaramauk : Given the choice between the Vauxhall, the Peugeot or the Citroen, (all with the 130bhp motor and auto box), which would you choose?

[@wkb9683]

VW Caddy maxi is & probably will be for many years the ultimate van for tradesmen, plumber electrician mostly all tradesmen love the Caddy. Expensive for a very good reason.

[@vanaramauk]

Tom here: Some people might say you're paying for the badge...

[@stuco81]

Am I right in thinking that (thus far at least) Vauxhall dont have the 6 speed gearbox available that is fitted to its two stablemates. Also, the Vauxhall's engine is in the lowest state of tune out of the 3, with the Peugeot having the highest power output available. For me, its the best looking van in its class. But losing the extra gear and horsepower from what my current Doblo based Combo has is not very appealing. Maybe by the time I actually come to trade-in those powertrain options might have trickled down to Vauxhall...

[@vanaramauk]

Good question. You get a 5-speed manual gearbox in the 1.5 75PS and 100PS versions, and a 6-speed box in the 1.5 130PS or the 1.2 110PS version. (I know you didn't mention it, but if you wanted an 8-speed automatic, it's an option on the 1.5 130PS.) As for power output, 130PS is as much as you can get in a Peugeot Partner, so a 1.5 130PS Combo Cargo could be exactly what you're looking for.

[@pshotton3752]

Can't watch this any more, tee hee's are driving me nuts

[@aoidhanman]

Lots of problems after 12 months use, radio and morning dampness, panels popping out, window switch breaking and falling into door panel. Pictures and videos to support this. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@irking8529]

Tee hee??

[@vanaramauk]

Tom here: Yeah...

[@ajay999999]

Tee Hee