Vauxhall Combo Life
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for a practical family vehicle that blends space with affordability? The Vauxhall Combo Life might be exactly what you need. This versatile MPV transforms the commercial Combo van into a passenger-focused family car, offering impressive space and flexibility at a competitive price point. It’s designed for families who prioritize practicality over prestige but still want modern features and comfort.

From the outside, the Combo Life makes no apologies for its commercial van origins. The tall, boxy silhouette maximizes interior space while keeping running costs reasonable. Inside, you’ll find a surprisingly well-appointed cabin with thoughtful storage solutions and flexible seating arrangements. The build quality feels solid, and the dashboard layout is refreshingly simple and user-friendly. Rivals like the Ford Tourneo and Citroen Berlingo offer similar concepts, but the Combo Life often undercuts them on price.

The real appeal of the Combo Life lies in its exceptional practicality. Whether you need five or seven seats, enormous boot space, or the ability to carry bulky items, this vehicle delivers. The driving experience is comfortable and refined, making family trips enjoyable rather than endurance tests. While it won’t win any beauty contests, the Combo Life excels where it matters most for families. It proves that choosing practicality doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or modern conveniences.

What's the Vauxhall Combo Life Like to Drive?

The Vauxhall Combo Life prioritizes efficiency and comfort over outright performance. The petrol engine lineup includes a 1.2-litre turbocharged unit producing around 110 horsepower, which feels adequate for most family driving situations. There’s also a 1.5-litre diesel option offering better fuel economy for higher mileage drivers. The engines are tuned for smooth, relaxed driving rather than sporty performance. Acceleration to 60mph takes around 12 seconds with the petrol engine, which is perfectly reasonable for this type of MPV.

Where the Combo Life really impresses is in its ride quality and comfort. The suspension does an excellent job of smoothing out road imperfections, making it genuinely pleasant to drive on longer journeys. The steering is light and easy, making parking and low-speed maneuvers effortless despite the vehicle’s size. Road noise is well-controlled, and the overall refinement level is impressive for a vehicle with commercial van roots. It feels composed and stable on the motorway, giving you confidence when carrying precious family cargo.

Inside the Vauxhall Combo Life: Comfort & Features

Step inside the Combo Life and you’ll be struck by the sheer amount of space available. The cabin feels genuinely airy and spacious, with excellent headroom and generous shoulder room for all occupants. The dashboard design is straightforward and functional, featuring a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The materials used feel solid and hard-wearing, clearly designed to withstand family life. While not premium, everything feels well put together and fit for purpose.

The seating is comfortable and supportive, with the driver’s seat offering good adjustment range. The second row provides excellent space for adults, while the optional third row is best suited to children or occasional adult use. Storage solutions are abundant throughout the cabin, with numerous cup holders, door pockets, and compartments for all the family essentials. The air conditioning works effectively in such a large space, and the overall noise levels are impressively low for a vehicle with commercial origins.

The Vauxhall Combo Life succeeds brilliantly at what it sets out to do. It offers exceptional space, impressive comfort, and excellent value for money. The ride quality is genuinely impressive, making it a pleasant companion on family trips. The running costs are low, and the reliability record is good. It’s not the most stylish vehicle on the road, but it more than makes up for this with its sheer practicality. The trade-offs are its commercial van origins, which some may find off-putting, and the relatively modest performance figures. However, if you’re a family that prioritizes space, comfort, and value over image, the Combo Life is hard to beat. It’s particularly well-suited to larger families, those with active lifestyles, or anyone who regularly needs to carry bulky items. The Combo Life proves that practical doesn’t have to mean boring or uncomfortable.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Vauxhall Combo Life?

The Combo Life excels in the running costs department, which is where many families will appreciate its commercial van heritage. The diesel engines are particularly impressive, achieving real-world fuel economy figures in the mid-50s MPG range. Even the petrol engines manage respectable figures in the mid-40s. Insurance groups are reasonable for such a practical vehicle, typically falling in groups 10-15. The purchase price represents excellent value, often undercutting similarly sized rivals by several thousand pounds.

Servicing costs are competitive, benefiting from Vauxhall’s extensive dealer network and the shared components with the commercial Combo van. This parts availability keeps maintenance affordable. The Combo Life also holds its value reasonably well, though depreciation is faster than some premium alternatives. For families prioritizing low running costs and maximum practicality, the numbers stack up very favorably. Car finance options are widely available, making monthly budgeting straightforward.

Vauxhall Combo Life Practicality & Boot Space

The Combo Life absolutely excels in the practicality stakes, which is its primary reason for being. Boot space ranges from 597 litres with all seats up to a van-like 2,126 litres with the rear seats folded. The load bay is perfectly square and flat, making it easy to load bulky items. The rear seats can be completely removed if needed, though they’re quite heavy. Sliding side doors are available on higher trim levels, making access easier in tight parking spaces.

The vehicle is available in both five and seven-seat configurations, with the seven-seater offering genuine flexibility for larger families. The extra seats fold flat into the floor when not needed. For families who regularly need to transport large items or multiple passengers, few vehicles can match the Combo Life’s versatility. It’s particularly popular with families who have active lifestyles, needing to transport sports equipment, bikes, or camping gear. Compared to other used Vauxhall cars, it offers unmatched space and practicality.

The Vauxhall Combo Life stands out in the MPV market by delivering exceptional practicality without breaking the bank. It successfully transforms commercial van architecture into a comfortable and capable family vehicle. The spacious interior, flexible seating arrangements, and impressive fuel economy make it ideal for families who need maximum utility from their vehicle.

You choose the Combo Life because you want a vehicle that puts function first. Its excellent ride quality, low running costs, and generous warranty make it a sensible long-term family companion. While it may not have the premium appeal of some rivals, it excels in the areas that matter most to practical families. For those seeking maximum space and value, particularly those considering cars under £25,000, the Combo Life deserves serious consideration.