Test drive: Opel Combo Life, loaded with reasons

Load capacity, ease of driving, good interior space and practicality for all kinds of situations. The Opel Combo Life offers a package of advantages that is well worth considering when looking for a spacious car at a moderate price.

The practicality, in every sense, is the word that best describes the new Opel Combo Life. A commercial vehicle that Opel has, very skilfully, converted into a class-leading MPV. Together with the Peugeot Rifter and the Citroën Berlingo, it forms a family of “family vans” in which the Opel model stands out for its price and a well-understood simplicity. That is, not having many luxuries in order to gain in practicality, comfort and good performance, all from €16,851 starting price.

Opel Combo Life: “made in Spain”

The Opel Combo Life is one of those models that is more important than it seems at first glance. In fact, it is the first model of the brand produced at the factory that the PSA Group has in Vigo. That is, the first Opel produced in Spain outside the iconic Opel factory in Zaragoza. Besides using the CMP modular platform which, with its upcoming electrified version, guarantees the future arrival of an electric Opel Combo from 2021.

With its 45,000 units a year (87% exported to the rest of Europe), the Combo range boasts of offering the useful solutions of the light commercial vehicle the model was originally, while also moving with genuine ease by dressing up as a family SUV in this version called Life.

In fact, the Opel Combo Life is offered in standard and long-wheelbase versions, where it grows to 4.7 metres and reaches an enormous boot capacity of 805 litres. In the short version the boot offers 597 litres. The maximum load volume is 2,126 litres in the short version and 2,693 in the XL model.

All this, with rear seats that can be folded individually in 35/30/35 sections to maximise load capacity. Both versions have the option of fitting a third row of seats, at the cost of reducing the vast storage volume.

Meanwhile, the engine range includes 1.5 diesels of 75, 100 and 130 CV and a 1.2-litre petrol version with 110 CV. There are different manual gearboxes (5 and 6 speeds) and an 8-speed automatic option for the most powerful version of the range.

In our case, we got behind the wheel of the Opel Combo Life 1.5 TD with 130 CV and a 6-speed manual gearbox. A versatile engine for the short-wheelbase model (4,403 mm long) with 5 seats which, in addition to allowing us to travel with the whole house on our backs, delivered very modest consumption and a genuinely comfortable driving dynamic.

That is, a vehicle that, for less than €20,000, offers everything needed for short breaks or long-distance journeys: travelling comfortably and with enough luggage capacity so that holidays don’t turn into a nightmare.

Driving dynamics

You only need to sit in the driver’s seat of the Opel Combo Life to realise that this is a genuinely comfortable vehicle. Everything around the driver’s position breathes comfort, from the seating height and good visibility to easy access to the whole infotainment system, dominated by a touchscreen that allows smartphone connection via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. A simple system, but one that represents a good step forward over the previous generation and that puts the Combo Life on a par with the Group PSA’s other family vans in terms of infotainment.

And once behind the wheel is when the Opel Combo Life confirms all its versatile practical advantages, with carefully tuned and efficient driving dynamics. The engine of the unit we tested, the 1.5 diesel with 130 CV, proved to be a safe bet for moving the Combo with vigour, even with a significant load of luggage in the boot and five adults inside (the maximum authorised load for this version is 2,010 kg).

It pulls perfectly from low revs, shows no sign of stalling even at around 1,500 rpm and doesn’t need to rev much above 2,500 for situations requiring greater acceleration. In the city, despite its size, it also moves nimbly, and the parking sensors, together with its rear camera, are a blessing for controlling its dimensions when manoeuvring. Something more than necessary if we think of the XL version.

Furthermore, the efficiency of this engine is beyond doubt, delivering a total consumption of 6.7 during our test kilometres. It is especially efficient on the road (5.3 litres at best) and a little higher in town (reaching 7.5 litres).

But what stands out in the driving experience this Opel Combo Life offers is its perfect setup for long road trips. It shows a genuinely satisfying composure for devouring kilometres with hardly any sense of fatigue.

Both the steering and the chassis are designed to maximise journey comfort, and the vehicle’s stability on all kinds of roads is praiseworthy. In a vehicle of this type, stability, good absorption of irregularities and clean cornering must come first, and in all our test situations, the Combo has responded perfectly.

That is, it is not only a useful car, with load capacity and seat space for travelling in complete comfort. The Opel Combo Life is a vehicle that delivers what is sought in a vehicle of its kind and, moreover, the diesel engine gives it an agility and composure on the asphalt worthy of better-established models on the market.

Put a Combo in your Life

Given the assurances of travelling aboard a Opel Combo Life, together with its versatile range and its all-round performance, the Opel family van is considered one of the most cost-effective choices in its segment. In addition, its starting price is another compelling reason to convince any undecided buyers.

With the current Opel discount campaign, the Combo Life with the 130 CV diesel engine is available from €18,180, provided the purchase is financed. A very attractive option is the Selective trim which, without any extras fitted, offers automatic light activation, air conditioning, sliding rear doors, a 3.5″ colour touchscreen and basic safety systems such as unintentional lane departure warning, fatigue detection and traffic sign recognition.

With this trim, although at an exceptional price, we may miss some extras such as the infotainment system, parking sensors with rear camera or even the panoramic roof with storage compartments included.

All of these can be added with the highest trim in the range, the Innovation, and some additional packs, to obtain a Opel Combo Life fully equipped in every respect for around €20,000. And if we want an even more versatile Combo Life, Opel offers its customers the IntelliGrip system (paired with All Season 205/60R16 tyres) to improve traction on slippery surfaces for an extra €240.

Technical specifications of this car

Small Passenger VanOpel Combo24 versions · from 28,102 €